Island Journeys and Clemson University’s Wesley Foundation Group Make Positive Impact In South Eleuthera

Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera – Winter residents, locals and visitors gathered at the Mission Foundation in Rock Sound, Eleuthera on March 17, 2009 for the annual welcome reception that is jointly given by the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation and the Mission Foundation. This year an added value included the Clemson University Group of 55 students and faculty from the Clemson University Wesley Foundation Group, South Carolina that was hosted by Island Journeys. The group had arrived 3 days prior via a Bahamasair charter flight and was on the Island to engage in volunteer community service, community work and environmental studies during a one-week trip, led by Reverend Lane Glaze, director of the group. Their participation at the reception was highly enjoyable, not only due to the fact that many in the group won great prizes but also because they enjoyed Bahamian culture in the way of food, music and arts and crafts displays by local vendors/artists.

During the reception, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation officials, Jacqueline Gibson, Manager, Eleuthera branch and Charity Armbrister, Director, Central and Southern Bahamas, presented a plaque to Reverend Glaze to honour his contribution to Eleuthera. Reverend Glaze has been bringing groups to Eleuthera for more than 6 years. Each year, the group invests approximately $90,000.00 into the community and around half a million dollars has been injected since they first began their trips. About 300 participants have visited with approximately 50 repeat returns. The group missed one year to the Bahamas due to their work on the Gulf Coast for hurricane relief after the passing of Hurricane Katrina.

Charity Armbrister, Director of Central and Southern Bahamas, Ministry of Tourism, presents a plaque to Reverend C. Lane Glaze, Director of the Wesley Foundation Group and Minister of the Campus, Clemson University, South Carolina, Hon. Oswald Ingraham, MP, South Eleuthera.  In the background are, Shaun Ingraham, Director of Island Journeys and SEEP (South Eleuthera Emergency Partners) and Jacqueline Gibson, Manager, Eleuthera Office, Ministry of Tourism. (Photo: Azaleta Ishmael-Newry)

Reverend Glaze’s organization has donated generously to Island Journeys and SEEP (South Eleuthera Emergency Partners) that are both run by Shaun Ingraham, a native of Tarpum Bay. Donations have included 2 school buses, 2 - 15 passenger vans, tools and shipping of fire gear and equipment for SEEP’s volunteer fire fighters. Reverend Glaze has also brought other groups of missioners from North and South Carolina to have the experience of living in a community with locals.

When asked why he is so passionate about bringing university students to Eleuthera, he replied, “When I was a college student, I traveled to the Dominican Republic and it opened a greater world for me. I went in with the mind that I was American but came back that I was a human being. So, bringing the students from South Carolina down to Eleuthera gives them a similar opportunity and perspective that there is another world out there.”

Shaun Ingraham, Director of Island Journeys, is a community organizer and disaster response consultant who brings people into the community with the goal that the visitor transforms themselves and the community. “The way Shaun sets up the program and how you can serve the people and the community is great and you cannot learn this experience in the classroom,” explained Reverend Glaze.

Clemson University Volunteers work on providing a roof for a handicap accessible ramp at Princess Cays.

Students are placed where their talents are best suited and assigned tasks based on their areas of interest. This year’s construction projects included re-roofing a roof for a single mother’s house in Tarpum Bay, constructing a shaded area for the straw vendors craft stall at Princess Cays and extending the roof on the side of the Church of God so that there is a shaded activity area. Some of the students who are involved in the education field spent time in the local schools where they taught and observed. A group of 5 nurses, lead by Janice Lanham, Lecturer, BS, MSN, Clemson University, spent time in the clinics updating client records and assisting with clinics for the local residents. The environmental and natural resources students visited Lighthouse Beach at the tip of Southern Eleuthera to study and document plant and bird life. Marketing students assisted with creating websites and brochures for various areas of interest in South Eleuthera. The students also had time to swim and enjoy local activities such as the fish fry in Rock Sound and a swim at the Ocean Hole.

Team members survey Lighthouse Point beach, one of the most beautiful locales in the world, to survey its flora and fauna. The ultimate goal is to protect this beautiful area from development.

Island Journeys kicked off the “Save Lighthouse Beach Campaign” on Saturday, March 21st with participation from the Clemson group to bring awareness to Lighthouse Beach and Point. Approximately 200 people, which included locals and visitors, turned out to appreciate the natural surrounds and purpose of the event. “The beauty of Lighthouse Beach is like God’s creation and is so spectacular that I guarantee you that you will want to return, over and over,” said Ingraham. Documentation of this event as well as part of the Clemson Group’s trip will be featured on the Ministry of Tourism’s “Tourism Today” show.

Island Journey’s Clemson University’s Wesley Foundation 2009 Group Arrive In Rock Sound, Eleuthera Via Chartered Bahamasair Plane

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Island Journeys is a non-profit organization and is dedicated to strengthening, transforming and rebuilding communities. Other projects include community development through community and volunteer mobilization, disaster relief and recovery, children and youth development, health and wellness and environmental protection and preservation.