FAQs

What is the problem this project or idea would aim to solve?
Following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the Caribbean island of Grenada has lost its historical Governmental buildings and all artifacts including (1) Government House, similar to Governor's Mansion and (2) Houses of Parliament. Since 2004 their Parliament is meeting in the local University. This is a travesty for the young people of this small country with a population of only 100,000. During the Hurricane over 80% of the island was affected.

What is the idea / opportunity to solve it?
It came to our attention recently that there is a fund started by the High Commissioner to Grenada and Baroness Ros Howells based in London from 2006 but did not have the means and resources to create a full marketing campaign with phones, a small office and advertising. This is a request to help to seed fund the GIFT (Grenada International Foundation Trust) donation drive to enable the campaign to reach a wide global audience. If we had the necessary elements in place we wanted to launch this campaign on Christmas 2007 to encourage all to “Give a different GIFT this Christmas.”

How will this idea positively impact lives?
The population of 100,000 in Grenada has an average income below £4,000 per annum per adult. The local people, because the country is spread across several smaller islands, have had to pool their resources to rebuild the essential items such as homes, stores, hospitals and livelihood (spice crops) before identifying the means to rebuilt historic buildings. Raising the funds on the island would take years to achieve the £2m needed to rebuild Government House in the first instance.

Why now?
2008 represents 3 years since the Hurricane Ivan impacted this island. That means a child that was 6 is now turning 9. A critical year in a child's growth and esteem building. Children need to see that Government can go about the business of Government in a dignified manner. This campaign will step up the emphasis of the Grenadian disaster and enable people across the world to help.

What is the measurable impact that could be expected in 3-5 years?
In 3-5 years time the peoples of Grenada will once again enjoy life with a new Government House and Houses of Parliament. The buildings will be hurricane-proof and will attract new tourism as givers from across the world visit the island to see the results of their philantropy.