Climate Activism1 Month Programme

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Welcome to Richmond Vale Academy

Established in 2002, our Academy is a registered non-profit research and training institution situated in the Chateaubelair area of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Since the opening more than 600 students from the Caribbean and across the world have participated in courses fighting global warming and global poverty.

We need to react and take action for a better world for all.

Reaction comes from a lover of life and when more directed, a believer of the value of changing the world.

I urge you to ask yourself “What kind of planet do we leave behind for the next generation?” and “What kind of generation do we leave behind for that planet?”

Joining one of our programs will equip you with knowledge; skills, understanding and experiences to better protect our precious planet.

Our current system has caused Global Warming which has created temperatures higher than ever before in human history, which again has created climate change disasters with millions of people suffering; along with an acidic ocean, loss of biodiversity and a toxic planet.

Our school includes people of all ages and nationalities and we walk the talk! We are a centre for sustainability in the Caribbean and at our campus we have renewable energy, rain water harvesting systems and we are moving towards producing our own food with free range chickens and sheep, agro-forestry and Permaculture gardening.

I am very happy you are reading this and I hope you will join our program!

You are needed to take collective action for humanity, shoulder to shoulder with the poor and protect the planet!

We welcome you

Stina Herberg

Director - Richmond Vale Academy

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St. Vincent andthe GrenadinesThe country of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), also known as 'Hairoun(a)' or 'Yurumein' is located to the south of the Caribbean Sea and has a population of 110,000 people. SVG is a small island nation, but its history is quite remarkable and its landscapes are breathtaking.

This country has had a long history of resistance against European imperial powers. The people of St. Vincent, the Caribs, managed to protect their homeland from French and British settlement for 200 years. They were so vigilant, this territory became the last of the major Caribbean islands to be colonised. During this struggle, African slaves escaping from shipwrecks or the surrounding islands were welcomed to settle on the islands. They mixed with the Caribs and are now known as the Black Caribs or the Garifuna people.

In 1719, Britain took control over the country and remained in power until 1979, when SVG claimed its independence and its right to control its own affairs.

The country consists of a main island called St. Vincent and 31 smaller islands and cays called The Grenadines.

Saint Vincent and theGrenadines is made upof 32 islands and cays,9 of which are inhabited

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The country imports the majority of the food, which heavily affects the local economy. Half of the population lives in rural areas of which 25% are employed in farming. The farming population is aging and few young people are going into farming.

The country is heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel for electricity generation, transportation and cooking. It has an energy mix of 90% fossil fuels and about 10% hydropower with an increasing contribution from solar photovoltaic (PV). Fortunately, this nation has many potential carbon neutral sources which include geothermal, solar and wind. In the mainland LPG gas for cooking and the use of home solar water heaters are common.

Currently, the government has installed solar panels in 3 government buildings and in a college; people are more aware of the benefits of using solar power. There are 3 hydropower plants in St. Vincent. With improvements and investment, they can provide up to 20% of the country's renewable energy. Additionally, the government has partnered with a private company to build a 10-15 MW geothermal plant which will be in operation by 2021.

When compared by area, SVG is ranked globally as the second most disaster prone country.

As part of the Caribbean, SVG is in the Atlantic Hurricane Belt. For this reason, damaging hurricanes and flash floods hit the area almost every year. Added to this annual threat, it is predicted that climate change will negatively affect the region by increased intensity of hurricanes, rising sea levels, decreasing rain falls and ascending temperatures.

With hurricanes and tropical storms getting stronger and more damaging, the country will see more landslides and soil and coastal erosion. Furthermore, sea level rise and storm surges will affect the towns and fishing villages all over the country. This will have a direct impact on 85% of the population.

The Saint Vincent Climate Compliance Conference 2012 – 2021

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has been devastated by severe weather disasters year after year over the past 10 years. In response, Richmond Vale Academy took decisive action by initiating a programme called “The Saint Vincent Climate Compliance Conference 2012 – 2021”.

The Climate Compliance Conference aims to bring people together to take action.

Since 2012, 300 national and international student and teachers together with thousands of people across St. Vincent and the Grenadines have answered to the threat of climate disaster.

During the past seven years:

• 30,000 trees have been planted.

• 30 tons of garbage has been collected from beaches, rivers and villages.

• 50 Organic Home gardens have been built with families in North Leeward.

• Six Bio gas digesters have been installed at farmers, schools and families.

• Numerous information leaflets, books, booklets, radio and TV programmes have been aired in St. Vincent and abroad, mobilising people to take local actions.

