A few Christian Heritage School students embrace each other while enjoying BTVI’s Health and Wellness fair. NASSAU, Bahamas

A holistic approach was taken at The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institution’s health and wellness fair March 17, as scores of people flocked to the campus to gain information in their journey to good health.

Eager vendors were armed with material and samples, in addition to being ready to demonstrate their skills and products. This year, energy and the environment were added to the regular information including - but not limited to - nutrition, physical fitness, naturopathic medicine, health screenings and financial planning.

BTVI’s Dean of Student Services, Racquel Bethel, noted that as a community partner, the institution finds it beneficial that staff, faculty and students - and by extension the public - receive pertinent information to remain or become healthy.

“Clean water and air are important to our health, so today we are promoting information about properly disposing of waste and conserving energy, including using energy devices,” said Ms. Bethel.

Monique Bevans soaks in information from NewLife Natural Marketing Director, Julio Hall about the company’s products. To his right is Chief Nutritional and Herbal Consultant, Donnaven Sherman.“We are in the business of technical training, but we are dealing with human beings and we want them to have healthy bodies and minds, so they are able to contribute to society,” she stated.

Additionally, Hands for Hunger volunteer coordinator, Tavette Darville, said the organization found the fair to be a great opportunity to solicit volunteers, particularly as there was a wide demographic of students from primary to high schools.

“We do have students who volunteer, and it is important to understand how hunger affects are community. Fifty percent of the 43,000 Bahamians who face hunger are 14 and under. We often think of the homeless being hungry, but there is the working poor, who after paying bills, have no money for food,” she said.

These young ladies struck up a rhythm, as they skillfully handled steel pans during an entertainment segment of BTVI’s health and wellness fair.Meanwhile, an eager fair goer for the second consecutive year was Phyllis Woodside, head of the counseling department at Doris Johnson Senior High School. She said it was not just another field trip for the 10th and 11th graders she chaperoned.

“This is an opportunity for students to be exposed to health and wellness all in a central location. It is fun, but educational and interactive. Those are key elements for young people and hopefully the students are inspired to live healthy lifestyles.

Ms. Woodside added that following the fair, she intended to meet with students for a post mortem, in an effort to ensure they made connections between the information gained and their everyday lives.

BTVI massage therapy student Cara Gibson gives a five-minute stress relief massage to a fair goer.

A Uriah McPhee sixth grader is shown reading a pamphlet about the dangers of illegal drugs

Proprietor of Naturally Bahamian, Denise Worrell (l) shared information with BTVI students Merkelene Miller (centre) and Marcaela Lett (right).

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian