In this blog piece, the Head of the Montserrat Government UK Office (MGUKO) posed some insightful questions to the members of the Kinsale Primary School Project. Their thoughtful responses offer a glimpse into the motivations, challenges, and future goals of this important initiative. Read their responses in full below to gain a deeper understanding of how the group has supported education and community development in Montserrat over the years.
Question1: Can you share with us the journey of the Kinsale Primary School Project from its inception to its current activities?
Response: The Soufriere Hills Volcano sprang to life on 18th July 1995. The Kinsale Primary School (KPS) was the first school to be directly affected by crisis. This was the period when the idea of the KPS Project came on stream. In an effort to help students deal with a very distressing situation, as headteacher of the school, I introduced a music and creative writing programme as a therapeutic outlet for the emotional strains of staff, students and parents. A school concert was organized and staged. Music teacher Desmond ‘Flasha’ Daley was instrumental in making the concert a success. Most of the items were based on songs and poetic narrations about the volcanic crisis. The publication of the 1996 publication Out of the Mouths of Babes was also part of the therapy programme. However, as the volcanic crisis intensified and relocation activities took their toll, it became impossible the continue with the project plans. Twenty-seven years later, in 2023, the contributors who contributed to the 1996 publication regrouped after a call went out for a reunion. We came together and formally established the KPS Project. This story is narrated in the group’s second publication, From Babes to Protégés and Beyond.
Question 2: How did the community response and support contribute to the success of the project, especially considering its origins in the aftermath of the Soufriere Hills Volcano eruption?
Response: In 1996, the support from the Kinsale and its environs and the national community was overwhelming. The late Bertrand Osborne OD, who was the parliamentary representative for Kinsale, spearheaded and stimulated the list of sponsors and supporters. Nick Allen of Trials, earned himself the title KPS Volcanologist for the many times he offered invaluable advice about how to deal with the volcanic crisis. The 2024 publication is dedicated to these two stalwarts. The third dedication goes to Teacher Manelva Greenaway, former headteacher of KPS, who constantly offered prayers and encouragement. Interestingly, the same sponsors who were there for KPS in 1996, offered the same level of support in 2024. The following poem, which appears in the 2024 publication, is dedicated to all our friends, supporters and sponsors:
We are telling you “Thank you!” But words are not quite enough Words are so very insufficient To say all that thank you stuff
Please know we have deep feelings About your kind and generous act We truly value and appreciate you You’re so special, and that’s a fact
It was some twenty-seven years ago You were there from the very start We thank God for kind folks like youWho have shared with a grateful heart
Twenty-seven years have rolled on Again you have pulled us through Words are all we have at presentSo, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Gertrude Shotte
Question 3: How did creative writing expression serve as an outlet for the students in the first book, and what was the impact on the children, parents, and wider community? Additionally, could you share the themes explored in the first book?
Response: The KPS Project has no empirical evidence to show the impact of the creativity programme on the students, parents and wider community. However, we can say that the programme did have therapeutic value. Many of the poems were performed in various settings across the island. From informal conversations with staff, students and other residents, it is reasonable to conclude that they benefitted from the KPS programme. Non- KPS students were able to learn how to cope with the crisis by modelling the KPS examples. Considering that KPS was in the hotseat from the onset of the crisis, and that KPS produced the first volcano anthology, the students were able to relate their coping strategies to non-KPS students who later experienced ashfall as the crisis escalated. Again, based on informal data, the sharing of coping strategies had positive impact.
Question 4: What are some of the key achievements or milestones that the project has reached, particularly in garnering attention beyond the Montserrat community?
The KPS Project is pleased that its achievements have been acknowledged by organisations and institutions beyond the Montserrat community. These are the entities that have engaged with the group thus far:
The list is growing. Educational institutions are showing interest.
Question 5: For those interested in purchasing the second book, how can they do so, and are there any plans for a launch event or other promotional activities?
Books can be purchased at a cost of £18 from members of the KPS Project. The first book is also available for £15. Both books will be available from online outlets, including Amazon. For queries, here’s a contact number: (+44) 07725 054 077. I will forward the details to you as soon as things are finalised. The group is hoping to have a book launch, but would like to have all the promotion details in place before we do so.
Question6: Looking ahead, what are some of the future plans of the project, and how can individuals get involved in future activities or support the ongoing efforts of the Kinsale Primary School Project?
The group intends to invite all past students of KPS, friends of KPS and other interested Montserratians and Caribbean people to participate in its revived creativity programme. We are quite keen to ‘give back’ to the Montserrat community and have decided to explore the areas in which this can be done. Education is a priority. Contact details to get involved:
https://www.instagram.com/kin.saleprimaryschoolproject; https://m.facebook.com/groups/1684845241989821/
Email: kpsproject1996@gmail.com
Question 7: Who are the members of the Kinsale Primary School Project? (If members are happy we would love to list their names with/without a headshot)
All the contributors to Out of the Mouths of Babes and From Babes to Protégés and Beyond are members of the KPS Project.
BRAMBLE, Maureen
DALEY, Immanuel DESTOUCHE, Francis DYETT, Deborah
GUMBS, Kevel
HUSSEY, Daunelle LEWIS, Adrian MAIZE, Chander
O’BRIEN, Frandel O’GARRO, Danielle O’GARRO, Shanell
PHILLIPS, GeranPIPER, Melissa
RICHARDS, Jo-AnnahRYNER, Trecia
SILCOTT, Maria SKERRITT, Lexford
THOMAS, Terrez TUITT, Trevlyn
WEEKES, Patrice
Dr Gertrude Shotte’s experiences at the Kinsale Primary School (KPS), Montserrat, especially the 1996 production of Out of the Mouths of Babes, stands head and shoulders above other memorable academic occurrences. This choice is not based on her enduring love for poetry, but rather the outpouring of the range of emotions that the students demonstrated in the publication, together with the willing support received from staff, parents and friends of KPS, during the uncertain and hazardous times of the volcanic crisis. Twenty-seven years later, it is even more euphoric to present the sequel From Babes to Proteges and Beyond. It is an extraordinary feeling to be working once again with a group of proteges, who are willing and able, to keep the KPS flame burning in lands far beyond the shores of the beautiful Emerald Isle.
