African Awareness Day at Ellerton Primary

IT was a celebration of African heritage yesterday at the Ellerton Primary School when that educational institution had its African Awareness Day.

For this occasion, the little ones of the Special Unit and the main school were beautifully and colourfully dressed in their African attire. Some teachers as well as the school’s Principal, Donna Allman, were also decked out in their African outfits.

The morning portion of the day took the form of a show where pupils from Nursery to Class 4 as well as those from the Special Unit showcased their talent to their peers and parents. There were performances in dance, poetry and song. Each presentation was different and interesting.

Throughout the show, students were quizzed on the meaning of various words and phrases such as “waka, waka” and “jambo bwana”. Those who answered correctly were awarded prizes.

The school’s principal told The Barbados Advocate that the day was “a time when our children get to dress up and to showcase their cultural heritage and to realise that black is beautiful and that as black children, they are special and they are important. They are unique and there is a king in them.”

Allman further said that leading up to the event and on the day, students were educated about black persons who have been world changers. These included Rosa Parks, the inventor of the pencil sharpener and the traffic light.

During the morning’s proceedings Sonia Belle, Assistant Co-ordinator of Uplift International Barbados, also gave an update on how the funds donated by Ellerton Primary School to that organisation were used. She said the organisation made a mission trip to Malawi, Africa and the funds went towards a school meals programme there.

She additionally reminded students of the significance of weekly having school meals to enjoy. She urged them not to waste the food that they are given, as there are youngsters globally who do not have access to a weekly school meals service. (MG)