What inspired you to work for Elvira's Garden?
Elvira’s Garden was inspired by both family history and what I could see happening right around me. My father was born on the land we use today, so for me this place has always meant something deeply personal.
I have memories of coming to Grenada from London as a child, fishing for crayfish in the river at the back of the land, sitting on the rocks with my parents and siblings, and enjoying the freedom of being here.
As I got older, I was always interested in property and making good use of land, but during lockdown, everything became much clearer. I could see how many people were living right on our doorstep and how many children and families in the area could benefit from having a safe, positive space.
I was also inspired by my daughters, who both chose careers helping others. My eldest went into social work and fought for children and families, and my youngest went into education and special educational needs, helping children communicate and regulate themselves.
Seeing that passion in both of them pushed me to build something that could help people in a real way.
In the office
Describe a typical day at work.
There really is no such thing as a completely typical day for me because the work is so varied and seasonal. Some days are more about checking progress, speaking with staff, solving problems, planning the next steps, and making sure each area is moving forward properly.
At this stage, as I prepare for retirement, a lot of my focus is on handing projects over to the right managers and expecting them to take ownership and do their jobs well. I am very much someone who gives people responsibility and expects them to run with it.
When we have special events like Easter camp, summer camp, fundraisers, or holiday programs, I become much more hands-on. I might be welcoming volunteers, collecting people from the airport, checking the grounds, helping where needed, or simply making sure the atmosphere feels right.
Even though I have staff, I will still get involved in gardening or spend time with the children because those are the parts that bring me joy. Every day is different, but the goal is always the same: progress.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I care about progress, and I hate to see things go backwards. I want to know that the time, money, and energy I put into something are helping to move people and the community forward.
For me, children are a huge part of that. They need consistency, standards, encouragement, and a safe place to grow. I left school very young and had to work from around the age of 14, so I know what it means when children do not get the support or opportunities they need. I do not want to see young people repeat the same struggles if we can help give them a better path.
I also do this because I believe land and resources should be used for something meaningful. This is family land, family history, and family effort, and I want it to be used in a way that truly serves people.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is seeing things come alive. I love seeing children having fun, gaining confidence, and making happy memories. I love it when camp is in full swing, when our fundraisers are busy, and when we have a strong group of active volunteers who are genuinely helpful and bring good energy.
I also enjoy sharing our family history, our culture, and Grenada itself with people from different parts of the world. It means a lot to me when visitors and volunteers come here and end up loving the place the way we do. I enjoy gardening as well, so seeing the land being used well and seeing people benefit from it is very satisfying.
Those moments, when the place feels full of life and purpose, are when I feel most proud.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My path has not been a traditional one. I left school young, but I have been working ever since, and life has taught me a great deal. I have built a lot through experience, practical knowledge, creativity, instinct, and strong standards. I am very visual, very fast-thinking, and I tend to see the bigger picture quickly. I may not come from a formal academic background, but I have always been resourceful and able to work things out.
My international background also plays a big part in what I do. I was born and raised in London and now live in Grenada, so I understand both local and international perspectives. I have travelled widely and spent time in places very different from my own, including travelling to Romania in my twenties to donate toys, clothes, and other supplies to an orphanage.
Today, I work with international volunteers all the time, so I use that experience to help people feel welcomed while also introducing them to the real culture, history, and heart of Grenada.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges is trying to build something meaningful with limited funding and not always having enough reliable people around you. Staffing, consistency, and finances are ongoing challenges, especially when your standards are high and you care deeply about the outcome. It can be frustrating when you give people responsibility and they do not take full ownership of it.
At the same time, community work always comes with real pressures because the needs are great and the resources are not always there. We keep going by being proactive, resourceful, and constantly looking for help, especially through volunteers. Even one good volunteer can lift a huge amount of pressure.
I am also naturally stubborn in the best sense of the word. Once I believe in something, I keep pushing. My outlook is very hopeful, very spiritually grounded, and very focused on the idea that good effort, good intentions, and consistency will eventually bear fruit.
Beach Field Trip
What are some current projects you are working on?
Right now, one of the biggest transitions in my life is preparing for retirement and making sure the projects I have built are being handed over properly. I want each area of Elvira’s Garden to be managed well and to continue growing with the right people in place.
