OAS SOURCE project to continue this week
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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(L-R) OAS Rep Starret Greene and Design and Marketing Consultant Lyn Nelson
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts-Nevis Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) is gearing up for the continuation of its Supporting Our Caribbean Enterprises (SOURCE) project in the first quarter of 2009, thus enabling hundreds of skilled local artisans to enhance the quality of their products.
OAS Country Representative Starrett Greene told SKNVibes that the Organization is anticipating the arrival of Design and Merchandising Consultant Lyn Nelson, this Saturday (Jan. 17) to canvass with local artisans during her second product design visit to the Federation.
Nelson visited the country in October of last year and began preliminary discussions with artisan groups on their current product lines in a one-on-one design workshop aimed at improving their artwork.
Greene said, “This second trip to the Federation will be supported by the American Express Foundation, with back-up support from the Organization of American States, and it is being presented as a part of the ongoing SOURCE program as it will tie in with previous and follow-on work provided by the OAS funding. Aid to Artisans remains a key partner with the OAS in the management and execution of this project. ~~Adz:Right~~
“Contacts have been made with the Craft House in St. Kitts and in Nevis as well as with other stakeholders. The Ministries of Tourism in St. Kitts and Nevis are also playing a major role in the implementation of this important programme.”
Greene expressed his organization's excitement in having the American Express Philanthropical Foundation as a partner in the SOURCE project. He underscored that one of the strengths of the OAS is its ability to “leverage cooperation with institutions and agencies that bring substantial financial, technical and human resources to developmental cooperation”.
He also praised the efforts of Aid to Artisans, an organization that has been “most instrumental in securing the services of credible and well recognized experts” in product design, purchasing practices, consumer standards and trends in resort purchasing.
The SOURCE Project was primarily designed to help artisan groups in the Federation and the various participating Caribbean member countries of the OAS, to better access the lucrative local and regional tourist market as a source of revenue and income. The OAS Office also stated that the project would assist the local producers to position themselves to increase sales of their products to hotels and resorts in the twin-island State.
The total estimated cost of this three-year program is US $450,000.
