Students Bring Environmental Awareness To The Forefront

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad: December 11, 2015: NALIS’ Amphitheatre, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain was abuzz with activity on November 20 as over 250 students participated in the annual Environmental Storyfest, in commemoration of Universal Children’s Day 2015. The children came from schools in the Port of Spain area and eagerly displayed their theatrical skills. Sponsored by Republic Bank Limited and supported by NALIS StoryFEST, the event was part of Project AWARE (A Wonderful and Rare Earth)

The Culture House initiative, led by Theodora Ulerie, Creative Director, fondly know as Auntie Thea - The Mystic Storyteller, was used as an instrument to arouse national consciousness on wide-ranging environmental issues.

In her opening remarks, Auntie Thea stated, “The aim of Storyfest is not as much to have these children stand before you and deliver great presentations of their stories, but it is used to engender and instil in them a love for stories - for listening to them and for reading them.”

Speaking at the event, Republic Bank’s Social Investment Officer, Nadia Williams, in speaking to the students said “Today through art & culture, you will share your views and remind the nation that you are entitled to a clean and habitable earth and that we as adults owe it to you to keep our planet intact.”

She also congratulated Culture House on the timely initiative and expressly thanked the teachers for allowing the students to become involved in preserving their environment.

Dr. the Hon. Francis Lovell, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education in delivering the feature address, related interesting anecdotes based on his childhood memories. “There were times when I was made to account for my misdeeds by my mother, who demanded that I relate to her the reasons for my behaviour.” This he said was the basis upon which he learned the art of relating or sharing stories. He also encouraged the children to take responsibility for their environment and to remember that they are the seeds of the future.

Princess Folashade of Nigeria was also present at the event and reminded the students that storytelling was the vehicle through which ancestral teachings were passed down to generations in her land.

Each school received a participatory award of $2,000.00, and storytellers received Right Start vouchers courtesy Republic Bank.

Republic Bank is proud to have sponsored this Environmental Storyfest as part of its focus on youth development through the arts and culture.