Soufriere Primary and Bagatelle Primary will establish sustainable school gardens under the EU-CaN Cultivating Futures Project to promote food security.
Dominica: Two schools in Dominica, Soufriere Primary School and Bagatelle Primary School, have been chosen to take part in the EU-CaN Cultivating Futures Project. The schools will receive support as they establish sustainable gardens where students will gain knowledge on how to cultivate food, understand healthy eating and care for the environment.
The selection was announced by the Zero Hunger Trust Fund (ZHTF), who revealed that a total of 10 schools, from among 30 in the region, have been selected following the project’s assessment application process.
Under the theme “Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region,” the project will provide students with practical training in sustainable agriculture, nutrition and climate-resilient practices to strengthen the country’s food security.
Funded by the European Union under the EU Caribbean Fund, this initiative was officially launched two weeks ago on July 16 and is designed to be an 18-month long project that transforms school gardens across the region into living classrooms.
During the launching ceremony, ZHTF Director/Chief Executive Officer and Project Manager, Safiya Horne-Bique, stated, “This project will cultivate gardens, certainly. But more importantly, we will cultivate knowledge, responsibility, confidence, healthier habits and a stronger appreciation among young people of where food comes from and the role they can play in shaping the future of our regional food systems.”
Horne-Bique added that the main goal is to have stronger schools, more resilient communities and healthier children.
The ZHTF has taken to Facebook to congratulate the selected schools, sharing that it looks forward to collaborating with the schools.
We look forward to working alongside the selected schools as they inspire students, strengthen school communities and cultivate a new generation of champions for sustainable agriculture, nutrition and food security! shared the Zero Hunger Trust Fund.
The remaining eight schools that have also been chosen include, Paraclete Government School, River Sallee Government School and St. Martin de Porres Catholic School in Grenada; Augier Combined School and Ciceron R.C. Combined School in Saint Lucia; and Bequia Anglican Primary and Early Childhood Centre, Calliaqua Anglican School and Chateaubelair Methodist School in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.