Teachers, students, parents, and community members united on Saturday, January 20, to lend their hands to the installation of innovative polywood garden beds at the Leonora Delville Primary School on Tortola.
This collaborative effort is part of the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) funded BVI SMART Schools project, in partnership with Green VI.
Sarah Penney, Deputy Director at Green VI, shared with 284 Media that the objective of such initiatives is to minimize the environmental impact, fostering a greener and healthier territory. The community-driven project exemplifies the collective commitment to sustainability, with locals actively participating in making a positive change.
District Representative and Junior Minister for Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Karl Dawson, graced the event and expressed his appreciation for everyone who participated.
He emphasized the importance of initiatives like these, focusing on the promotion of gardening as a passion and the broader benefits it brings to the environment.
Dr. Dawson also touched on the significance of composting and its potential impact on the wider BVI community.
He highlighted how these sustainable practices instil valuable skills and knowledge in the students, creating a foundation for a healthier future.
Speaking about the broader BVI SMART Schools project, Dr. Dawson underlined its transformative impact on multiple schools across the territory.
The initiative is fueled by €1.3 million earmarked by the European Union through the RESEMBID Programme and aims to enhance the safety, health, and environmental sustainability of 14 schools in the BVI over two years.
The Department of Disaster Management, in a media release on Tuesday, officially announced the allocation of funds and emphasized the project’s commitment to creating safer, healthier, and greener learning environments.