CAUSES@ANTIGUANICE.COM

The Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown has come on board to support a unique micro-enterprise project aimed at improving livelihoods while contributing to solid waste management. 

The “Beach Bottle Bead Project”, which is partly funded by the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network - WIDECAST - will set up a micro-enterprise opportunity for persons interested in creating unique craft from recycled glass bottles. 

To initiate the project eleven artisans were trained in the art of creating glass beads from trash glass such as wine and beer bottles and “beach glass”, broken glass bottles often left on the beach and which over time become eroded and the edges smoothed out by the action of the wave. 

The artisans were also taught techniques in how to mount the beads to create unique and original jewellery pieces.  Through the “Beach Bottle Bead Project” the artisans are provided with all the equipment necessary to set up and operate a bottle beads workshop and store, including torches, a kiln and jewellery making kits.

The workshop, which is located at the Gilberts Agriculture and Rural Development Centre, will be made available to the trained crafters at a reasonable fee so that they may continue to create the bottle beads jewellery. 
Arrangements are also being made with the Environmental Awareness Group to create a special “turtle line” which can be sold to raise funds for the EAG’s sea turtle conservation programme.  For more information on the workshop or to contact the artists, persons are asked to contact the Antigua and Barbuda Handicrafters Association through the Cultural Development Division.
 
The president and board of Rotary Sundown were excited to assist in the worthwhile venture as it furthers the club’s demonstrated commitment to the management of solid waste through recycling endeavours while contributing to sustainable livelihood initiatives. 

Rotary Sundown operates the Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Centre located at Powells, which currently recycles waste plastic, aluminium, cardboard and other materials.