Fostering Healthy Futures for our Children

The after-school program conducted by Guahan Sustainable Culture (GSC) in partnership with the Children's Healthy Living (CHL) Program successfully engaged 20 elementary students from Agana Heights Elementary for four weeks, focusing on gardening, local agriculture, and CHamoru cultural practices.

Throughout the program, students participated in hands-on gardening and agriculture lessons, learning to plant seeds and transplant seedlings into their school's three garden beds. They also took part in activities related to the lessons, deepening their understanding of sustainable practices. GSC worked alongside the University of Guam's (UOG) Community Nutrition Education Program (CNEP) to offer nutrition lessons, emphasizing healthy eating and local food choices.

The program also featured guest speakers who shared their knowledge about CHamoru cultural practices, local agriculture, and sustainability. These speakers led activities like coconut leaf weaving, CHamoru chanting, and demonstrations on carving jewelry, raising bees, and traditional medicine (amot), offering the students a comprehensive experience of both culture and sustainability.

In addition, each week GSC partnered with local farmers to provide fresh, local produce to each student, along with recipe cards provided by UOG CNEP. On the final day of the program, GSC prepared gardening kits for each child, allowing them to continue their gardening journey at home. Parents were invited to join in on the fun by participating in an exercise game led by UOG CNEP staff.

The program was a resounding success, leaving students with valuable lessons on gardening, local culture, and agriculture. All lessons, materials, produce bags, and gardening kits were generously provided by GSC, making this enriching experience possible for the students and their families.