A group of school children from the Maria Regina College Mellieha Primary School were the protagonists in planting Oak and Pine trees at Rdum tal-Madonna in Mellieha organised by Bank of Valletta in collaboration with The Rural Development Department-Parks and Initiatives as part of the Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.
Following the tree planting event, children were invited to a green tour of the surroundings by John Neville Ebejer, an officer from The Rural Development Department-Parks and Initiatives. Species and wildlife aspects of the flora and fauna found in the area could be appreciated by those present.
Mark Marmara’, BOV’s environmental manager spoke highly of this activity, thanking both the Ministry for their assistance and the Mellieha Primary School who made this event possible with their collaboration. “This initiative gives an opportunity to these children to appreciate nature on location, witnessing the beauty in a different environment away from textbooks and school desks. Hands-on experiences provide in-depth understanding and this is what we seek out of each opportunity we have within BOV’s green agenda. We cannot say that we truly appreciate nature if we do nothing to preserve and care for it, starting with educating the younger generations.”
Ms Mary Rose Cordina, Head Mistress and Mr John Buttigieg Assistant Head of Maria Regina College Mellieha Primary School together with Claudia Chetcuti, branch manager at BOV’s branch in Mellieha cooperated to organise the tree planting activity in the designated area.
Ms Cordina explained the importance the school places on extracurricular educational activities involving the environment. “A good teacher inspires hope, instils imagination and is the root of learning. Opportunities such as today’s event provide schools with the necessary support to extend this learning into practical sessions where what is learnt can be applied and appreciated closely.”
Bank of Valletta will be planting a total of 1600 trees during its financial year ending September 2014 as part of its commitment towards the environment.