In an attempt to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture, the Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges Foundation has partnered with the Regional Democratic Council of Region 10 to help 15 children start kitchen gardens.
The initiative is not only to instill the importance of agriculture in the children but also to pique their interest and distract them from technology, according to Foundation Member Shaquille Grant. Grant said that about three weeks ago the Foundation launched a “Farmtastic” competition, in which 15 children between the ages of 4 and 6, are participating to grow the best garden. Currently halfway through the six-week period granted for the children to successfully grow their garden, Grant said that the children seem excited. He noted that the children were selected from all parts of the region.
He said that the Foundation supplied the children with the gardening tools and equipment to start their gardens. He also said that the children were briefed on how to maintain them.
The participants are also being visited by group members to see progression of the gardens. Grant said that at the end of the six weeks, the first, second and third place winners will be awarded with prizes.
The gardens will also be sold as the foundation hopes to teach the children about financial benefits of gardening as well.
The Foundation is a non-governmental Organisation that started at the Guyana School of Agriculture in 2017. It was created by a group of students sharing a similar vision and wanting to play their part in society by helping those persons who are not that fortunate to access some basic life needs. Grant said that since 2017 the foundation has hosted several charitable events.
