It was a day of student talent and creativity on display when primary school students from the east gathered at the Salybia Primary School to participate in the Eastern District 4-H Festival.
Over 150 students with the support of parents and teachers from the Atkinson, Castle Bruce, Sineku and Salybia Primary Schools participated in the Wednesday afternoon events. This is part of 4-H festivals happening around the country.
On the display table were potted vegetable plants coming from the harvest of the student’s home and school gardens, exhibition of ‘trash to cash’ items and prepared meals promoting Dominica’s local fats.
Each student was given the opportunity to show and tell about the products that they made or activities in which they are involved such as animals rearing, manufacturing of items such as coconut oil and the production of herbal medicines.
4-H Coordinator Shirley Alexander said she was impressed.
“Hopefully we can continue to eat more of what we grow, and grow more of what we eat,” Alexander added.
Friend of 4-H and Agricultural Extension Officer Camille Leblanc expressed similar sentiments.
“We are pleased and satisfied at these 4-H Festivals island-wide to see our young students, producing vegetables and fruits and even preparing records and explaining the methods of preparation. Despite the negative stigma towards the youths and agriculture we are confident with the continuous training of our students our agriculture sector will stay alive and vibrant,” Leblanc said.
In the “Trash to Cash” competition students utilized materials usually thrown away to make valuable items. Teacher at the Sineku Primary School, Isason Nichols said the “Trash to Cash’ has impacted his students positively.
“This program has instilled in our students a sense of conservation and innovation which can help to make them more economically useful citizens,” Nichols indicated.
A word search, impromptu speech competition, along with a song presentation also formed part of the day’s activity.
Kudos to the student and teachers who participate in the 4-H club! May we all seek to join them in pledging our hearts, heads, hand and health for the betterment of ourselves, our community, our country and the world!
Great job Shirley; keep it up