In the immediate term, we are focused on our after-school club, Easter camp, summer camp, outreach in the community, and building stronger sponsorship support so the work can become more sustainable.
Looking ahead, I am also interested in developing new ideas that could support the nonprofit, such as a natural homemade range of child-friendly products like sunscreen, shampoos, and moisturisers made with a strong focus on health and natural ingredients. I would also love to spend more time gardening, growing more food, and creating products from the land.
My long-term hope is that Elvira’s Garden becomes fully self-sustaining and eventually grows into something that can be replicated in another village that needs the same kind of support.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
I would tell my pre-travel self to stay open and embrace the adventure fully, because some of the most meaningful experiences in life come when you allow yourself to step into something different. Travel teaches you much more than geography. It teaches you about people, culture, resilience, gratitude, and yourself.
Through travel and through hosting people from all over the world, I have made new friendships, learned from other cultures, and seen how much beauty there is in human connection. I would say do not overthink everything, do not expect everything to feel familiar, and do not be afraid to let the experience change you. It is an adventure you may never want to end.
What makes Elvira's Garden special?
What makes Elvira’s Garden special is that it is deeply personal. This is not something that was created just to run a program or offer activities. It is family land, family history, and a vision that grew out of wanting to use what we had to serve the community in a meaningful way.
My father was born on this land, and I grew up with memories here, so there is real heart behind everything we do. We are also not trying to be a polished, distant organization. We are hands-on, real, welcoming, and community-rooted. People who come here feel that. They meet our family, they experience Grenadian culture, they see the children enjoying themselves, and they become part of something genuine.
That mix of history, heart, culture, and purpose is what makes us special.
Why should someone choose Elvira's Garden over competitors?
I believe people should choose Elvira’s Garden because what we offer is real. We are not just providing a placement. We are offering the chance to be part of a family-run, community-rooted organization where the work has heart and purpose.
Volunteers and participants are not treated like numbers here. They get to experience the real Grenada, connect with local people, and be part of something that is growing and making a genuine difference.
We also offer a wide range of ways to get involved, from helping with children and youth programmes to supporting practical projects around the property and wider community. For the right person, it is a much more personal, meaningful, and memorable experience than something more corporate or detached.
What hopes do you have for the future for Elvira's Garden?
My hope for the future is that Elvira’s Garden becomes fully self-sustaining so that it can continue serving children, families, and the wider community for many years to come. I would love for us to strengthen our after-school club, camps, outreach work, and volunteer program while also building more reliable funding and sponsorship.
I also hope we can continue improving the land itself and using it in creative ways, whether that is through gardening, new products, or other income-generating ideas that support the nonprofit. In the long term, I would love to see this model grow strongly enough that we could open another centre in a nearby village that also needs support. For me, the future is about growth, stability, and lasting impact.
Are there any developments with Elvira's Garden that you would like to share with us?
One important development is that Elvira’s Garden is in a stage of growth and transition. As I begin preparing for retirement, we are working on strengthening the structure of the organization and making sure each project is being handed over to the right people so it can continue to grow well.
We are also focused on expanding our children and youth programmes, building stronger community outreach, and developing more sustainable income through sponsorship and new ideas.
Alongside that, we are continuing to welcome volunteers and improve the experience for both participants and the community. It is an exciting stage for us because we are not standing still. We are building for the future.
What makes Elvira's Garden easy to market to potential participants?
I think Elvira’s Garden is easy to market because it offers something people are genuinely looking for: a meaningful experience in a beautiful place, with real community connection. Grenada itself is already very attractive to international participants, and when you combine that with family history, cultural exchange, hands-on projects, and the chance to make a difference, it becomes a strong opportunity.
We are also very versatile. Some people are drawn to helping with children and youth, while others are interested in gardening, practical work, events, or community development. On top of that, the setting is warm, welcoming, and memorable. People are not just coming here to work. They are coming for an experience that stays with them.
Playing catch
What is Elvira's Garden's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to create a space that supports children, families, and the wider community through opportunity, encouragement, culture, and consistent care. At the heart of Elvira’s Garden is the belief that community spaces should help people move forward, not backwards. We want to provide a place where children can learn, play, feel safe, and grow in confidence, while also creating opportunities for the wider community and for meaningful international involvement.
