Kites anyone?

QUALITY, affordable kites can be had at the Buxton Kite Camp, East Coast Demerara, an annual set-up by locals headed by Marvin Cole, who specialises in kites for the Easter season and this year, it is no different.

Cole, who has a full-time job as a Senior Lab Technician with the Ministry of Public Works, would dedicate time after work to overseeing the smooth operations of the Kite Camp on the Buxton Public Road.

He was born on November 1, 1976, and grew up at Lot 30, Buxton Village, and later relocated to Lot 150, Vigilance North, on the East Coast of Demerara, his current address.

Cole told the Pepperpot Magazine that he developed a love for kite-making in his boyhood days as he would sit and watch his father make kites from scratch at their home.

He added that he started making kites on a small scale in 1988 after he was gifted a fancy eagle kite by an aunt visiting from the United States of America (USA).

And he went out all excited to fly that kite, but his joy was short-lived when that kite refused to go up at first, and when it did, it fell and flew away before it broke apart as well.

That incident left Cole traumatised, and he soon realised that those imported, fancy-looking kites were no good.

He then decided that he would no longer be disappointed and started to make his very own kites, kites that were strong and would last through the season of kite-flying, so children would truly enjoy their time outdoors.

This Vigilance resident said the need for him to make proper kites was further galvanised when his father migrated to Trinidad and Tobago in 1986.

Cole related that when he started back then, it was just him, his brother and eight others; they had a little makeshift tent they used to make kites to sell.

Today, at his kite camp, he employs 40 young men and women from Buxton, who put in hours upon hours of work to make hundreds of kites daily, an event that started just after Christmas.

He reported that everyone has a role to play in kite-making; they have different tasks to complete before a kite is finished, and they are all aware of their responsibilities.

Cole stated that kite-making started with a plan, a meeting with all employees first, even before materials were bought, which included the wood to make the kite frames, kite paper, twine, tail, bamboo sticks and paste.

He noted that a group of young women from the community would also play their part by making kites at home to earn money, and that the money is paid equally.

Cole explained that they make all types of kites, including star point, hassar, diamond, seven-point, star, round-the-world, seven-point, seven-diamond, six-point, six-diamond, box kites, star kites, and bird kites in both plastic and paper.

He pointed out that they made a Guyana flag kite, a large bird kite that has already been sold, and, in addition, a One Guyana six-foot kite and a five-foot Guyana kite, both of which were ordered and sold.

Cole revealed that, per week, they could collectively make 100 fully outfitted kites with tails, twine, and balla for as low as $2,500 per kite, depending on style and size.

He disclosed that last week they made 280 kites to fill an order, and the design was simple; they usually meet their customers’ targets.

This seasoned kite-maker told Pepperpot Magazine that his preparations began at the start of January this year with his team, and so far, they are doing well, as everyone is doing what they are supposed to.

The five-foot plastic kite on display was very pleasing to the eye, as was the six-foot One Guyana-themed kite, which sold for $30,000.

Cole explained that he also made 200 kites for the Office of the President and varying amounts for other companies and agencies in both the private and public sectors.

“This kite camp will be opened daily and will close and this tent taken down on Easter Monday, the last day of kite-flying, so I urge you to come and get your kites early because, as you can see, it goes fast. We can barely keep up with the demand,” he said.

He added that the Buxton Kite Camp will be open daily, including Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, which will be the busiest days for selling and completing kites.

Cole pointed out that they also make tiny kites and have those in stock, especially suited for the ‘regular girls’ who won’t want to carry around a big kite on Easter Monday.