Plant trees for peace

The Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) is encouraging all schools islandwide to register to participate in its Trees for Peace Planting Project before the deadline on March 31.

So far, some 34 basic schools have registered to participate in the initiative in addition to Mount Salem Primary in St James and Denham Town Primary in Kingston.

A collaborative effort between the VPA, Peace and Love in Society (PALS), and the Education Ministry, the project encourages schools to designate a space for a peace garden to plant trees and shrubbery.

The gardens will be areas for dispute resolution, relaxation, and reflection.

“We are planting trees for peace because it is part of an overall programme that we are utilising to improve the behaviour in schools and also reduce the violence in schools and replace it with peace,” chair of the VPA, Dr Elizabeth Ward, said.

Schools interested in participating in the project will be required to share a picture of the planned area that will be converted into its peace garden along with a registration form via email to vpajamaica@gmail.com.

The Forestry Department will assist with providing trees for every school and community but schools can also provide their own trees.

Schools that have maintained their gardens and are able to share how it has impacted their school environment will be recognised on International Peace Day in September.

CONTRIBUTED Dr Elizabeth Ward (centre), chair of the Violence Prevention Alliance, hands over trees to the Denham Town Primary School at Peace Day activities held at the school recently. Also pictured are (from left): Janilee Abrikian, general manager of Peace and Love in Society; Lianna Hylton, head girl at the school; Taquan Irving, head boy; and Eugenie Brown, principal.

GLADSTONE TAYLOR Scores of Denham Town residents took to the streets last week after gunmen invaded their community.