Four hundred children packed St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity for four days for the environmental programme A Wander Through The Woods.

The free event was specifically created for primary school children to understand the importance of caring for trees and the environment. Activities included Sigar u Bnedmin – a theatre-in-education project performed by members of the Drama Unit from the Curriculum Department; storytelling by author Trevor Zahra; and special performances by Xummiemu.

The programme coordinators, Amanda Palmier from St James Cavalier and Glenn Bugeja from the 34U campaign – Ministry of Rural Affairs and the Environment, concluded the programme by presenting each child with holm oak tree seeds to be planted and grown at home or school.

Neville Ebejer from the Parks Department provided them with complete instructions on how to nurture their sapling.

The project is part of St James Cavalier’s ongoing education programme to use creativity as a tool for personal development. More than 12,000 students participate each year in programmes such as Storytelling, Cool Science for Curious Kids and Books In Action.

Michael Fenech, chairman of St James Cavalier, said he was constantly reaffirming the centre’s position as a prime creative developer for children and young people. He thanked the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Environment for its support, stressing that such programmes depended on support from other institutions.

On the other hand, Glenn Bugeja on behalf of the 34U campaign thanked St James Cavalier for its cooperation and support which made the educational programme a success, because the 34U campaign was not about having a nation-wide tree-planting programme only, but to educate and invite the public to embrace a green environment.

The project A Wander Through The Woods will continue next year when the same children will be invited to Ta’ Qali to plant their year-old sapling.

Schools interested in such programmes, should contact Amanda Palmier on

tel.: 2122-3216 or email: [email protected]; while those interested in participating and contributing towards making our island a greener place to live in, can contact the 34U campaign on tel.: 2295-2333 or by email to: [email protected]