About Us
About TDPEG
Established in January 2013, The Disaster Preparedness Education Group is a group of citizens who believe it is their civic duty to prepare and make materials available to all people who live on islands and coastal communities. This non-profit group creates songs, books, skits, lesson plans, dances for creative movement, board games, build-the-facts worksheets, education calendars, decks of playing cards, puppets, and dolls specifically targeting schools, libraries, and parents in their education of children aged 4 and above on a topic so important to us:
Winston Can Come to You!
We are based on the sea islands of South Carolina in the US and on the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.
About Island Winston, The Coconut Man
Island Winston the Coconut Man is really a disaster preparer as well as a citizen scientist. He is friends with Fishbone, a glass fish from India and Anchor, a pirate ship’s anchor, who, due to climate change, live in a deep ocean trench. They all hang out at the Coco Lounge and travel along the beaches and mountainous regions of the islands, accompanied by a rich cast of characters.
Winston and friends are featured in our lineup of books, CDs, puppets, disaster preparedness dolls, and other cool products. Stories are an essential element in learning; a sense of place and experiences are shared, which advances understanding. Music is a powerful tool, letting the listener meditate on the song for a positive effect. Through images and scenes, the listeners learn concepts that prepare them to respond correctly. The songs memorized are recalled in power-changing situations, and the listener maintains a sense of power during disasters.