Before
Getting work done!
The finished project and all of the participants.
This afternoon we went to the St. Benedict Primary School. This school was located in the mountains on a very steep road, just down the way from the beautiful Mount Saint Benedict Abbey. Here we had the opportunity to do a service project. We redid raised gardens in the lot of the school, where the students of UWI would then upkeep them once we were gone. I loved this opportunity because I was able to engage in my major. Libby and I, Community Leadership majors, were the team leaders and our task was to make a plan to redo the garden beds in an effective and inclusive way. We then split our group of students where one half worked with me on flattening out the soil on four beds, redoing the watering system, cleaning up a mound garden, and planting new vegetables. The other half were with Libby and did a lot of deweeding on other beds as well as planting new vegetables in those beds.
The children at the school were so kind and engaged, they worked hard with us the entire time, and absolutely loved planting new vegetables. We began by leveling off the beds that had sand and gravel as their soil, using shovels and hos, as well as removing weeds and unwanted plants that were in the bed. The children loved shoveling the soil, they would constantly take my shovel so they could work harder. Once the beds were deweeded and level, the Dean of the Agriculture Faculty at UWI, Dr. Ganpat, came and directed us with where to plant what. We ended up planting cabbage, lettuce, celery, okra, and more. The children’s favorite part was planting the vegetables in the gardens, even the littles, no more than 5 years old, were eager to plant.
Once we completed the beautiful gardens we had a Christmas party for the students. We began with doubles, a delicious, Trini street food. We then enjoyed wonderful Christmas music by a band of students, playing maracas, small guitars/ukuleles, and a bass that was made from a box, stick, and string. We were able to learn a Spanish Christmas song, and even teach the children our signature, American Christmas carol, “Jingle Bells.” We then handed out a goody bag to each of the staff, and a wrapped present and goody bag for each of the students as well. We ended the night enjoying some delicious pizza from Pizza Hut. This opportunity was very enjoyable and fulfilling. The children were so much fun to play with and enjoyed us being there. All of the trinis that were there were so grateful, you could not deny it.