• Today more than 1000 people visit Richmond Vale Academy annually to learn about Global Warming and Climate Change; see results of the efforts made in the sustainable campus concerning renewable energy with solar and biogas, organic farming, agroforestry, permaculture, sustainable tourism and the importance of mangroves and reefs.

G e t I n v o l v e d !

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Become a Climate Activist in the Caribbean1 Month Study and Action Programme

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Starts in July and November each year

The 1 month courses were started in 2013, in which more than 100 people already joined.

This course is a great support to the overall goal of the St. Vincent Climate Compliance Conference 2012 – 2021 and participants have taken several actions such as beach clean ups, tree planting, teaching, supporting farmers and airing radio programs.

Week 1 and 2: Studies about Global Warming, Climate Change and an action at RVA

In this period you will have studies and courses about Global Warming, Climate Change, Sustainable Agriculture, Pollution, The Oceans, Biodiversity and what we can do together to mitigate and adapt to the challenges of Climate Change. You will also learn how to grow vegetables and herbs, make compost and develop the RVA forest garden.

Week 3 and 4: St. Vincent Climate Compliant

In this period you will be reaching out to the island of St. Vincent and its people, mobilizing people for collective and individual actions such as planting trees, growing healthy food, support food production with the sustainable home gardens teaching as well as carrying out actions to stop pollution.

From the next page is an example of the program's timetable.

WEEK ONE:

Global Warming and CC and the RVA CCC

Morning Afternoon Evening

Monday Walk to Dark View Falls

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday Documentary night

Friday

Saturday Culture Night

Brief introduction Tour of Richmond Vale

Academy

Welcome in the team Going through the

program plan Introduction to gardens

Introduction to GW & CC and the SVG CCC

Short films and discussion on

the team

16.00 Common Meeting – We present

ourselves and our program

Games Night and getting to know the other teams

Effects of Climate Change Tour – North Leeward with your Vincentian teacher

Lunch at Local farmer / Home Garden owner

Documentary Before the Flood

Common Action Kitchen Garden – Swale

(A– frame, digging)

The Role of Agriculture in GW and CC

Visit to Local Farms

Morning Class (St. Vincent history)

Lunch at Local farmer / Home Garden owner

SVG / Caribbean History

St. Vincent History with the Copeland /

Jack Hill Tour and visit to Rose Hall project

Documentary Yurumein

Nature Hike with picnic out

• Sugar Mill and Morne Ronde Point “Cupcake” Beach• Vermont Nature Trail

• 13 stones and Pito Waterfall

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WEEK TWO:

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RVA Climate Compliant

Morning Afternoon Evening

Monday

Tuesday Mardi Gras Parade, Kingstown Sports and Culture

Wednesday RVA CC Project Solar Installation Action

Thursday

Documentary night

Friday

Building Weekend

Morning Class Team Meeting and Evaluation

RVA CC Project Solar Installation Action

DocumentaryDo the Math

Documentary The Boy Who

Harnessed The Wind

Common Action Kitchen Garden –

Swale Digging

RVA CC Project Solar Installation Action

Morning Class

SVG CC Project – Deforestation

and tree planting

Introduction: RVA moringa and soursop campaign

SVG CC Project – Deforestation

and tree planting

• Deforestationin SVG and globally• Why plant trees

• Small tree plantingAction at RVA

Saturdayand Sunday

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WEEK THREE:

St. Vincent Climate Compliant – Richmond Farmers SupportMorning Afternoon Evening

Monday Free Day

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday Documentary night

Friday

Saturday Bonfire

Common Action Kitchen Garden –

Swale, Lasagne bed, planting

Common Meeting• Solar project

Short presentation• Present SVG CC Project

with your teacher

Sports and Culture –Craft workshop

SVG CC Project – DeforestationVisit to Botanical Gardens and Mangrove Forest

SVG CC Project – DeforestationShort investigation (gather photos, video, interviews)

Morning Class

SVG CC Project – Deforestation

Make a product on deforestation and tree planting awareness

(Article, poster, animation, video...)

DocumentaryWetlands, coasts

La Soufrière Trail and Biodiversity Studieswith our local guide

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St. Vincent Climate Compliant – Richmond Farmers SupportMorning Afternoon Evening

Monday

Tuesday Sports and Culture

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Morning Class

SVG CC Project Coastal

• Introduction and study• Prepare protection of Wetlands class

for youth group

Common ActionKitchen – using our

own produce (makingjam, pesto, bread...)

