We all know about the three R's that every child should learn in school but what about a fourth - and that would be 'R' for reaping. That's what children from Bethany Baptist School are learning. But it's not just a lesson, it's a tradition - a Swahili tradition that teaches a lesson as big as life itself. Jacqueline Godwin found out more.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
We are not sure just how many of these three and four year olds will grow up to be farmers but these Belize City children are being taught that they can grow many of the healthy vegetables that they enjoy in their favorite foods at home or at school.
Karen Lewis, Principal - Bethany Baptist Preschool
"So the children are learning that they can plant and they can eat of their own labor. They do not have to go out and buy and actually eat what they plant, reap what they plant."
The preschoolers not only eagerly watched as their planters' box was painted but they could not wait to get their little hands dirty as they helped to fill bags of soil and planted the seeds that will produce a variety of vegetables and some roses. The activity was the first for the early learning institution.
Karen Lewis,
"Well it's actually for the children and it is a way of teaching them that they can do things with their hands you know. You do not have to go to the market and buy everything. You can actually get down into the dirt and plant it and harvest it and it is such a good feeling when you do it yourself and you can eat of it."
The first set of seeds should sprout some tomato, broccoli and even cilantro.
Karen Lewis,
"What will you guys do with the vegetables? Okay, good question. We have lessons that we teach about healthy eating, about eating fruits and vegetables so whenever we gather the first harvest, I am going to call you back and then the children will actually be eating. They will be eating the tomato, the cilantro and the broccoli that we planted this morning."
The outdoor activity was also the first community project initiated and sponsored by the youth group, Kawaanza Club that was established two years ago.
Michelle Jacobs, Assistant Volunteer - Kawaanza club
"The youth group was formed mainly to provide a solution to doing something positive in the community and it was Miss Virginia Echols' idea and she used some of the principles from the Kawaanza book that was started by Dr. Marlana Carenga. It is a Swahili word. It means first fruit and is what we see our kids as was our first fruit."
Even special needs children like five year old Doris Staines. Staines is the spina bifida student 7NEWS featured in September 2007 when she was unable to enroll in the regular
school system because of the lack of resources to assist children with such health conditions. As a result, Doris was returned to her preschool. But there is some encouraging news to report. Today principal Karen Lewis says plans are finally underway to get young Doris in the regular school system.
Karen Lewis,
"Doris is back here at Bethany Baptist Pre-school and she is doing well I must say. The situation with her is that the schools are equipping themselves with wheel chair ramps and changing rooms to accommodate her special needs condition. Come September hopefully she will be ready and the school will also be ready to accommodate her properly. It would not be fitting. This is my opinion, it would not be fitting for her to go into infant one at this time because she has already missed almost a term and a half. So she will be behind the other children but come September I know that she will be ready and also the schools will be ready to accommodate her properly."
In the meantime Doris and her sixty three other classmates are having fun at school with their new learning project. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
The youths from the Kawaanza Club hope to have other community projects in Belize City.
