Children’s interest piqued through backyard gardening
Published:Saturday | May 22, 2021 | 12:08 AMJudana Murphy/Gleaner Writer
The Nest Children’s Home in Kingston has been equipped with a vegetable garden of cucumber and pak choi, as part of national Child Month activities.
More than 1,200 children are housed in 52 residential childcare facilities across Jamaica.
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has partnered with the agriculture ministry to create 11 vegetable gardens between May and December, while the remainder will be completed within a two-year period.
Captain Keith Haughton manages the facility which is home to 21 children, between the ages of five and 15.
“The last time I checked, the bill runs at about $400,000 to $500,000 per month. This initiative is very important because some of the things that we buy, we will be growing them. We might just shave off a nice $100,000 off the bill with this backyard gardening,” Haughton explained.
He added that the children are very interested in agriculture, and were involved in the day-to-day upkeep of their pumpkin crop last year.
“They love to do the watering. They are the ones who normally check and tell us what is blossoming or what is on the vine,” the manager said.
Rosalee Gage-Grey, CPFSA chief executive officer, shared that as per policy, children are required to have three meals and two snacks per day.
“We have been encouraging the homes to do some sustainability plan in terms of food. This is a good start, the children seem very interested and we want the homes to build them out a little more so that it can contribute significantly to the food in the facilities,” she reasoned.
Gage-Grey said food bills across homes vary based on population and support from donors.
She added that the end goal is for children to have an understanding of how to grow food and the importance of choosing healthier options.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green pointed out that the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) would be rolling out and maintaining the backyard and container vegetable gardens.
They will also provide technical support and training for caregivers and children about crop care.
“The earlier we can get our children to appreciate the concept of food security – how they get their food and the fact that it is related to agriculture and fisheries – the more we will see them going into the area and see it as a valued profession,” Green said, as he emphasised the significance of the project.
For his part, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Robert Morgan said that many of the children have been through traumatic experiences, and gardening is a therapeutic activity that can help them to cope.
“Having them plant trees and nurture them also gives them a sense of responsibility. We really appreciate RADA and the agriculture ministry for coming on board and helping us with this initiative,” Morgan remarked.