The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition recently concluded Nutrition Awareness Month with the unveiling of a healthy eating mural at the Soufriere Primary School which is intended to help promote healthy eating, and active living among students, staff members of the school as well as families.
The mural, designed by Visual Arts teacher of the Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School Mr. Yukari Charles with the assistance of a past student, Jackie Lawrence, marked the beginning of a renewed commitment to ensure that every child receives the knowledge opportunity and support to make healthy food choices and to develop healthy eating habits.
Chief Nutritionist in the Ministry of Health, Lisa Hunt, expressed the hope “that every child who passes this mural will be inspired to eat more fruits and vegetables, to drink more water to stay active and value our locally grown foods here in St. Lucia.”
The principal of the Soufriere Primary School, Cecilia Clovis-Haynes, shared similar sentiments, sharing that “[The mural] is opportune for it is more than just paint on a wall, but it is a reminder to our students that the food they eat helps them to grow strong…[and] will ultimately help them to pursue their dreams in life.”
District Education Officer, Joel Charles-Charlemagne additionally expressed gratitude that the primary school was selected for the mural.
Parliamentary Representative for Soufriere- Fond St. Jacques, Honorable Emma Hippolyte, in acknowledging the great merit in the initiative, stated that “One of the things that we have to do in addition to speaking to the kids, is how do we transition them to what we want them to do and it starts by Ministry of Health working with Ministry of Education, so that’s a start. But it also means having serious conversations with the parents in terms of what is in the lunch kits as well as our cooks in the schools and what’s in the canteen, what is offered in the canteen.”
Officials emphasized continued partnership among schools, families, communities and government agencies to create environments where children are supported in making nutritious choices.