- NEWSDAY.CO.TT - A la Une - 17/Jul 08:57

Scotiabank, SURE Foundation empower youth through agriculture

The Scotiabank Foundation and the SURE Foundation have partnered to empower youth at the primary school level on the educational, nutritional and environmental benefits of planting crops and trees. As part of the initiative, grow boxes were installed at Bonne Aventure Presbyterian, Happy Hill Hindu School, Harmony Hall Presbyterian, San Fernando Girls’ Government, San Fernando TML, La Romaine RC, Claxton Bay Senior Anglican, Couva South Government, California Government Primary and Balmain Presbyterian. In a release on July 16, Gayle Pazos, senior VP and managing director of Scotiabank TT, saluted all groups involved in making the initiative a success. "This intervention highlights the importance of connecting our youth with agriculture from an early age. "From teaching sustainability and climate action through practical experience to inspiring future careers in agriculture, agri-tech and green innovation, they benefit in numerous ways." The Scotiabank Foundation said these installations provide students with practical, hands-on experiences that promote environmental responsibility, encourage healthier eating habits and nurture a stronger connection to nature. This initiative has been welcomed by educators. [caption id="attachment_1166998" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Claxton Bay Senior AC Primary School students help plant seedlings in the grow boxes at their school with the help of a Scotiabank volunteer.- Photo courtesy Scotiabank TT[/caption] Karen Dalrymple, principal of Claxton Bay Senior AC Primary School, said: "The donation of seedlings and the gift of time was more than generous as it is an extension of our learning environment and the opportunity to reconnect with nature. "This is a great initiative in getting the future generation sensitised to the importance of agriculture and being self-sufficient." The Scotiabank Foundation and SURE Foundation have been working together for over five years, distributing hundreds of thousands of seedlings through various community-based programmes. In 2024, the partnership expanded to include targeted outreach to youth from Police Youth Clubs, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Youth Training Centre – encouraging them to view agriculture as both a productive social activity and a viable career path. Dr Rebecca Gookool-Bosland, president of the SURE Foundation, said: "Over the past several years, this relationship between SURE and the Scotiabank Foundation has been built on trust, shared values and a mutual commitment to fostering incremental development at the individual consumer, household, student and community levels. "Our joint initiatives have placed environmental sustainability at their core. We are particularly pleased with the latest instalment of our initiative, which focuses on youth engagement in agriculture. "By exposing young people to sustainable farming techniques and the potential for agro entrepreneurship, the programme not only equips participants with practical knowledge but also reintroduces agriculture as a viable and dignified livelihood option." Gookool-Bosland said this is a critical intervention in an era where food security, climate adaptation and youth unemployment intersect.   The post Scotiabank, SURE Foundation empower youth through agriculture appeared first on Trinidad and Tobago Newsday.