Over the past few months, Mercy schools have been engaged in a variety of environmental activities as part of its mission to Care for the Earth. Our students and staff have shown great enthusiasm in learning about and engaging in the different ways in which they can help to nurture and protect the environment. Thus far, this has been done through recycling, Climate Change sensitization workshops, and tree planting.
Recycling
Earlier this year, the Sisters of Mercy of Jamaica developed a recycling initiative across the Mercy schools on the Alpha property. Ten clearly marked recycling bins were installed on the grounds of Alpha Primary School, Jessie Primary School, Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” (aka Alpha Academy), the Alpha Vocational Training Centre (AVTC) and the newly opened Jessie’s Cafe. Through this, we hope to engender a culture of recycling and sustainable waste management among both our Mercy students and staff.
Climate Change sensitization workshops
In the months of May and June, members of the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) led fun and engaging Climate Change sensitization workshops with students from Alpha Primary School, Jessie Primary School, Alpha Academy, and the Alpha Vocational Training Centre. JET is Jamaica’s leading non-governmental organization aimed at protecting the environment through public “education, advocacy and the law”. Through these extremely informative workshops, students engaged in interactive discussions about the history and definition of climate change and how it affects all of our lives today within the Jamaican context.
The primary school students got creative by drawing scenes of what a future Jamaica would look like with and without adequate climate action. The older students formed groups in which they designed and planned their own youth-led campaigns which could tackle various climate issues (e.g. water shortage, waste management, deforestation etc.).
Inspiring videos and presentations were also shown which encouraged students to become Climate Heroes in their own contexts. In light of this, students took turns making personal pledges to engage in actions which mitigate the effects of climate change going forward. The Mercy schools will be sure to work alongside these students to help them fulfil these Earth Care commitments.
Tree Planting
Also in June, students from these four Mercy schools gathered on the Alpha Campus for an exciting tree planting activity. Guided by two gardening experts, these students loved getting their hands dirty as they planted a variety of trees and plants such as Cypress, Almond, Lignum Vitae, Poui, Bougainvillea, Christmas Palm, Ginger Lily and more. Throughout this process, they were taught about the plants’ features, names, uses and more.
These plants will later bloom to produce a colorful vibrant garden space for all Mercy students and staff to enjoy. With requests made for future gardening sessions in the new school year, we are excited to continue involving our Mercy students in the development of what we lovingly refer to as the Memorial Garden in honour of the Sisters who helped to make Alpha what it is today.
Overall, our Mercy school community has been having a blast in working together to address our critical concern for the environment. With plans to develop a compost heap on the Alpha property and to continue developing the Memorial Garden, we look forward to creating more opportunities for students and staff to care for the Earth.
