Last summer, with the generosity of the Robert Keyes Poole Grant, I traveled to the island of Marie-Galante in Guadeloupe to restore coral reefs. This has been a long-term passion-project of mine that I began pursuing in my sophomore year at Taft.

      Coral reefs around the world have been harmed by climate change, specifically rising ocean temperatures. Half of the world's oxygen is generated from coral reef systems. The algae that grow on the coral reefs are what produce the oxygen. They provide protection for the coast from storm damage. They act as a sanctuary for tropical fish, which the entire food chain relies on. There are lots of estimates, but most show that 50% of the world's coral reefs have disappeared in 30 years.

      My work on the island consisted of technical diving in the morning for periods of 3-4 hours, establishing a proper site to introduce a coral nursery, and, towards the end of the trip, completing the installation of the nursery. In the evenings, I had the time to explore the island on my own time and connect with people through experiences such as the Terres De Blues Music Festival, the largest event that the island of Marie-Galante hosts all year.

      Another fascinating aspect of my experience of connecting with locals was gaining an understanding of the history of the island, as well as modern political issues that affect the citizens. My family is from the French, British, and Dutch islands of the Lesser Antilles, including Guadeloupe. It was extraordinary to be able to reconnect with my ancestors' way of life while pursuing such a meaningful goal.

      The two languages on the island of Marie Galante are Creole and French. I speak neither. The most memorable moment of the trip (aside from diving) was entering a local shop in the highlands located in the interior of the island and meeting a family that had never encountered an American before, but were so eager to connect on a personal level. One of the most significant takeaways from my trip, that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my Taft experience and beyond, was that there was a natural understanding that transcended the language barrier. People were eager to connect despite differences; we found common ground through shared experience. I would like to express my gratitude to the Taft School and the grant committee for giving me the incredible opportunity to pursue this critical work over the summer.

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Rhys’s travel to Guadeloupe was made possible in part by a Robert Keyes Poole’50 Fellowship grant. Established in memory of Robert Keyes Poole '50, Taft teacher from 1956 to 1962, Robert Keyes Poole ’50 Fellowships are awarded each year to enable Taft students to engage in travel or in projects consistent with Mr. Poole’s lifetime interest in wildlife and the environment.