Celebrating 9 Years Of Change With YOU!

CELEBRATING 9 YEARS OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

This Earth Day (April 22^nd) we celebrated One Eleuthera Foundation’s 9^th Anniversary and the continued fulfillment of our mission to strengthen, connect and plan with people and organizations to create sustainable change on Eleuthera.

This journey started with a Shared Vision and a resolute decision to empower our local communities to become thriving, self-sufficient ecosystems driving social change and spurring economic growth.

Reflecting on the impact and progress of nearly a decade we’re deeply grateful to you, our faithful partners, for believing with us, generously supporting and joining our mission. Your continued support is making a long-term impact in the lives of many.

Today, as we work in unison to stabilize, rebound and navigate the ravaging effects of a lingering health pandemic and a significantly diminished Tourism industry, we’re also embracing our resiliency and ingenuity. The work OEF set out to do all those years ago has found an even higher purpose at a time when we need it most. OEF is providing real hope and solutions, momentum, and a clear path to a more sustainable future amidst a period of global recovery.

At the top of our priority list is food sovereignty, access to affordable housing, increasing employment outcomes through innovation and skills training, and strengthening our core programs and organizations.

With the revitalizing energy of Spring surging, we excitedly look forward to the new capital projects breaking ground at our CTI campus in Rock Sound, including the debut of our Cravo Cooling House and Farmers Market and the finalization of our affordable, sustainable home prototypes.

Together we pledge to continue this mission by reimagining, planning, strengthening and connecting for a better, brighter future. We hope you enjoy reading about some of the hope-inspiring projects that are sustaining and strengthening our communities, thanks in great part to you!

With gratitude,

Shaun D. Ingraham
President and CEO

The Studio for Sustainable and Affordable Housing is underway. This innovative project will encompass research, design and construction of affordable, sustainable housing models, providing access to low-cost home options for Eleutherans.

The design and selection process will be driven by research into several variables: environmental impact, resiliency, comfort, functionality, constructability, and affordability. This project has engaged Bahamian and international university students and sector-specific professionals to conceptualize and construct the housing models with Michael Singer Studios acting in an advisory role.

Phase one began last fall with students from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), University of The Bahamas (UB) and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) creating proposals for designs.

The chosen prototypes will be constructed on a demonstration site at our CTI, Rock Sound campus and will serve as an interactive “Live and Learn” property for sharing all forms of data collected from the project.

Consideration will also be given to making these homes hurricane resilient as The Bahamas has experienced a significant uptick in catastrophic, high-intensity hurricanes in recent years. Methods for sustainably refurbishing existing homes will also be explored.

BIG NEWS FROM THE FARM

Construction is underway on our revolutionary one-acre Cravo Cooling House. This capital project is a major development for our organization and will accelerate progress toward achieving national food security and true food sovereignty for our island and country.

The “Cravo” differs from a traditional Greenhouse in that the roof and walls are fully retractable. This game-changing innovation allows automated control over temperature, precipitation, wind and sun radiation exposure. In turn, this will create the optimum climatic conditions for growing vibrant, healthy produce while supporting year-round harvesting. Crops traditionally grown in only the cooler winter months will now be viable in the hotter summer months.

The Cravo structure will also protect crops from extreme weather and hurricane-force winds. Should windspeeds increase beyond 130 mph, (Category 4 Hurricane) the Cravo’s roof and walls will retract completely to save the structure from destruction.

Hydroponic production will be used inside the Cravo to grow leafy greens, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and more. Local farmer training will be integrated as new techniques are introduced. The Cravo build-out is expected to be completed before the end of summer. Stay tuned for more exciting developments coming soon!

Our new campus Farmers Market facility is completed. The newly refurbished 1,930 square foot, open-air facility will house fresh produce harvested directly from our farm and provide easy access to the public. This extensive 12-week renovation project employed skilled graduates from our very own CTI Carpentry Program.

Starting at the end of May local farmers and artisans will be invited to participate in our cooperative community Farmer’s Market. Here they’ll be able to sell their produce and showcase native food products alongside authentic Bahamian handicrafts and art.

This multipurpose building will also be used to facilitate training and education programs for local farmers to enhance their farming knowledge and business acumen.

Right now it’s harvest season on the farm and many local restaurants and food stores are taking advantage of the flavorful, premium produce and competitive prices. For local orders and deliveries of fresh produce and organic eggs call 242-825-4053.

The Retreat is back in business! We are grateful that Tourism is rebounding in Eleuthera as visitors begin returning to our shores for safe and relaxing holidays.

