Olani Alphonso has been making and selling kite frames since the 90’s. He sells his kites in the vicinity of the East La Penitence Market in front of Rambaran’s chicken outlet.
The 47-year-old of Lot 7 East La Penitence, Georgetown, recalls making his first kite when he was just 12 years old and the first kite he made was called “Caddy Ole Punch” with just the usage of ‘pointer’ (coconut leaf spine), sewing thread, pin, ‘glamma’ (Clammy) cherry that would be used as a paste, and kite paper. However, these days Alphonso says he gets his kite paper, and polythene twine from regular hardware stores in Georgetown, wood from the saw mill, and paste from Continental Agencies (paint store).
He explained to Stabroek News that he usually he makes some 400 kite frames per year and his son, Delon, assists him in pasting the kites. The largest kite he has made is 6 feet and the smallest, 6 inches. The prices for his kites range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Alphonso is advising parents and children to fly their kites in an open and safe environment away from any electrical wires.
