BYBROOK PRIMARY

In December 2016, FOJ funded a small livelihoods project at Bybrook Primary School in Portland Parish. This local agricultural project, benefiting sixty teachers, students, and community members, included:

• One chicken coop built

• One compost bin built and operational

• Three terraced farming plots utilized for the subsequent growing season

According to an initial project report, the coop and compost bin were nearly completed, though they experienced slight adjustments to the original schedule due to heavier rainfall than anticipated.

“Our students learned a tremendous amount about sustainable agricultural practices and expanded science topics (environmental science, life cycle, nutrition, agricultural sciences), which created a well-rounded educational experience at our institution, built trust within the community for our institution, and lifted a long-lasting financial burden within our canteen space,” the project report noted.

The project boosted school morale and built anticipation for the first batch of chickens to use the coop. The compost heap became fully operational and was credited with cutting down litter on the school compound, with a combined effort involving the school's 4H club and grounds staff taking turns to maintain it.

The initiative boosted the nutritional intake of the students as they grew their own food, while the canteen reduced its debts and overhead costs through the local supply of food items. Peace Corps volunteer David Pruitt and his counterpart stated, “We began to improve the overall nutrition of our students through our canteen and improved the beautification and health of our campus (no more loose trash lining the campus). Truly, we were incredibly appreciative and could not thank your organization enough for its support.”