Hilton Northolme launches educational garden |07 November 2023
The Hilton Northolme, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, proudly unveiled its sustainable ‘Education Garden’ yesterday.
The opening ceremony at the tourism establishment in Glacis was graced by young students from various educational institutions and their eco-school leaders.
The event commenced with a ribbon-cutting, marking the official inauguration of the garden.
In a compelling speech, principal secretary for the Education Sector Development Department, John Lesperance, remarked, “This initiative is of paramount importance.”
He expanded upon this year being the Pearl Anniversary of the eco-school programme, which fervently promotes environmental education and sustainable practices in schools and communities.
“This aligns perfectly with the goals of the eco-school programme,” he asserted.
Mr Lesperance emphasised Seychelles' heavy reliance on its tourism sector, a fundamental pillar of its economy, attributing its allure to the nation's magnificent and unspoiled environment.
He expressed confidence in the garden's potential to not only captivate but also serve as a crucial educational tool. It would enable students to interact with nature, understand cultivation, and grasp the significance of plants in food security.
He highlighted the numerous academic benefits, noting, “gardening can alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, and the physical activity involved can promote overall health and well-being”.
He urged schools to encourage students to visit and maintain the garden, offering a distinct educational experience.
The general manager of Northolme, Hendrick Calles, post-event, shared the garden's objective, which is to instill a profound comprehension and appreciation for agriculture and its significance in culinary practices.
Mr Calles mentioned collaborations with local schools for weekly planting sessions, as well as partnerships with local farmers like Jacques Matombe.
The involvement of passionate gardeners, chefs, and local experts would enrich the students’ learning experience.
Mr Calles further commented on the importance of community engagement and boosting young Seychellois aspirations through opportunities like this garden.
He noted that Northolme will partner with different schools in the region, namely Glacis, Bel Ombre and Beau Vallon so they could come to the garden regularly to do their part, and later on learn how to prepare the produce into various dishes.
Aline Berlouis, Anse Etoile primary school eco-school leader, praised the Hilton's initiative, seeing it as a beneficial educational model. “I believe it is a great project, and other hotels should undertake similar efforts to enhance the educational dimension,” she expressed.
Stephen Gobin, an 11-year-old from La Retraite primary school, also shared his excitement about planting for the first time, cherishing the unique experience offered by the garden.
The accompanying photos show highlights of the activity yesterday.
Sunny Esparon
Photos by Joena Meme