Common MeetingPresent

Coastal Project

SVG CCProject Coastal

Protection ofwetlands class for

youth group

SVG CCProject Coastal

Action withyouth group

Blog CaféSharing an experience

Common Action Kitchen Garden

Morning Class

Evaluation –Deforestation and

coastal project

Making a product(video, podcast,posters, articles,

animation, blog...)

Visit local radio stations

PrepareGoodbye Event

Making a product(video, podcast,posters, articles,

animation, blog...)

Bring it to the public

People's Exam

Presentation and Evaluation

GraduationRose Hall Drummers

Goodbye Event

WEEK FOUR:

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1. Why did you decide to become a volunteer?

KEVIN: I became a volunteer because I have a passion for farming. I love the experience.

REBECCA: I was doing a gap year after graduating from university and wanted to travel and get a more well rounded view of the world; the stuff they don't teach you at school!

ZSÓFIA: I wanted to become a volunteer because the demand and urge for doing something in return for Mother Earth had arisen in me. I’ve never done volunteer work before. And all the gifts and blessings Mother Nature is giving us every day I wanted to pay back, at least a little part of it, by this volunteer program at RVA. By learning more about Nature and how to protect it. I’ve learned all those things at RVA.

Case Storiesfrom Climate Activists Kevin

Saint KittsRebeccaEngland

ZsófiaHungary

2. What do you do now and what practical skills did you gain from this programme to prepare you for this?

KEVIN: I do exercise and do a little farming without chemicals, and I learned more about healthy living.

REBECCA: I have just started an EU programme in Renewable Energy. Richmond Vale gave me a global perspective of many environmental issues, which helped both with my application and the work I'm now doing. It also taught me to work with people from all around the world and to unite over common goals.

ZSÓFIA: I’m working in the hotel industry and as a sector where there are tons of food and garbage waste, by doing the program I am now able to show an example and use the principals at my workplace, how to do selective waste collection and recycling.

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3. What would be an important moment, event, achievement or person you met during your time in the programme?

KEVIN: For my one month at Richmond Vale Academy, I met different people from around the world who have so much love for our climate and organic lifestyle. My achievements from these persons is to be more healthy, watch what type of food you eat, be positive, love your island, love the animals, be helpful, be caring. The most important moment is when we went to different schools to educate the children about climate change.

REBECCA: An Important person I met during my time at Richmond Vale Academy would be my roommate Zsófia – she's a lovely funny person and we are still friends now :). The thing I am most proud of doing is our research into the successes and improvements of the home gardens and I really enjoyed getting to know the home gardeners.

My favourite memory from my time there is going to the beach to celebrate after the Building Weekend.

ZSÓFIA: I believe in each and every person we meet along our ways is important in a sense. There is a time and a place for you to meet and whoever you meet teaches you something, which you carry with you and built into your personality. I met many unique people in St. Vincent. Our biggest achievement as a team was that in our main project we built a dry toilet, which is functional for the RVA School up to today (I very much hope so at least – haha) and a great benefit for the nature as well.

4. Has your work as a Climate Activist impacted your decisions for your future?

KEVIN: Yes, it really impacted my decisions, in which we can try to prevent all this bad living and practice of our health, make our future brighter and in a better way for future generations to come.

REBECCA: Yes, it has made me far more conscious of the footprint we leave on the world and how different issues such as politics and economics have environmental impacts too.

ZSÓFIA: Definitely. It’s all about awakening after all. The program was a great practice for me to open up My eyes for many things, surrounding us in our every day lives. We might just always be too busy with our super intellectual world to pay attention and hear the nature crying out for awareness from its inhabitants. I have learned from the Vincentians a more simple, more humble lifestyle, working together with my environment, not just taking advantage of it and taking everything out of it and how it can be beneficial for me. I discovered how can I BE BENEFICIAL FOR IT. And it is indeed having me living a life with satisfaction and wholesomeness.

Thank you for the time at RVA. It was a lesson everyone should go to learn, because it helped me to become a better human being. At least I firmly believe so. Blessings � �

1. Why did you decide to become a volunteer?

ACADIA: I decided to be a volunteer because I wanted to learn how to help people and the environment in the best way. I believe that you can never really help a community until you fully understand their struggles and needs. As a volunteer, I was able to work along side the community in Saint Vincent and help them gain knowledge and a better understanding of how to improve their surrounding environment while also helping themselves to sustainable, natural food.

THELMA: I decided to be a volunteer because it was important for me to do something for the nature, besides from getting to know new people and live a new experience of life.

TISHORN: I decided to become a volunteer because I was very interested in the program and to become more educated, so I can care better for my surroundings and make a positive change in this world.

