The Sandals Foundation has joined local NGOs Hand2Earth and Grow In Time’s Vetiver Craft Project , making a US $10,000 investment into the Vetiver livelihood prisoner rehabilitation and re-socializing training programmes.

The investment – which will support Phase 1 of a 2-part project -  will see the development of a Vetiver Heritage Craft and Design Centre to create an experiential space  designed to educate the public about the use of vetiver grass in livelihood creation and land conservation. It will also showcase vetiver products made by prisoners and ex-prisoners of H.M.Prisons Kingstown and Belle Isle Correctional Facility. Income generated from products is channelled to support prisoners and their families as well rehabilitation of prisoners through skills and entrepreneurship training, including a vetiver farm project at Belle Isle.

Vonnie Roudette, Project Designer and Manager at Hand2Earth said, “Through the creation of this educational gallery, we hope to  increase the potential for ex-prisoners to earn a living through the sale of products and train between 5 – 10 at-risk youth in vetiver craft production. The support from Sandals Foundation is enabling us to set up a craft production team of ex-prisoners to support the prison team production. It will also provide a physical space to interface with customers, host eco or environmental workshops, film screenings, skills training and product development workshops for artisans.”

Started in 2015, the Vetiver prisoner rehabilitation programme has trained over 160 prisoners in craft skills, sustainable farming, land conservation and eco-entrepreneurship. With teamwork and collaboration at its core, this project offers prisoners an alternative life view through improved communication skills and self-esteem, and has seen a very low rate of reoffending of 3%. Hand2Earth has also introduced a mentorship literacy program for prisoners.

We are very grateful for the ongoing support of the Ministry of National Security, Prison Superintendent Dwayne Bailey and a dedicated officer attached to the program, Mr. Kevly Gould. 

Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation says its partnership with Hand2Earth’s rehabilitation programme forms a core part of its community development efforts in islands in which it operates. “Our primary goal at the Sandals Foundation is to invest in sustainable projects and programmes that empower lives, and in this case – provide second chances. We were very inspired by the work being done by Hand2Earth and the wide reach of its tentacles to support not only livelihood development, but agricultural output and by extension food security. Together, we will help some of our most marginalized members of society find purpose and engage some of our at-risk young people to channel their energies into meaningful activities.”

Additionally, the Sandals Foundation support will also see to strengthening the livelihood capacity of farmers who grow vetiver as a natural land conservation resource and a key element of St. Vincent’s agri-heritage.

“Vetiver is a low maintenance grass that offers a wide range benefits to the island’s agricultural output,” says Roudette, “It effectively prevents soil erosion when planted along the contours of sloping  farmlands. St. Vincent has a tradition of using vetiver in farming that dates back 100 years but the knowledge was lost and we are intent on reinstating it to conserve and regenerate healthy soil and improve crop yields.”

Since 2018, Hand2Earth has set up 8 vetiver nurseries in St Vincent’s north leeward area, and trained 55 farmers in Vetiver Systems Technology. Twenty-five (25) farmers have been supported to set up vetiver systems and report success with complete cessation of soil erosion on their farmlands. Farmers have also noted improvements to ground water retention which has positively impacted their crop yields. The development of an education Vetiver Heritage Site in Troumaca has captured the interest and support of the north leeward communities from Coulls Hill to Petit Bordel.

Vetiver is also great organic fertilizer, a deterrent to pests and rodents, and effectively de-removes toxins such as heavy metals and chemical pollutants form water and soil. Because of its high bio-mass and deep root system, vetiver can capture carbon dioxide from the air and deposit it deep underground adding to climate change mitigation efforts. Traditionally, the plant was also used for roof thatching, floor mats in general homes, and as a natural ingredient in the clay ‘daub’ that form walls and plasters of farmers’ early dwellings.