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Marine Turtle Newsletter 63:14-15, © 2001

Nevis Summer Library Program: "Endangered Sea Turtles"

Valerie Sargeant
Librarian, Nevis Public Library Prince William Street, Charlestown, NEVIS, Eastern Caribbean

The Nevis Public Library conducted its sixth annual "Children Library Annual Summer Programme" (CLASP) from 12-23 July 1993 [N.B. CLASP is an Environmental Awareness Programme held in each nation of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). It was initiated by OECS/NRMU with technical assistance from the Federal Republic of Germany.] This year, two one-week programmes were held with the theme, "Sea Turtles: An Endangered Species." Sixty children attended the week-long session for 8-9 year olds and 70 children attended the programme week for those 10 years and older. This year's programmes were the most successful ones held since the inception of CLASP in 1988. The success was due to (i) thorough training, researching and planning on the part of the library staff and resource persons on this very important topic, (ii) comprehensive technical assistance in the form of slides, books, teaching aids, games, colouring books, and staff training sessions from Dr. Karen Eckert, Executive Director of the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), a UNEP-sponsored project in our region for which St. Kitts-Nevis is a participant, and (iii) the willing help of some youngsters who assisted as helpers.

Participants of CLASP were involved in sessions where they learnt about different types of turtles (e.g., sea turtles, tortoises), chelonian anatomy, different species of sea turtle, sea turtle life cycles, why sea turtles are "endangered", etc. All these sessions were taught using slides, videos, games, talks, quizzes, and/or field trips. The participants were also involved in song and poetry writing; letter writing to fishermen, Ministers of Government and hoteliers; dancing; poster making; arts and crafts; and theatre (including home-made costumes). At the closing ceremony, the children sang, danced, and recited their poems. The two children with the best letters were allowed to read them to the audience. After the well-attended ceremony the audience viewed the display of art, crafts, letters, games and teaching aids. In this way, our entire community became more aware of the plight of sea turtles in our area. I would like to leave you with a poem written by Petal Parry (9 years old):