A little room in your suitcase can make a huge difference. The Lookout supports Pack for a Purpose, which matches visitors’ donations with supplies that local projects have actually requested. Please ask Lou for the current needs list before you travel.
How to take part
Choose a project, pack only the items on its current requested list and contact Chris and Lou when you arrive. They can collect the supplies and arrange delivery to the project. You can also learn more from Pack for a Purpose itself.
The projects we support
Project 1: BAPA
Bequia Animal Protection Alliance (BAPA) is a registered non-profit organisation, created in response to the growing numbers of stray and unwanted dogs on Bequia.
The volunteers that make up BAPA strive to prevent cruelty and promote kindness and responsibility to all animals, whilst also helping to provide care to any dogs and cats in need.
BAPA continues to offer free or low cost spay, neuter and vaccination programmes, and subsidises veterinary care to low income families.
They also hold free Pet Wellness Clinics around the island during the year to provide pet owners and their animals with help and support.
You can support this project by providing bath/swim towels and bath mats (used are fine), dog brushes/combs, dog collars & leashes (not harnesses), dog shampoos/soaps, food & water bowls (wide base type), ear & eye cleaning pads, single dose chewable triple worming tablets for dogs, tick & flea treatments for dogs – preferably tablets (not collars), and mange treatment for dogs such as “Bravecto”.
Project 2: The Sunshine School / Encore Thrift Store
The Sunshine School for Children with Special Needs provides a nurturing learning environment for 30 students living in Bequia, ranging in age from five to twenty years. These children exhibit learning issues caused by a variety of physical, behavioural or mental challenges.
The Sunshine School is a privately funded, not for profit, institution administered by a local Board of Directors and is reliant on donations and fundraising in order to offer the students a wonderful learning environment. The teaching of work related and life skills allows opportunities for students to contribute to their homes and communities with self-supportive skills.
The School needs a regular supply of basic school and office supplies, learning materials, arts & craft supplies and books.
Newly opened in 2022! Encore is Bequia’s first charity-run thrift store, offering second-hand clothing, books and household items at bargain prices – all in aid of The Sunshine School. Encore is manned by volunteers and relies on donations of lightly used items such as Homeware, Books, Clothing, Jewellery, Toys, Bric a Brac and more.
Project 3: Bequia Schools
There are 4 pre-schools, 4 primary schools and 2 secondary schools on Bequia. We aim to provide all schools with much needed basic school and office supplies, learning materials, arts & craft supplies, sports equipment (inflatable footballs, rugby balls) and books.
The following supplies are very much appreciated and will be distributed to all schools in Bequia – Geometry sets, scientific calculators, rulers, pens, pencils, white board markers and erasers, first aid packs, new and used toys, arts & crafts (coloured glitter, art foam, googly eyes, crepe paper, paint palettes, drawing pencils and sketch pads).
Project 4: Friends of Bequia Hospital
Friends of Bequia Hospital was set up in 2013 to improve medical care on Bequia and supports the 3 medical facilities in Bequia: Bequia Hospital, Port Elizabeth Clinic, and Paget Farm Clinic. FOBH is administered by local Trustees and is reliant on donations of supplies and fundraising.
The first priority is to ensure that medication, frontline supplies and consumables are available to meet the ongoing needs of the people of Bequia. The ultimate goal of FOBH is to offer a centre of medical excellence, improving medical equipment and preventing the need for Bequia residents to travel to the island of St Vincent for medical care.
Project 5: Bequia Reading Club
Bequia Reading Club was set up by Miss Cheryl Johnson, a former teacher, turned restaurant owner to help young people with their literacy. Local and visiting children of all ages gather every Saturday afternoon at The Fig Tree restaurant to read books with adult volunteers. Cheryl creates a great motivational learning environment, ensuring that each child participates, feeds back what they have read and gains from the experience. Each child can also choose a book at the end of each session to take home with them.
Volunteers at the reading club are also very welcome and it is a hugely rewarding experience.
All suitable reading books are gratefully accepted. Most required are fantasy books for ages 10+. Arts & Craft supplies are also much appreciated.
Project 6: The Learning Center Bequia
The Learning Center was established in 2012 by The Grenadines Initiative which is a non‐ profit, non‐denominational charity dedicated to providing social, educational, and medical assistance to individuals and charitable organizations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Learning Center, based in Port Elizabeth, began modestly as an after-school tutorial program tasked principally with supporting basic literacy and numeracy. The Learning Center improves outcomes in the common entrance exams resulting in students having access to secondary programs on the mainland. There are currently 80 registered students in this after school program ranging in age from 5 to 12 years.
In addition to educational materials (flash cards, reading and writing materials ) and arts & crafts, the Learning Center is always in need of toys and trinkets that can be used as prizes.
Needs and participating projects can change. Please ask Lou for the current requested list before packing supplies.
