The Barbados Bay Fish Market

20 years ago when we began working as CESO volunteers in Tobago, our apartment looked out over Barbados Bay where we watched fishermen leave at dawn to fish and bring in their catch mid to late afternoon to sell on their crudely built stalls.  They had to outsource ice to keep their catch fresh on their boats (perogs).  We had worked at FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in Rome and knew of a program that they might be able to utilize to gain funding to build a market with the best of facilities (ice maker, stainless steel cutting tables, running water, individual lockers, washrooms, changing cubicles, air conditioning), Fishermen needed to organize and involve the Dept of Fisheries because any initiative like this must be directed by government.  So, over several years, meetings were held, the organization strengthened, representatives were chosen to meet with government, approval was sought.  It all seemed quite futile when, to our surprise we received an email with a picture attached of the facility being built!  

Below are pictures of the facility as we found it this time.

Barbados Bay Fishermen's Market Feb 2020

Although the sign says Open each morning and Closed each night,
the door is locked and no one is there during the day!

We had a great visit with one of the fishermen, Mr Olivery.  He will be
80 years old in a few months but he regularly takes his boat out
fishing.  He also enjoys his regular dance night each week!

The slide share (link below) includes pictures of the boats at Barbados Bay.  Activity is much the same as we experienced when there pictures were taken.  Fishermen still sell at their stalls as shown.

https://www.slideshare.net/LydiaSorflaten/a-taste-of-tobago

Elijah, Veanne's son!

It was through a post I put up on Facebook that Elijah contacted me.  We first met Elijah at Barbados Bay when he was four years old.  Veanne, his Mother, and he brought us shells.  This was the beginning of the 20+ year relationship with Veanne.  What a lovely surprise it was to have a message from Elijah via Facebook.  He was very surprised to find that we were in Tobago.  He was enthusiastic about coming to our place for lunch.

What a great person!  Veanne was so proud of him and rightfully so.  Elijah is working in an office at the quarry just up the road from where we were staying.  He came on his motorbike for lunch.  

Veanne's brother (Elijah's uncle) has helped him rebuild a motor bike like the one in the picture below (which is his uncles) that Elijah presently rides to work daily.  Elijah showed us pictures of the various stages of the rebuilding.  What a transformation!  

Elijah is taking an introductory Health and Safety course. This is a field that he is interested in.  I was so impressed with Elijah.  I know he will do well.  Great personality, pleasing manner, good values.  

I first met Elijah 20 years ago on Barbados Bay Beach. 

Elijah arriving at our apartment driving the motor bike he restored.

Desmond Solomon update with link to Farm Garden Project in Tobago 2010

A very significant person over the 20 years we have been coming to Tobago has been Desmond Solomon. He spied us this time on Granby Beach on Saturday, Allan walking and me swimming. To understand the depth of background, I went back to a Power Point we put together that summarizes well the Farm Development work we have been involved in here in Tobago mainly with Desmond. The link to this will be at the end of this post.
So, to update. Desmond decided to take a government job with WASA (Water and Sewage Authority) after farming a few years. Steady income and reliable work (and Desmond is a great worker!) appealed.
He has been working for WASA for a good 17 years.
On Feb 4, 2017, he had a bad accident on the job. He was using a jackhammer to break down a wall, The jack hammer hit rebar, jumped back and went through his safety boot and foot. When he removed his boot, blood spurted straight up. At the hospital here in Tobago, they bound his foot without cleaning the debris from the wound. After some days, he made his was to Trinidad. The doctors there were extremely concerned. Gangarine had set in. Two surgeries were performed. He said he took pills by the handfull. He was in hospital for one month and off work for one year. Through benefits from his job, he was continued to be paid. As yet he has not been compensated for his hospital bills.
He showed us his foot. Two toes have no feeling but otherwise, the foot looks really good. He is back to work and in his usual great spirit.

https://www.slideshare.net/LydiaSorflaten/farm-garden-project-in-tobago

Lessons learned in developing a small farm garden in Tobago. Our experience might be of interest as crop growing in the tropics differs greatly from our Canad…

Trinidad Tobago 2020: San Fernando, a visit with Kathy Ann.

A visit to Trinidad Tobago for us was one of reconnecting with friends we have made over the 20 years we have been making trips to TT.

Our trip did not happen as initially planned.  Our flight from Halifax to Toronto was cancelled  Feb. 6th because of a snow storm that grounded all flights out of the Stanfield International Airport.  We had booked with West Jet that offers a direct flight to Port of Spain once a week from Toronto.  The next week was fully booked so Feb 20th was set for flying to Toronto.
Mike, Louisa, Oliver, Owen and Enna Mae came to the Hilton to spend a great evening with Buppy and Nana.  The highlight was the 'pool' for them.  For us, seeing them.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157987675632394&set=pcb.10157987686202394&type=3&theater
The next change in plans came when there were no flights to Tobago from Trinidad for the next three days due to Carnival.  So, we enjoyed the luxury of the Trade Winds Hotel in San Fernando.  We have a great taxi driver and friend in Trinidad, Earl.  Earl met the plane, delivered us to the hotel and was back again the next day to take us to San Fernando and Siparia where we had done  a CESO assignment at the Agape Center for the Deaf 15 years ago.  We contacted Kathy Ann DeBarry to make sure she would be home and booked Earl for the next day.    It was 15 years ago that we met Kathy when she volunteered to help us with workshops in jewelry making.  She and family had just moved in across the street from the Agape Center.  She used the skills learned, made and sold jewelry and lifted her family.  Our visit with her in 2017 is found in the following link:   https://sorflatentravels.blogspot.com/2017/02/ 
How have things changed?  Kathy Ann, besides making and selling jewelry has a new business.  She propogates and sells plants.
Probably the biggest accomplishment is seeing that their two children got a good education and are gainfully employed. Kamisha, 24 and trained as a Primary teacher and is in her 4th year full time teaching.  Kyle is 19. His interest in music (he was learning guitar when we were here last) has led him to a position in the military band.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157993652517394&set=pcb.10157993694967394&type=3&theater