Indira Basu
Program Manager, Language Training and Skills Development
The students and staff at the Finch Centre took the initiative to form an ‘Environment Committee’ and discussed global warming and the environment. On Earth Day, the students participated in taking care of their surroundings and getting actively involved in keeping the environment clean, and safe. The students also re-stressed about recycling materials at the centre. The next major initiative was followed by the ‘Community Garden’ project.
There were numerous bags of soil purchased and perennial plants were collected which were donated by staff, students and friendly neighbours who were gardeners. The students and all the staff members both instructors and childcare staff of the centre participated together as a team in the community event, by planting in the massive concrete planters which are placed at the entrance of the building of the language centre at the Finch Centre.
It was an enriching experience which gave the students a sense of pride to be able to give back to the community and also enjoy the experience of community planting with their classmates, sharing and enjoying the outdoor planting experience.
It is the student’s labour of love and they take pride in their garden as they see them every morning, their sown plants growing, blooming and thriving. The students take turns to water the plants and nurture them and often stand around the garden during break time and identify and refresh the names of the Canadian perennial and annual plants learnt while planting them.
I often see a smile as the students rush by the garden in the morning for their classes, reminiscing of the joys and laughter they shared with their fellow classmates while they made their hands dirty with the soil, planting and creating a garden oasis.
I should definitely give credit to Daniela Vaduva, the instructor at the Finch Centre who initiated the project. Her enthusiasm and burst of creative energy are infectious and motivate the students and staff members alike, to go beyond classroom instruction and teach students about giving back to the community which plays an integral part in the Canadian lifestyle and learning during the student’s language acquisition, settlement and integration process.