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Riffa Views International School have sprouted a new generation of young gardeners and raised BD700 at its fundraising farmers market in a bid to promote gardening, organic fruit and vegetables.
The event was designed to bring students and their parents into the garden of the school, an area that the market organiser Sandra Carden had described as ‘forgotten’, in order for them to learn about how they can make a difference to the environment.
The event proved to be a success with crowds purchasing cakes, vegetables, books, music, plants and even clothing. Many of the stalls had allocated charities they wished to give the proceeds to and the rest of the money will go towards the school’s garden.
Mrs Carden, garden co-ordinator and Middle School’s Humanities teacher, said: “The idea of the event was to promote gardening, organics and fundraising activities that the children are doing. It’s the best place to have everything come together.
“I wanted the focus to be on the garden. No one comes to the garden area of the school and it has been forgotten. I thought if I can combine selling things and promoting gardening in the area, people could finally see it.
“We have a special garden in our school that we started in September with every seed being planted by a child from nursery up to Grade 9. The nursery students harvested most of the tomatoes and made salsa, which was on sale at the market with a bowl of chips.
“Through events like this, children learn how to protect the environment and how to use it. They also learn about gardening and organic eating. We are moving towards a greener Bahrain … you can’t really save the earth unless you’re really touching it.”
The after-school activity garden group had grown basil and rosemary plants they were selling with herb-inspired recipes attached to the pot for BD1 to raise money for the garden.
Grade 1 pupils decided to raise money for the Room to Read Foundation, a non-profit organisation for improving literacy and gender equality in education, and collected a number of used books that went on sale.
They were also supported by Grade 6 students who were in charge of the ‘used uniforms campaign’ where people had donated school clothing they no longer needed. Money raised will go towards the RIA Centre, dedicated to promoting awareness of special needs in Bahrain, and the Dubai Centre of Special Needs, a centre that the school often provides with community service.
The students in Grade 4 decided to raise money for the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) through their own little thrift shop, selling items that were donated to them as well as the stand-out of the day … a bake sale.
Grade 4 pupil Shahd Al Hasan, nine, from Janabiyah, said: “I’ve been having a lot of fun. All the money we’re raising is for the BSPCA. I’m really happy because I love animals. I have a puppy called Cece and I’m happy to know the money will be used to look after other dogs like her.”
Educational stalls were also provided throughout the day with students teaching visitors about cultivating worms.
Educator Ebrahim Hameed, who was a special invitee, provided a demonstration on how to make compost.
Grade 6 pupil Matthew O’Brien, 11, from Jasra, said: “The cool thing about our garden is that we get to grow and eat our own crops.”
The school set up an orchard four years ago with almost 50 trees made up of citrus, jojoba, almond, mulberry and guava trees. Most of them are expected to bear fruit by next year.
