Students Of The Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School Engaged In Health Expo And Inspired To Promote Health Living

– Advertisement –

Saint Lucia

– The fight against chronic illnesses is starting at the school level, as the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs continues to bring the message of healthy living to Saint Lucia’s youth. On Friday September 12, 2025 students of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School traded their books for a full day of health and wellness activities and joined the rest of the region to celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day 2025. The initiative, held under the banner of the Saint Lucia Moves campaign, combined education with fun to inspire students to take charge of their health. From a Caribbean Wellness Day themed assembly, to a health expo and outdoor sporting challenges, the day placed the spotlight on physical activity, nutrition, mental well- being, and substance-use prevention.

 

increasingly at risk of chronic illnesses. “We have a booth with lots of brochures with information about diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, breast cancer as well. We’ve also set up a spin the wheel activity to engage the students and have them just challenge themselves physically. I believe the activity is important for the students because we are seeing such a spike in diabetes and hypertension in the youth, so it is important to tap into their potential from young and get them engaged and more hyped up about physical education.”

Faculty and Staff Members of the Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s efforts in reinforcing these essential life lessons within the school environment. Vice Principal of the Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Lydia Charlery shared her view on this initiative. “I think that it is a good initiative. I think we’re happy that we were chosen as well, because we recognize that generally, our students don’t eat healthy, and this is something that we really want to encourage amongst our students. So I think that the message that Ministry of Health brought across in that way, is one that will augur well for our students. And not just for here, but beyond the walls, because sometimes what we see, they eat even on the morning, as long as they enter, we wish that it would not be. But this is what it is.”

Zana Octave, Student Affairs Coordinator at the Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School expressed her appreciation for this initiative undertaken at the school. “Actually, I appreciate the initiative. When Dr. Shana Cyr-Philbert brought it to us, it sounded exciting and especially the little catchy lines, “St. Lucia Moves” and as you can see, it’s a very big campus, our students will tell you, ‘but Miss we’re moving all the time,’ and I’m kind of agreeing with Miss in the sense that our students, they don’t eat the healthy snacks, they don’t have healthy lifestyles, like getting the eight hours of sleep, and trying their best to, you know, to put a little more exercise instead of sitting down in the classroom, take a walk during break time and lunch time, you know, get moving. So the initiative is good, and it’s one we’re happy to be part of.”

The Ministry of Health continues to expose students from other secondary schools around island with information and activities centered around physical activity, nutrition, mental wellness and substance use prevention.

With education, engagement, and empowerment at the heart of this year’s celebration of Caribbean Wellness Day, the Ministry of Health is sowing the seeds of a healthier generation: one student, one school, and one community at a time.

– Advertisement –