Albion Mountain Primary School in Port Maria, St Mary has set its sights on venturing into the cottage industry to offset costs for some of the school’s needs, and assist residents in the surrounding community.

The idea came after the school was awarded for their creative presentation at the St Mary 4-H Achievement Day and Expo held in April.

Participants were tasked with making by-products from sweet potatoes, and Albion Mountain presented an array of items including sweet potato syrup, ice cream, jam, hot sauce, bun, porridge, punch with a special twist and a pancake mix.

Albion Mountain primary school sweet potato products presented at St Mary 4-H Achievement Day and Expo this year.

Senior teacher and 4-H coordinator at the primary school, Autherine Plunkett, said the entire concept presented at the competition was as a result of teamwork.

“Ideas came from parents and students and we did the research,” Plunkett said, adding that there were a few items that were exempted from the expo due to failed trials.

She further disclosed that the home economics department of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority was a big help with guidance and packaging.

“Most of what was done took hours, weeks and the team worked assiduously until we have this,” she added.

Following the achievement, the school, which has a small population of 88 students and six teachers, aims to become self-reliant by using the skills garnered in preparation from the competition.

Looking at the outcome of the hard work and dedication, the school body came to a consensus that should the items be produced on a wider scale, they can empower parents who are unemployed in generating an income whether they are farmers or the ones assisting in making the products.

Albion Mountain primary school sweet potato ice-cream presented at St Mary 4-H Achievement Day and Expo this year.

“This is also one way to teach our students business skills so that they can create their own employment,” Plunkett said.

She added that the sales would also assist with making upgrades to the primary school, starting with retrofitting the library.

“Our library needs fixing up, more books and someone to monitor it,” the senior teacher said.

Plunkett further revealed that along with the sweet potato by-products, they would also venture into making soap, lip balm and lotion.

“This aspect I hope we will see them in villas, hotels, supermarkets as they are created by us with care and diligence,” said Plunkett.

—Ingrid Henry