Old Harbour Cassava Fest: Empowering communities through entrepreneurism

Unsurprisingly there were plenty cassava-made products such as cakes, gizzadas, breads, buns and other pastries made from this nutrient rich tuber which is very common here in the south west.

Obviously there was bammy – the most popular derivative from cassava in the country. And lots of it too! You should try, however, the cassava porridge and cassava dukunu.

The event though is more than just about the seafood offerings from Old Harbour Bay and its historical marriage with cassava. Rather it’s an event seeking to empower people through entrepreneurism at the community level.

The event has evolved, Monica Douglas-Gardner, community development officer, Social Development Commission (SDC) and one of the main co-ordinators on the planning committee, tells Old Harbour News. Participation these days is more diverse and community-centric.

“We want to feature the things that are within the Old Harbour space,” said Douglas-Gardner. “So the communities are really coming on board.”

Support for the event has been growing with several private, public and civic groups coming on board – a testimony to the work that the SDC development officer and others within the respective community development committees (CDC) have put in.

“It’s much bigger each year, so you can see that it is growing. We are still in our infancy stage and I’m proud to see what is happening today,” said Douglas-Gardner.

As to why persons are returning and new ones coming forward, she added: “They love it. It gives them a chance. For example last year Planters Hall entered and won some of the prizes. They went about (making) their punch in December. And I meet people on the streets telling me how nice the cassava punch is and that they want to start planting cassava again.”

One such individual is Paulette Williams of the Ginger Ridge Community Development Committee and the Ringer Ridge farmer’s group.

Having received vocational training through HEART, Williams and her colleagues have been busy carving out a niche that can bring economic value and prosperity.
“We did the cakes, we did the porridge, we did the cupcakes as well. We did the pudding and whole lot of a variety. We started doing these things to see how well we can come up with a product and get good market for it,” she said while two ladies bought porridge from her booth. “How is the taste?” I asked. “Delicious,” they responded in almost a chorus with one giving the thumbs up.

Dwight Campbell is a carpenter from also Ginger Ridge. After spending many years in Canada he has returned home showcasing his skills by making medicine chest, domino boards and folding chairs. He’s not on social media, so not a lot of persons know about his fabulous craftsmanship which is of very good quality and high standard.

Venicia Green’s paper mache art pieces also caught the eye. But like Campbell she hasn’t been utilizing social media to her advantage. The Darlington Drive resident told Old Harbour News that she developed the craft three years ago through the Mighty Gully Youth Programme with pieces costing upwards from $3,000.

Budding artist Christon Cheese also had our attention. The 14-year-old Old Harbour High fourth form student had some wonderful pieces on display including his JCDC gold medal winning piece titled Conversation valued at $30,000.

It’s obvious that immense talent exist within the Old Harbour space. But with a budget of less than two million dollars, Douglas-Gardner knows they’re far from achieving their goals.

“We realize that persons are being stimulated, so how do we go about sustaining it,” she said.

But achieving the ultimate goal, she emphasizes, lies “when we see many persons whether having a skill, gaining employment or benefiting in some way from it, we would have achieved”.