Kingston – In recognition of Earth Day 2021, Food For
The Poor's (FFP’s) Agriculture and Fishing Department spearheaded a
tree-planting exercise at Farquhars Fishing Village in Clarendon on
Thursday (April 22). Farquhars Beach community is one of 14 fishing
villages supported by FFTP.
Each year, April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day across the world to
demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year’s theme,
“Restore our Earth”, aims to remind all of the role in protecting the planet
and its natural ecosystems and resources.
Sherrón Barker, Fishing Manager (below, right) , explained the juxtaposition of forestry
with fishing for this year's exercise. “This year’s theme for Earth Day is
‘Restore the Earth’ and one aspect of this annual event that we want to
look at as a charity is restoring some of our marginalized and rural
communities, through community development and food security" he said.
Barker also noted that the community of Farquhars, and by extension the
fishing village, is one such area being targeted as part of the charity’s
contribution to restoring the earth.
We believe that the planting of fruit trees is critical to food security, as it
provides an added measure to sustain persons in times of need. Fruit
trees also add a certain aesthetic value to communities and therefore helps
to uplift residents.
The tree-planting represents FFTP's commitment to the holistic
empowerment and upliftment of rural communities. The aim is to plant
close to 100 fruit trees throughout the community, including seaside Mahoe
trees, donated by the Forestry Department. FFTP also constructed 48
houses in the community, as well as Farquhars Basic School. It is
expected that every Food For The Poor house in the community will
receive fruit trees following the tree planting activity.
After receiving her breadfruit and June plum trees, one resident
commented, “Special thanks to Food For The Poor for these fruit trees.
These trees represent life! It is a blessing because when you have a tree
that you can plant, nurture and see it bear fruits, which you are then able to
share with others, that is a blessing. ”
Under its "Fruits for the Poor" programme, FFTP continues to support tree
donations in several other communities.
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