SP GRADUATION CEREMONY

May 1998 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

STRAW PLAITING & WEAVING GRADUATION CEREMONY

"Pass on the skills you have learned. Let them be something you teach your children as they grow." With these inspiring words Minister of Labour, Immigration & Training Theresa Moxey sent 29 Sandy Point residents into a new phase of their lives with new skills and new earning potential.

The occasion was the Graduation Ceremony of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation Straw Plaiting and Weaving course, held at Mount Zion Church in Sandy Point on 8th April. The graduates had taken a two week course which covered the harvesting, curing and preparation of plait as well as the construction of useful and ornamental artifacts.

MC for the evening was Ms Donnalee Bowe, Senior Business Advisory Services Officer of BAIC, who congratulated both the graduates and their instructors: Ms Eloise Smith and Ms Bernice McQueen. She had never before seen such dramatic progress as the Sandy Point class achieved.

Island Administrator Everette Hart noted that his mother had been a great plait woman on Exuma. Congratulations were also extended by Craig Woods, General Manager Out Islands for the Ministry of Tourism, and MP Robert Sweeting. The main address was delivered by Hon Alvin Smith, Executive Chairman of BAIC, who delineated the history of straw work and his Ministry's efforts to promote the industry. But, as all but two of the graduates were women, it was Madam Minister's words they wanted to hear.

She first of all congratulated all those associated with the course, especially the instructors,saying, "We have added a whole new sense of pride in Sandy Point." Minister Moxey-Ingraham noted that the craft of straw working had come to The Bahamas through both African and European sources. "People today travel far and wide and they have an appreciation of indigenous hand-made crafts. These are special to them. Take advantage of the new trend. With the opening of Disney on Castaway Cay you have a tremendous opportunity to benefit financially.

But there were also words of admonition. "Your new skill depends on the health of the Bahamian forest - the bush. Use it well and it will sustain you - and generations of Abaconians to come. Harvest carefully and do not kill the palm trees." She also asked that the graduates explore the possibility of a cooperative to assist them all. With their knowledge of and access to the sea and its bounty, it may well be that distinctive straw products could be made that displayed their heritage.

Minister Moxey-Ingraham then presented handsome certificates to the graduates. The gathering was entertained by the Voices of Zion and Bruce Lightbourne responded on behalf of the graduates. The vote of thanks was given by Benjamin Pinder, Chief Counsellor for South Abaco. Refreshments followed.

There was a stunning display of work done by the graduates at James A Pinder Primary School. The baskets, hats, dolls and other straw items looked as professional - perhaps more so - than those sold in Nassau. Once again the people of Sandy Point had demonstrated they could do anything they set their mind to.

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