2. What do you do now and what practical skills did you gain from this programme to prepare you for this?

ACADIA: I have been invited to be a Peace Corps Volunteer for the Agriculture Extension Program in Ghana, starting in January. The skills I obtained through volunteering at Richmond Vale Academy helped me to be qualified and accepted as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Those skills include permaculture garden design, immersing myself into a new culture, working with locals, teamwork, and taking a step back from my life to try and understand and accept new surroundings and people. I believe these skills are pertinent for any kind of future job one may apply for.

THELMA: I work as an architect and when possible I try to make sustainable designs. Besides this my love for nature increases every day so I talk with people about how important it is to take care of the planet and protect nature.

TISHORN: I am a full time farmer, as well as a part time assistant manager of the SVG Horse School at Richmond Vale Academy.

The practical skills I gained from the program, which prepared me for what I am doing now, was to learn how to farm and care for the entire ecosystem. This has brought me to the place I am now and I am fully aware of my purpose. On top of that, I got assistance from a Climate Team at Richmond Vale Academy, to build up my current farm and that taught me how to grow organically and work with nature.

Being part of the SVG Horse school has been my dream for many years because I love horses and working with Stina gives me a lot of knowledge and experience in horsemanship.

Case Storiesfrom Climate Activists Acadia

USAThelmaBrazil

TishornSt. Vincent

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3. What would be an important moment, event, achievement or person you met during your time in the programme?

ACADIA: I believe one of my greatest achievements through this program was connecting with the locals throughout our process and building a home garden for them. The couple we worked with welcomed our thoughts and ideas with open arms, while we took into consideration what their wants and needs were. They worked hard along side us while we built them their home garden. However, what was more important to me was that they socialized with us, they came back to the academy and played cards with us, they sang songs with us, and we enjoyed our time together. We created a special bond with them that differed from any other bond I’ve had with any other people I’ve worked with before.

THELMA: All people that I met at the program were very important to me because each one taught me something.

The person that I can highlight is Stina who is responsible for this amazing program and leads it with determination and competence.

TISHORN: Learning about Global Warming and Climate Change made a big impact on me. I was shocked to find out how much the Global Community has contributed to this and how big of an impact it has on small island nations like St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Working with other people and planting trees, learning that we can do something to help change the effects of Global Warming; that was a very powerful thing to learn because it means that we humans are not helpless.

4. Has your work as a Climate Activist impacted your decisions for your future?

ACADIA: My decisions have definitely been impacted by my experience as a climate activist. I am now more passionate about reducing the impacts of climate change in areas that need the most help. My decision to apply to the peace corps was mainly motivated by my experience at Richmond Vale Academy. I now understand how much help is needed throughout the world and I want to help as much as possible.

THELMA: I see myself doing more volunteer work because the experience that I had at RVA was unforgettable.

TISHORN: Yes it has. I am now working my dream job and I am closely connected to my farm and the community at Richmond Vale Academy, which I love so much and which taught me to be more independent.

I have improved my self-esteem and discovered some new gifts and talents in myself that I never knew existed like singing, writing and socializing with people from all over the world.

I can see myself contributing to Richmond Vale Academy and to my country in the years to come.

Finances

The programme costs USD 1,100 as a student payment. This covers your basic expenses for the 1 month at Richmond Vale Academy, which includes a shared room with another person, 3 meals a day and programme expenses.

Besides this you need some personal spending money as well as tickets.

There are ways to solve the economy that you might not have thought about, so please don’t hesitate to contact us!

It is possible to do Scuba diving during the 1 month. If you are interested, please ask for more information.

Enrolment

● Contact us by email and we will email you an info pack with detailed information.

● Connect with us on Skype, Facebook or WAPP for a short talk about the programme and answer any immediate questions you might have.

● Fill out the application form online if you want to go ahead.

● Arrange for an online meeting where we present the programme, discuss the requirements and answer your questions. During this meeting you will also get closer to deciding which team you want to join.

● We will give you an alumni with whom you can communicate throughout the process.

● Paperwork & Payment. When we have talked, we will send you the payment methods and enrolment papers.

● Reserve your spot. When we have received the initial USD 500 enrolment fee and the signed enrolment papers you have reserved a spot on the team.

● Prepare your Travel. Now it is time to get ready for a life-changing journey! We will be available to support you throughout the process.

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Finances and Enrolment

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CONTACT:

Else Marie Pedersen • Recruitment ManagerPhone / WhatsApp: +1 784 492 7977 Email: info@richmondvale.org

Chateaubelair • St. Vincent and the Grenadines

www.richmondvale.org