When my good friend Jean Robinson from the J.J. Robinson Trust asked me if you would give some paper mache classes during the summer camp, I did not hesitate to accept.
Please go to http://www.jjrtrust.com to find out more about the incredible work the trust does in Grenada. All the kids get support from the trust without the support they would not be able to go to school. Most of the kids do not have enough money to buy anything to do craft, not even paper, crayons and scissors.

However when I learned that I would have between 50 and 60 kids, ages 9 to 18 and a mix of boys and girls I thought paper mache might not work especially as we only had 2 classes each 1.5 hours.

Due to that mix, I thought I would need about 4 different projects so the kids could decide what to make. As an island Grenada has a waste problem and I like to use anything that helps to protect the environment.

The internet is full of great up-cycle idea and with the input and help from friends I decided to make:

– coin purse out of juice carton
– paper beads
– plastic bottle windmill
– wind chimes using bamboo

As I have never taught craft before one can imagine that I would a bit nervous but also excited when finally the day for the summer camp arrived.

With the help of other volunteers and some of the older children we quickly set-up our tables, put the materials out, explained what could be done and off they went to work.

What happened exceeded my expectations! The kids very quickly got themselves busy with all the tools and materials and explored, worked and let all their creativity out. It was pure joy to watch them.