ICCI Students Explore CaymanKind

Twelve
undergraduate students of the International College of the Cayman
Islands (ICCI) who enrolled in the fall 2019 Local Seminar on the
Cayman Islands had more than an awesome educational journey back in
time, as they were immersed in the history, culture and heritage of
all three islands. This initiative by the college was borne out of
the need to expose and in many cases, educate, all students on the
rich history, culture, and heritage of the Cayman Islands and
ultimately prepare them to become brand ambassadors both at home and
abroad.

The Seminar commenced with a
one-day Know Your Cayman Islands Workshop facilitated by Ms. Janet
Holness from the Department of Tourism (DoT). The class then covered
two days of tours on Grand Cayman, making stops at several cultural
and historical sites. These included Pedro Castle, Queen Elizabeth II
Botanical Garden, the Blue Iguana Reserve, Crystal Caves, the
National Museum, the National Art Gallery and stops at the districts’
Heritage Days. The students also assisted with various activities in
Pirates’ Week.

The students made their way
to Little Cayman where they got a personal audience with Dr. Carrie
Manfrino, Director, President, and Director of Research and
Conservation of the Central Caribbean Maritime Institute (CCMI)
followed by a tour of the facilities lead by research intern, Rickeem
Lashley. The warm hospitality of the residents of Little Cayman was
simply amazing so much that they got a personal tour of the entire
island, by the Pirates’ Point Resort owner and manager, Ms. Susan
Howard. Ms. Susan is the daughter of the Gladys B. Howard, whose
outstanding contribution to the community resulted in the Little
Cayman District National Trust Visitors Centre was named after her.

The ICCI faculty and students traveled to Cayman Brac where they met with District Commissioner, Mr. Ernie Scott, who provided a quick history lesson on Cayman Brac followed by a visit to Walton’s Mango Manor. There the students were engaged in the activities of the artist-in-residence program, an initiative borne by Ms. Simone Scott, coupled with sweet treats and a thatch making session. The team spent some time walking through the historical and unique artifacts housed in the oldest building on Cayman Brac, the Cayman Brac Museum where they learned that several of these items were either given or loaned by residents themselves. The Cayman Heritage House was another great stop. The students got the opportunity to interview three phenomenal ladies: Ms. Guelda Tibbetts, Ms. Marguerita Bodden, and Ms. Mexi-Ann Grant, in an entertaining question and answer format followed by a rope making session by tour guides, Keino Daley and Phillip Smith with the thatch coils donated by Ms. Annelee Ebanks. Before leaving, they visited the bluff and caves which were breathtaking to say the least. Of course, one must not leave Cayman Brac without getting some round or “mongoose” bread so we made that stop before leaving.

To
culminate their experiences, the students created and presented their
own condensed version of the “Know My Cayman Islands” Workshop to
grades 7 to 10 at Cayman Academy. The pupils enjoyed the sessions,
especially the souvenirs sponsored by the Department of Tourism and
the free Swanky they got to sample! The ICCI students felt that it
was definitely a wonderful experience, and passing on the knowledge
to the younger ones was a welcome treat and a must-do for the younger
generation in keeping our culture alive.

Thank
you to the all persons who availed themselves to meet with us or
arrange visits on our behalf, a special thanks to the Department of
Tourism on all three islands for making the experience a memorable
and interactive one!