Eleven University of Calgary in Qatar nursing students conducted a healthy eating campaign at a local elementary school recently. With the help of a local farmer, they gave students at Newton School, D-Ring, a lesson in gardening.
“We thought that if we showed the children how to plant seeds and care for them that it would be beneficial for them to know where the food comes from that makes up their meals every day,” explained Sara Saleh Al Marri, the UCQ student group leader. “The students seemed very excited about this and couldn’t wait to tell their parents about it.”
A variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers were planted including green beans and tomatoes in large planters. The young gardeners will care for them along with individual plants they each planted in small cups.
“It has been very exciting having the UCQ students working with us. It is bringing us closer with our community and working with others. In Year 2, we learn about seeds and planting our own flowers. Having the farmer in doing this with us and showing us all the different healthy foods we can grow was super,” stated Danielle Byrne, Head of Primary. UCQ nursing instructor Debbie Sheppard-Lemoine said that the student’s project is supportive of the National Primary Health Care Strategy. “Our student’s work responds to helping people live healthy lives by encouraging healthy eating. It also supports preventative health care initiatives by promoting healthy eating, especially for primary school children.”The Peninsula
