Barbados Lottery Partners with The Learning Centre for Fruit Tree Garden Project

Bridgetown, Barbados – May 03, 2019: The Barbados Lottery (IGT Global Services) partnered with the ‘One Tree For Every Bajan’ programme spearheaded by the Walker’s Institute for Regenerative Research, Education and Design (WIRRED), to provide a school garden for the students of The Learning Centre in Orange Hill, St. James.

On April 25, Barbados Lottery volunteers and students teamed up to plant 39 trees and plants, including the Dwarf Golden Apple, Mango, Guava, Bajan Cherry, Pomegranate, and Barbados Nut, as well as Periwinkle, Basil, and many more.

Principal of The Learning Centre Ms. Arlene Arthur said the students enjoyed creating and setting up signs for each tree, with the scientific names identified. “Both junior and senior students were involved,” she said. “The fruit trees, such as Golden Apple, will provide juices for our students and definitely boost their nutrition. The herbs and other plants will be used in our Home Economics classes.” 

Shelly-Ann Hee Chung, Site Operations Manager at The Barbados Lottery, welcomed the partnership. “We are delighted to enhance environmental awareness amongst the students at The Learning Centre, especially during the week commemorating Earth Day. These trees will not only enhance the overall improved ‘green spaces’ factor, but also provide a measure of food security, and present opportunities for further study on food plants and trees by the students of our After School Advantage (ASA) Centre at The Learning Centre.”

The Learning Centre, which currently has 72 students enrolled, is the site of an IGT Global Services ASA Centre. This flagship programme provides computers and other technology, improving access to the digital world for children who would not otherwise enjoy this opportunity.

The ‘One Tree for Every Bajan’ programme is geared toward building a culture of environmental stewardship in Barbados. It also aims to nurture an appreciation among Barbadians of the importance of conservation and trees to our well-being and the environment. The non-governmental organization WIRRED is engaged in pioneering restoration work, transforming a degraded sand quarry to a vibrant beachside forest.