We continue to work toward that mission by running programmes for children and young people, hosting camps and special events, building relationships with volunteers and supporters, and constantly looking for ways to make the organization stronger and more sustainable. Every step we take is about creating progress and making sure this space continues to serve people in a real and lasting way.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope participants take away much more than just memories. I want them to leave with a real connection to the people, the culture, and the community here in Grenada. I hope they gain perspective, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of how meaningful it can be to step into a place with an open heart and be part of something bigger than themselves.
I also hope they leave feeling that their time mattered, that they contributed in a genuine way, and that they experienced something real rather than just passing through as tourists. If they go home with new understanding, new relationships, and a sense of purpose, then I feel the programme has done what it should.
How do you help support participants?
We support participants by trying to make them feel welcomed, informed, and included from the start. A lot of people are coming into a new country, a new community, and a new way of doing things, so it is important that they feel guided and comfortable.
We answer questions, help them settle in, explain the culture and expectations, and make sure they understand the work they are coming into. We also try to support them in a personal way, not just a practical one. Because we are family-run and hands-on, people are not left to feel like strangers. We want them to feel part of the environment, part of the team, and part of the experience.
If you could participate on one of Elvira's Garden's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
If I could step into one of our own programs as a participant, I would choose to be right in the middle of camp life, especially during Easter camp or summer camp. That is when the place feels most alive. I would want to be involved with the children, the activities, the laughter, the food, the music, and the full energy of it all. I would also enjoy the gardening and outdoor side of things, because I love seeing the land being used well and watching people enjoy the space.
For me, the best part of Elvira’s Garden is when culture, community, children, and purpose all come together in one place, so that is exactly where I would want to be.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Participants often ask what daily life will really be like, what kind of work they will be doing, what Grenada is like, what they should bring, and whether they will feel safe and supported. They also often want to know how hands-on the experience will be and whether they will get to connect with the local community in a real way.
I usually respond as honestly as possible, because I believe it is important for people to know that this is a genuine, community-based experience. I explain that they should come with an open mind, flexibility, and a willingness to get involved. I also reassure them that we want them to feel welcomed and that we value people who come ready to contribute, learn, and embrace the experience properly.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
It is important because travel helps people grow in ways that staying comfortable often does not. When you experience a new culture, you begin to understand that there are many different ways to live, think, communicate, and solve problems. It builds empathy, respect, and perspective. It also helps people challenge assumptions they may not even realise they have.
For me, travel is not just about seeing beautiful places. It is about human connection, learning, and becoming more open-minded. When people travel well, with humility and curiosity, they return home not only with memories but with a broader view of the world and of other people.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language is important because language is one of the deepest ways to connect with people. Even learning a little shows respect, effort, and a willingness to meet others where they are. It can open doors to better understanding, stronger relationships, and a richer experience of another culture.
Language is not just about words. It carries humour, history, emotion, and identity. I think when people make the effort to learn another language, even imperfectly, it helps break down barriers and reminds us that communication is about more than convenience. It is about connection.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
To me, meaningful travel is not just about visiting a beautiful place and taking pictures. It is about connection, learning, and leaving with a deeper understanding of people, culture, and community.
Meaningful travel happens when someone steps outside their comfort zone, comes with humility, and is willing to experience a place as it really is rather than just as a tourist. It is about being present, building relationships, sharing skills, and allowing the experience to change you.
At Elvira’s Garden, we want people to enjoy the beauty of Grenada, but also to connect with the heart of the island through real community involvement, cultural exchange, and purposeful contribution. For me, that is what makes travel truly meaningful.
By the river
What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And your organization?)
The qualities that matter most to me are honesty, respect, consistency, and genuine care. A strong relationship between a program and its host community should never feel one-sided or performative. It should be based on mutual benefit, open communication, and a real understanding of the people and place involved.
I believe participants should come willing to learn, listen, and contribute, and organizations should be clear, supportive, and rooted in the needs of the community they serve. At Elvira’s Garden, relationships matter. We want people to feel welcomed, like more than just visitors, while also understanding that they are stepping into a real community with real values, real challenges, and real purpose.
When that relationship is built properly, it creates trust, meaningful experiences, and lasting impact for everyone involved.
