The power of the sun on Cat Island

The Moxleys of Devils Point speak to the impact of solar on their lives to James Honeycutt, Cat Island United Director. The Moxleys were one of six unserved residences where CIU installed small island solar solutions to figure out the most cost effective and safe configuration for a small residence. A final demo solar solution is to be installed in the spring of 2023 at the staff room, currently without electricity, right on Arthur’s Town Square.

RECYCLING—YES WE CAN CANS!

This week, Cat Island United sent a record number of sugar bags filled with empty soda cans for reprocessing into raw aluminum. With the troubles with COVID in China and the war in Russia, aluminum prices have soared as supply has become pinched. Recycling keeps the aluminum out of the dumps and back into manufacturing—from cars to cans. The money we receive goes back to the community. Please join in to help keep this wheel moving!

The Farms Get a Name…and A Painted Sign

Pictured (left-right): Erin Honeycutt, Cassara Turner (ATCS Gr. 8) and Corey Turner (ATCS Gr. 6)

The agricultural science teacher for both high schools on Cat Island, Mr. Horace Forbes, has come up with a name for the farms on the campuses of Old Bight High School and Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School. The school farms are ready to carry the name “Sunshine Tutorial Farm: Powered by Nature.”

Not only do both school farms have the privilege of being named, but they get signs as well. Corey and Cassara Turner, a brother-sister duo and students from Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School had fun with Erin Honeycutt from Pigeon Cay. Creative juices flowing, they designed and painted the sign that will be placed at Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School. Ms. Liz Dubois from Old Bight is going to work with students from Old Bight High School to design and paint the sign for Old Bight High School.

Drip Irrigation & Solar Pump at OBHS - All Systems Are A Go!

Water is essential for the growth of plants, and it is even better when water is sourced in an eco-friendly way. Cat Island United has worked with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme to ensure a drip irrigation system and solar pump were set up at Old Bight High School (OBHS). Mr. Horace Forbes serves as the Agricultural Science teacher for both high schools on the island. Under his guidance, the 10th-grade students at OBHS installed the drip irrigation system and the 12th-grade students installed the solar pump. With the help of gravity-fed and solar-driven drip irrigation systems, no energy is being wasted. Drip irrigation systems have low water usage and help to conserve this resource in drought-prone Cat Island.

With a solar-powered water system fully installed, the school is preparing to grow beautiful, healthy, lush crops. When the produce is harvested near the end of the school year, the students will be able to take them home to their families. Locally grown produce will not have the pesticides and chemicals that imported or processed goods do, which is healthier for us and the environment. Not to mention, growing food locally helps to reduce the carbon emissions in the atmosphere that come from processing and importing food. Now, students at OBHS can experience that for themselves. As Mr. Forbes put it, “All systems go!”

Small Island Solar Solutions for Homes off the Grid

Cat Island United (CIU) came up to the plate to help five Cat Island residences without electricity get power. With the help of the United Nations Global Environment Fund, CIU was able to bring solar solutions to these five homes in Summer 2021. We are working towards giving solar power to more homes, sheds and shacks. Our goal is to help harness the power of the sun to meet the needs of the people of Cat Island.

Rainwater and solar in place at OBHS Farm

While the students were virtual, Cat Island United and helped to install a 2,500 gallon water tank, gutters and solar panels to drive the pumps for the drip irrigation systems. Many thanks to the volunteers and service providers! Only thing missing are the students—- due back in January. Under Mr. Forbes supervision, the youth will install the drip irrigation and plant in January for spring crops.

2,500 gallon tank from Seacor to OBHS thanks to Cruz Farrah. Prince Hepburn of Orange Creek laying gutters to catch rainwater. CIU director James Honeycutt installed solar panels ready to drive the pumps for the sprinkler irrigation system. Drip irrigation system be gravity fed.

ATCS students build sustainable farm with solar and drip irrigation

Installing the solar panels and the drip irrigation system for the GEF’s award winning Sustainable Farm. Recognized by the UN in 2021 for 300 World Bank Practices on Sustainability and Innovation.

Students get into the act installing small island solar solution for free hot water…and lots of it!

Cat Island United volunteers and students install the first solar thermal water heater on Cat Island for resident Daisy Tyson of Arthur’s Town— alternative to diesel-generated electricity from the abundant and free sunshine.

Old Bight High School Students Go Solar!

Conrad Geyser and Arthur Dougherty created sparks—both electrical and imaginative— at their discussion with OBHS students on climate change, the power of solar, the physics and economics. Students were quick to seize the possibilities for charging their phones, pumping water and possibly one day lighting their homes. So far, just words but two panels are en route to fuel the drip irrigation system that will keep green the Old Bight High School Sustainable Farm.

Helping kids to tune out the noise with earbuds for all as school goes virtual

ATCS students show off their new personal earbuds for virtual learning

ATCS students show off their new personal earbuds for virtual learning

Cat Island United presented high school students with their personal set of earbuds to a round of student applause. Students can now focus on their learning in peace and quiet. The donation of 200 sets of earbuds for ATCS and OBHS was made possible by the generous gift of the Tommy and Chantal Bagwell Foundation.

ATCS Students clear land for the sustainable farm

Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School students pitching in!

Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School students pitching in!

Under the guidance of Agriculture teacher Mr. Horace Forbes, students at Arthur’s Town Comprehensive School cleared nearly a half acre for the ATCS Sustainable Farm. The Farm is designed to increase the Cat Island growing season, bring fresh produce to Cat island and introduce students to new technology through solar powered drip irrigation systems. The project is being financed by a generous grant from the UNDP Global Environment Fund’s Small Grants Program

Critical medical equipment donated to Cat Island Clinics during COVID lock down

Trevor McDonald helps Head Nurse Stuart unload a container of medical equipment for the Clinics

Trevor McDonald helps Head Nurse Stuart unload a container of medical equipment for the Clinics

From wheelchairs to EKG machines, medical equipment arrived by air and by sea to help better diagnose, treat and keep safe patients presenting at the Cat Island Clinics. Chief Nurse Stuart and Dr. Hollander, CIU Board member, collaborated to identify, procure and ship diagnostic and therapeutic supplies for the island. Purchases were made possible with the generous donations of Lyford Cay Charitable Trust, Rand and Susan Falbaum and the Tommy and Chantal Bagwell Foundation.