MAMMEE BAY, St Ann — Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School in Steer Town, St Ann, in partnership with Sandals Foundation, last Thursday hosted a memorable event to mark International Peace Day.

This event wasn’t just a one-day festivity as it marked the inception of a transformative project for the Steer Town community — a peace garden and a boys’ mentorship programme which will be conducted as part of a three-year partnership between the Sandals Foundation, Violence Prevention Alliance, and Coca-Cola LA. This initiative will be officially launched in November at this year.

The theme guiding the day was ‘Taking action for PEACE — our ambition for the global goals’.

The most touching moment unfolded as the children of Chalky Hill Primary, along with their teachers and principal, joined Sandals Foundation volunteers from Sandals Dunn’s River to plant seeds in the newly inaugurated peace garden. These seeds, carefully nestled in fertile soil, symbolise collective hopes and aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous future. As the children watered the seeds, the act represented a poignant metaphor: They weren’t just planting greenery; they were sowing seeds of hope.

Sandals Foundation volunteers, renowned for their unwavering commitment to community development and peace, shared their definition: “Peace embodies unity, caring for one another, and striving for the welfare of all.” This echoes the essence of International Peace Day, urging individuals and communities to stand united for a world free from conflict and inequality.

Chalky Hill Principal Christine Badhaal McBean emphasised the importance of taking action for peace, stating, “Peace is not merely the absence of war; it’s a state where our minds and hearts find tranquillity, and our actions reflect kindness and cooperation. It’s our responsibility to nurture peace within our community, like a delicate flower that can blossom and spread its fragrance across the world.”

In further affirmation of the day’s significance, Lisa McFarlane, a senior teacher at Chalky Hill Primary, added her perspective: “The Sandals Foundation’s dedication to Chalky Hill Primary extends beyond this event. They’ve committed to return and collaborate with the school to complete the peace garden, ensuring it thrives and serves as a constant reminder of the importance of peace within the community.”

Shannon Curtis, Sandals Dunn’s River Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) intern, also shared her thoughts: “Being a part of an organisation that takes initiatives like International Peace Day is truly heart-warming. The Sandals Foundation’s commitment to nurturing peace within our schools and neighbourhoods is an investment in the future of Jamaica — and it’s an honour to be a part of this journey.”

Prudence Gibbs Segree, teacher at Chalky Hill Primary and Infant, added, “In these times of global challenges and uncertainties, events like International Peace Day celebration remind us of the positive change attainable when communities and organisations unite with a shared purpose. As the peace garden continues to flourish it stands as a living testament to the power of collaboration and the resolute ambition to achieve global goals for a more peaceful world.”

As the Violence Prevention Alliance aptly expressed in a special International Peace Day message to mark the occasion, “Peace gardens hold great potential. They encourage collaboration, social interactions, physical well-being, and a sense of belonging. They are places where seeds of hope, unity, and continuity are sown, blossoming into the very fabric of peaceful communities. So, as we cherish the heart-warming celebration at Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School, let’s bear in mind that peace begins within ourselves and our communities. By tending to the seeds of hope and cooperation we collectively nurture a brighter and more peaceful future for all.”