The push for a hydration station at the St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School was started by the former principal. It was however, the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) of the school which made a concerted effort to ensure they took the partnership with sponsor, Calvin Alkins Custom Services, over the finish line.
Despite being the 21st station added to The Hydrate Programme by Newport, its significance is much more than just adding a water cooler to another school in Barbados. This was stressed upon by Music Teacher at the school, Mr. Farley, who spoke on behalf of the current principal, Mr. Peter Corbin.
“As students, on the surface, you might say it’s just another water cooler, but believe me, it is of way more significance.”
“Over the past decade, in Barbados, and all over the world, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have been the major cause of death. It is said that NCDs now exceed deaths of all the other ailments combined. So when you understand that NCDs are a lifestyle condition, you understand that NCDs can be reduced or prevented by simply employing some lifestyle changes… like diet changes, exercising, breathing good air, eating fresh, local fruits and vegetables and good hydration.”
Mr. Farley drove home the point by adding that if we take a look at the COVID deaths in Barbados, most of those people had these same underlying conditions – NCDs.
Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport with Sponsor Calvin Alkins, a former student of St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary and representatives of the School at the event.
“We fought COVID and took responsible steps, so why not take the same level of responsibility in fighting NCDs?
“This initiative today fits well into the National Nutrition Policy, because at the beginning of the school year, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training outlined its Nutrition Policy, of which reducing the intake of refined sugar and drinking more water is prominent. This was a bold step.”
Ending by highlighting his gratitude for the station and its sponsorship by Calvin Alkins Custom Services, Farley identified that the need at the school for a safe water source was high, as during COVID they had to throw away a lot of their old, traditional water fountains, branding them “inefficient”.
“A journey of 1000 miles begins with one step. Let the journey of our fight against NCDs here at
the St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School begin with a simple hydration station.”
Sponsor, Calvin Alkins, a former student of St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School, explained why he was inspired to give back to his alma mater.
“We believe that while at school, there is a need for us to fear God, think clean and aim high, and that has been the foundation of me, my business and my entire life.
“When the PTA asked me to sponsor this station, it was a no-brainer for me, because I always wanted to find a way to continue to give back to the school that raised me up.”
He implored the boys to make sure that the hydration station is always clean, presentable and well taken care of.
Hon. G.P Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, another former student overseeing the unveiling, mused, “Like Mr. Alkins, St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary raised me up.”
“I have to join those who spoke before me in commending Mr. Alkins for giving back. Giving back is a critical part of what I refer to as corporate social responsibility. I really want to salute the sponsor, and I also want to salute Newport for coming up the initiative.”
Echoing those who spoke before him, the Honorable Minister added, “And if you look at the top three areas currently associated with NCDs in the Caribbean, it would be vascular, diabetes and strokes and any attempt to reduce the cost of NCDs in the country, is to be applauded.”
“I am not the Minister of Health and Wellness, but I once held that position and the recent initiative that was announced by that ministry, in respect of the reduced incidences of NCDs must also be applauded.”
“I encourage you students to engage in healthy lifestyles, and it is important that you do, so you remain fit and you will help us to carry forward the country and generation in a healthier way.”
The Hydrate Programme has now surpassed 1 million bottle fills across the stations placed in schools and public spaces in Barbados, and according to Tyla Miller, Business Development Executive at Newport, “These numbers prove that stations are being seen, appreciated, and incorporated into daily lives.”
To find out more about the Hydrate Barbados initiative visit their website – www.newport-water.com/hydrate-barbados. (PR)
