Eco Fit touches 3 000 students; looking to expand

The Eco Fit Youth Initiative, a programme dedicated to sustainability and healthy living, is set to expand its reach across the Caribbean.

Having already transformed the lives of over 3 000 students in Barbados, the programme is now poised to inspire a new generation of eco-conscious, health-aware young people throughout the region.

The initiative has made a lasting impact on over 3 000 students across 20 primary schools. Now, it is set for further regional expansion, with founder Ashley Lashley announcing plans to introduce the programme in two additional Caribbean countries.

Lashley, speaking at the Eco Fit Youth Finale at Wildey Great House, said that the initiative has already extended beyond Barbados, with partnerships in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.

“Last year we also partnered with the government of Antigua and Barbuda to host the Eco Fit Youth Summer Camp programme and the Media Trivia for children in that country,” she said.

“This [event] engaged over 100 school students like yourself, and we also worked with a not-for-profit organisation in Dominica, called

Project CT, where together with other partners in Dominica they visited ten primary schools spreading the message about environmental stewardship and also healthy living.

“I am indeed proud to announce that this year we’ll be expanding the programme to two additional countries, with the ultimate goal of having it regional or global.

Our mission is simple, to really inspire young people everywhere to take action on climate change, promote the five Rs of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose and Refuse and of course adopt healthier lifestyles.”

But she called on young people to get involved in charitable activities.

“One of the major challenges we face in Barbados and leading an NGO is the decline with young people and children interested in volunteering. Volunteering is one of the most effective ways to make a difference in your community, and we need more young people to really get involved in the spirit of helping different not-for-profit organisations.

“Collective action can lead to significant change,” she stressed.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, also spoke to the gathering of primary school students participating in the healthy exercise programme and stressed that Barbadians must take an interest in protecting and nurturing Barbados’ youth.

He said: “In this country, children are our most precious resource and we have to take care of them, we have to make sure that they are safe from abuse, safe from violence, safe from neglect, the teachers have a job to do [and] they have been doing a good job, but at the community level, we also have to be responsible for these children.

“I think it’s going to be important as we go forward, as we care about these other matters, we have foremost to take care of the children so that they can take care of themselves and this country that we love so much.” (SB)