Students at ASJA Girls College are now growing crops in a cutting-edge solar-powered hydroponics system, thanks to a partnership between the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (TTAEE) and Soroptimist International Esperance.
Students to Grow Greens in EPIC-Funded Greenhouse
The school’s agri-science students will be growing kale, patchoi, cabbage, lettuce, and other leafy greens in the innovative greenhouse. This project is funded by the Digicel Foundation’s ‘Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities’ (EPIC) program in collaboration with Shell Trinidad and Tobago.
At the launch event, student Anisha Jailal called the project an exciting venture for her and her peers. She shared that it also held a personal significance, as her father has started a similar unit at home and her mother is teaching the technology to her Standard 3 students.
Hydroponics System Boosts Student Learning
Ms. Ramsaran, the school’s Agriculture teacher, explained that the new system is crucial for student learning and school-based assessments. Through the sustainable harvest program, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by applying scientific principles to manage the system for optimal results.
Richard Ramrattan, Project Manager at TTAEE, explained that the project did not originally include a shade house. However, when the cabbage began showing signs of overexposure to sunlight, the team added a 30% UV-treated shade cloth.
Commitment to Sustainability and Food Security
Digicel Foundation CEO Penny Gomez highlighted the foundation’s commitment to supporting projects that tackle crucial issues like sustainability and food security. She noted that this year’s EPIC Grant program focused on community initiatives in agriculture, renewable energy, and the environment.
She also expressed gratitude to co-sponsor Shell Trinidad and Tobago for supporting EPIC partners.
“This partnership is built on shared values, and we hope it sets a precedent for what is possible when like-minded entities come together with a common purpose. We are not only collaborating to support community development but also setting a standard for corporate collaboration rooted in integrity and a shared vision,” said Gomez.
Digicel and Shell Invest in Youth and Community Development
Gemma Casimir-Redman, President of Soroptimist International Esperance, expressed her joy at the project’s success and its positive impact on the school, students, and the broader community. She thanked Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago for partnering with NGOs to support the development of rural communities. The Digicel Foundation and Shell Trinidad and Tobago contributed TT$100,000 to the project.
“To do good work, we need funding; to do extraordinary work, we need plenty of funding!” she stated.
Shell has been a key player in Trinidad and Tobago for over 100 years, contributing significantly to the development of the country’s oil and gas industry. The company provides an integrated gas operation to supply the petrochemical market and Atlantic LNG.
Shell Trinidad and Tobago aims to create a measurable positive social impact at both the community and national levels. The company is committed to supporting national priorities by increasing access to education, skills, economic opportunities, and energy. Its social investment strategy focuses on economic diversification and livelihood development through STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education, community skills, enterprise development, and community development.