We look forward to welcoming new and returning guests for a one-of-a-kind rejuvenating stay with us! Our quaint bungalow-style, 16-room Retreat doubles as the only hospitality and hotel training facility in The Bahamas. Here, students of CTI are able to gain valuable hands-on training and experience while delighting our guests!

Each spacious, well-appointed room is newly refurbished and offers modern turnkey amenities, privacy, and all the comforts of home. Guests can enjoy outdoor activities such as nature walks, swimming in our Olympic-sized pool, and tours of our on-site farm.

Coming Soon!  Healthy farm-to-table cuisine will soon be available at our signature Tea Room restaurant, conveniently located at The Retreat.

For bookings email: retreat@oneeleuthera.org

CTI-H.I.T.S. SPRING 2021

Through our partnership with the Harbour Island Trade School, the CTI-H.I.T.S. program will celebrate the graduation of another cohort of Carpentry and Basic Culinary students next month. The spring courses which ran for twelve weeks and nine weeks respectively provided students with theoretical and practical training but also an immersive and enjoyable experience.

Each course featured local guest instructors who added value and specific industry knowledge to the curriculum.  As part of the service-learning component, the Carpentry students built community picnic tables and benches. They also restored the outdoor stage at the Catholic Church Parish in Harbour Island and constructed a much-needed fence for the Harbour Island Green School.

The Culinary class partnered with students of the Harbour Island Green School to put on a culinary fundraiser under the theme: “Celebrating Black Cultures Around The World.” This collaborative event raised $900 with proceeds going toward the school’s “Green Friday” initiative, an ongoing zero-waste project.

Core Partner SEEP Hires A New Administrator

In February, South Eleuthera Emergency Partners, (SEEP) welcomed a new Administrator, Mrs. Shakera Carey-Gardiner to the team. Mrs. Carey-Gardiner assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations, recruitment and training of new volunteers to strengthen the organization’s emergency response capabilities.

Ms. Carey-Gardiner has over ten years of experience in Local Government, community development and has held leadership roles in leading civic organizations. Building on SEEP’s strong foundation, she will also work to implement new community programs and assist in raising awareness of the organization’s work within the community.

With the organization’s expansion in the North and the continued implications of COVID-19 affecting the entire island, the demands on SEEP have grown. Adding a full-time Administrator has assisted greatly in building the team’s capacity and reach as the organization strives to give Eleutherans equal access to life-saving ambulances and fire trucks.

The 2021 Hurricane Season starts June 1^st. SEEP will also be proactively preparing its disaster response protocols and hurricane preparedness plans. The mission is to safeguard residents before and after the storm and where possible mitigate the severe impact and disruption that ensues after a natural disaster.SEEP receives no Government subsidy. This volunteer-run program requires ongoing operational support and donations to continue providing essential emergency services to our community.

THANK YOU! to all who have made gifts to sustain and expand these essential services.

The first SEEP training exercise of 2021 took place in March providing First Responders from across the island with a refresher course in essential emergency response skills. Practical training included CPR, First Aid, and what to do to save lives within the first critical minutes of a medical emergency.

The training was conducted by Mr. Jai Leah, Trainer & Head Paramedic at Family Medicine Center, Rock Sound.

Today we mourn the passing, but also celebrate the life and valuable contribution of our dear friend, Mrs. Sally Searle. For over ten years Mrs. Searle was a part of our family, generously supporting the vision and mission of the One Eleuthera Foundation and Centre For Training and Innovation. She was a compassionate and spirited individual, committed to living life with vigour and zest. Mrs. Searle loved Eleuthera, and more importantly Eleutherans.

Having made Eleuthera her second home over 50 years ago, there was a deep-seated connection and heart-bond to her island community and its people. She found ways to make a positive difference by championing important causes and generously supporting not only our organization but numerous others.  Along the way, she formed meaningful relationships with members of our team that will surely leave a true and lasting impact. Mrs. Searle enjoyed her final sunset, here on her beloved island of freedom on May 2nd, 2021.

We join in sending our sincere, heartfelt condolences to her children and family as we reflect on precious memories and continue to give thanks for her life; one that was life well-lived.

Thank you for supporting all the initiatives outlined above and others designed to help local families while building stronger communities. With your generous support in the coming year, we will continue to INNOVATE, RESPOND and PROVIDE SUPPORT to IMPROVE the lives of Eleutherans and others throughout The Bahamas.