Making coconut oil is a traditional activity in Saint Lucia and engaging in this process can help children connect with their heritage. The Banse La Grance R.C. Combined School was the venue of such an activity during its ongoing summer camp. The event was organized by Youth Officer Makeba Anthony, who’s attached to the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.
Youth Leader, Zadee Chicot was given the opportunity to speak about the camp.
“The students went on hiking in the forest in search of coconuts and upon return went through the process, they cracked open the coconut, grating the flesh and extracting the oil.
The idea behind the coconut oil process was to allow the students to experience what the older folks did in the community daily, ” she said.
The students aged between 4-12, and the team leaders 13 -18 years were involved in vegetable planting, various sporting activities, ring games, arts and crafts and team building projects.
Chicot took the opportunity to appeal to students her age to host a camp like this one and to encourage the younger children to come out and have fun during the summer vacation.