Primary school students start the day right
We’re all familiar with the saying, “Empty crocus sack kyaahn stand up.” That proverb’s equivalent wisdom in the world of education is that “a starving student can’t learn.” This morning I found one Belize City school that’s taken on the task of filling that empty crocus sack with some healthy food.
There was good reason for the children of St. John’s Primary School to clap and sing today. The school recently embarked on a feeding program that has the boys and girls busy in their makeshift kitchen.
It’s called the St. John’s power shake. The mixture, made from Sanotogen high protein powder, Klim and orange juice was put together by John Evans, an American who has been working along with the Anglican Church.
John Evans, Organizer, Feeding Program
“Trying to come up with a low cost, high nutrition, easy to prepare… You can see these kids could do it themselves, it isn’t all that difficult.”
Shawn Muschamp, 12 Years Old
“Two spoons of protein, one spoon of sugar, three spoons of Klim with some orange juice.”
Q: “So it’s nothing too difficult to make?”
Shawn Muschamp
“No.”
Q: “And how do you like the taste?”
Shawn Muschamp
“Nice.”
The feeding program, which commenced at the start of the third term, initially had thirty children randomly selected to drink the daily cup of nutrient, but since then, other children could not resist the temptation… including this reporter.
Jacqueline Woods
“Hmm, hmm. This is good. The St. John power shake is not only delicious, but the drink provides the children with the necessary vitamins needed for them to get through the day.”
And that’s important, says Grace Williams, the principal of St. John’s Primary Upper School. Williams says because of poor economic conditions, some children are sent to school hungry.
Grace Williams, Principal, St. John’s Upper School
“I think it is very important because, I think we are from the poorer class. You know this area has a lot of low class people, I believe and the parents too are single parents. That’s one of the most important things and I think some of them have to go to work very early. The children are left to fend for themselves and you know how children are, they will come out without breakfast and then you know, that’s the most important meal of the day. And so sometimes they come and they don’t feel well because they need something on their stomachs; so it’s very important.”
The program, which is being funded by Evans and other Christian friends, has received such good response from parents and children, that Williams says they might extend the program into the new school year.
In other good news from St. John’s Primary the upper division building is currently being renovated and will be officially dedicated next week.
