CaribDE Day Five – Monday, 17th May 2010

Posted by Debbie Wege, CUDE 1993

Even from the sequestered confines of our remote, non-air-conditioned, highly-humid Abbey, one cannot deny the beauty of this Island. The sweetness of Caribbean air after a night of warm tropical rain fills your waking breaths as you step outside on the veranda between the dorm area and main hall. I am not sure there is a better way to start one’s day, even when you know the long hours that this day brings with it…

Today began with time for participants to finalize their project ideas for presentations by the mentors. As you will see when you read these there are some great things that will be happening in the Caribbean. From partnering with other credit unions, starting youth programs that truly engage the youth (including TV programming), and teaching the cu philosophy and principles and more…

Then we went out into shade of the lawn area under the beautiful Caribbean Samaan Tree and all collectively agreed that the outdoor air was considerably cooler than the hot & humid room we had been sweating in for the last 4 days… all breathed a welcomed cooler sigh of relief… Tom led the group in a team building exercise that tested and successfully stretched and expanded our ability to trust the group as a whole. Leaving us all feeling a little more connected. Then each person was paired up to share what this past week has meant to them and rotated till all had shared with each other. It was obvious by the volume and smiles that each have had positive aspects they can take away from this week together. This was followed by time for more personal reflection to put down these thoughts in a letter to themselves which will be mailed to them in six months.

Then came the assignment of the Final Case Studies… drum roll please…

As each received their case study with apprehensive anticipation, some were already claiming the time they wanted to end by… never a good idea…

Each gave their case study the seriousness needed to think it through and come up with their presentation, even through the heat. Big thanks to Bob Schumacher and Melvin Edwards for making a run for much needed (and up until this point, non-existent) caffeinated sodas!! Blessing for the local gas station that sold coke products!!!

Tomorrow is the big day for presentations and some will do this a little more rested than others, but all will do it with hard work, determination from a week filled with expanded awareness, deepened understanding, and broader perspectives. Stay tuned…

And may I add, even in midst of the rain, the warmth never leaves – ahh the magic of the Caribbean Islands…