Richmond Vale Academy is a non-profit school, focused on training international participants to become Development Instructors and Climate Activists.
After a volcanic eruption in 2021 we are ready to start 6 months Climate Activism teams in February, August and November 2022.
The teams will do a special project in the area of “getting ready for climate change” by taking action to protect against storm surges and sea level rise.
The project has great potential to teach about the importance of man and nature protecting our valuable biodiversity to the Vincentian Public by the involvement of several groups and individuals.
Some of the program elements to be carried out by these Teams are:
The project is connected to 12 other Caribbean NGO’s, which are also restoring mangroves across the Caribbean from Trinidad and Tobago to The Bahamas and Jamaica. There will be conservation conferences among all participating projects and lots of learning and resource sharing.
There will be special focus on marine conservation and the team will have a mix of Vincentian students and Internationals. Besides the focus on the climate studies, everyone will get an Open Water Certificate and a number of dives to do mapping, research on corals and other marine life - as a foundation for new teams coming after.
The first month of the 6 months program you will learn in theory about what Global Warming and Climate Change means for smaller Island Nations.
You will go on trips around the island to see the devastation from the Hurricanes and flooding and will take part in different actions like planting trees etc. You will be introduced to the community living and responsibilities, day structure, common meeting, kitchen duty etc. and you will be welcomed!
Then follows a project period at the school whereafter you have 2 months project period in the community followed by 2 months evaluation and smaller projects according to the needs and choice you make on your team.
Wow! It has been five years since I was back from RVA. It took me more than 20 hours to fly from HongKong to SVG, but it is one of the most important journeys I made in my life. When I was 21 years old, this journey made me realise that we can be so different but we can also have so much fun due to our diversities. It is just a totally different world from what I used to experience and what I am experiencing now. This world is with love, freedom and responsibilities. We learnt to listen to, respect for and share with each other. If you are lucky to have a gap year, this place you should not miss! I do appreciate who I met there because of those beautiful memories we had together. These lessons and skills still have huge impacts on me. Thanks!
I have experienced lots of challenging situations in my life and spending March to September at RVA has to be amongst my top 5. I became more open to humanity and how we as a global community have witnessed first hand the destruction and abuse of our beautiful planet Earth. Together all the students and teachers were involved in trying to change what we have all collectively done, and explore better ways to undo the damage and rethink what we as people have been taught.
Top areas of development learning were:
Team work makes the dream work.
Nature has all the answers....day after day.
Less is more ...we don't really need all those material things.
Communication is key....wrong can never be right.
Sharing is caring.
Global vision will make the world a better place to live.
My country is among the most preserved natural country in the world, we are volcanic organic. The RVA has been very instrumental in preserving our natural pristine eco system. Their programs are geared towards sustainability of self and environment in a very challenging time when the globalised activities are not so tolerant of eco friendly ways. I like most the opportunity RVA create for Vincentians... we get to meet new people and share new ideas for our development. We learn and earn a lot from them and I hope RVA continue their successful programs in St. Vincent
My country is among the most preserved natural country in the world, we are volcanic organic...d rva has been very instrumental in preserving our natural pristine eco system...their programs are geared towards sustainability of self and environment in a very challenging time when the globalised activities are not so tolerant of eco friendly ways...I like most the opportunity they create for a better life for vincentians...we get to meet new people and share new ideas for our development...we learn and earn a lot from them...I wish d rva well and continued success in St. Vincent
I was at Richmond Vale in July for the one month climate change program. I learned how to live a more sustainable life and did a variety of work including putting up solar panels, planting trees, and gardening. It was a rewarding month for me. Plus St. Vincent is a beautiful island with beautiful views. Would recommend for anyone who isn't scared to get their hands dirty and love to eat fruit!
