Handing Over Time: Reflections and New Horizons

After weeks of hard work by CIEL's apprentices, Trevor's house is now ready to be completed by Grenada's Ministry of Mobilisation, Implementation and Transformation.

MIT will provide critical support by bringing in private contractors to complete interior partitions,  painting and adding bathroom facilities which ensures that the home met both functional and aesthetic standards.

This partnership exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration in addressing housing and resilience challenges, blending governmental resources with community-driven initiatives to create sustainable, hurricane-resilient homes.

We're hopeful that this will set a foundation for scaling this initiative across Grenada, enhancing local capacity and community resilience.

As we celebrate this milestone, it's also an opportune moment to reflect on what we at CIEL have learned during the process of building two hurricane-resilient structures and what this could mean for future projects.

As we approach 2025, we’re eager to share how the insights we've gained since Beryl struck almost six months ago will shape the next phase of our Carpentry Apprenticeship Program.

What’s Next? Future Directions for CIEL’s Program

1. Strategic Planning Phase: A 6-week planning period is essential to address the challenges identified. This includes securing agreements with stakeholders, refining the apprenticeship curriculum, and establishing clear operational policies and contracts. This structured approach will ensure smoother execution of future builds.

   
   

2. Enhanced Training Programs: Future projects will incorporate a dual-focus curriculum, emphasizing technical skills like hurricane-resilient design and soft skills such as problem-solving and leadership. This holistic training will prepare apprentices for long-term success.

   
   

3. Expanding Partnerships:B uilding on the success of our collaboration with MIT, we aim to engage additional governmental and non-governmental organizations to expand resources and expertise. Partnerships will also focus on scaling the program to other parts of Grenada and potentially the broader Caribbean.

   
   

4. Eco-Friendly Innovations: Future homes will integrate more sustainable building practices, including the use of renewable materials and energy-efficient designs. This aligns with CIEL’s mission to promote environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

   
   

5. Community Feedback Loop: Listening to community members has been invaluable. We will establish formal feedback mechanisms to ensure future projects are even more aligned with local needs and expectations.

Acknowledgments and Looking Ahead

We extend our deepest gratitude to Black Curatorial, Windward Aid, Mount Pure, MIT and all the individuals who contributed to this initiative.

Trevor's new home is not just a structure; it is a testament to what can be achieved when communities come together with purpose and determination.

As we move forward, we’re inspired by the possibilities. With the lessons learned and a clear strategy in place, we’re confident that this program will not only build homes but also foster resilience, self-sufficiency, and hope in communities across Grenada and beyond.