By Yves Sidney
Last year around the month of February, KPP’s activities were hitting on all cylinders. And one of our exciting projects was the KPP School Garden (Jardin Scolaire). We had just received funding for this project from the nonprofit organization, One World Group Oxted of London. Four (4) schools had been selected for the project: Ecole Nationale de Figuiers, EFA de Port-a-Piment, Ecole Nationale de Potus, and Ecole Notre Dame du Rosaire since they all had access to land not currently in use.
Then, Covid-19 struck; it brought the project to a screeching halt, except for the garden at Ecole Nationale de Potus. Seven (7) people at the school refused to accept defeat. They stepped forward and completed the project. (See article published on July 14, 2020 for more details).
When school reopened this year, the project began again with a mightier bang than last year. The same four (4) schools were selected with a total of 120 participants. To paraphrase a quotation from an unknown author, “when we thought Covid-19 was a setback, we were actually being re-directed to something better”. For the new year, we introduced a lead instructor. His role is to teach the children in a classroom setting the concepts needed to achieve the vision of the program.
The new vision is simple but profound. We want to teach the children from a young age to learn to work together, listen to each other, and to understand and appreciate the power of synergy of a group. We want them to understand that it is OK to have differing opinions, but differences must be discussed and resolved in a civil manner. We also want to teach them to avoid groupthink and work towards consensus when possible. And more importantly, learn to accept the decision of the group and work to implement it as if they had made it themselves.
These concepts cannot be taught in a short time and need to be constantly reinforced to become a habit. Habits that can be used every day and will shape them as future leaders of our community, the country, and the world.
In addition, the program aims to impact the lives of the children in the areas of Education, Economy, and Nutrition.
The method used to present the program is as follows:
Group sessions in a class setting presenting the theory which covers the concepts outlined above.
Group sessions discussing how to implement the project with opportunities for each member to express their opinion, come to a decision by majority but preferably by consensus.
Define the role of each member of the group.
Field work where each participant takes part in preparing, planting, watering, and the overall care of the garden.
Group sessions to discuss how the concepts are being applied and to include discussions of what went well and areas to improve.
And to head and implement the program, we selected Mr. Marc-Louis Simon (lead Instructor) and Mr. Gayony Elie Germeil {Agronomist.) We also have the support of the principals of the schools, the teachers, and the parents of the children.
Based on reports we’ve received, the project is shaping up to make a positive impact. While the children are learning new concepts, valuable skills in agriculture and teamwork, they are also enjoying themselves. More importantly, they are developing the art of listening and how to work with each other even though they may not agree 100%. In addition, reports from the principals about the involvement of the children and their interaction with the leaders of the program have been very positive.
We are all excited about this program. We believe it will make a difference in shaping these children in becoming leaders for a brighter future. As the saying goes, “The youths are the hope of our future”.
