GARD Center offers courses to prison inmates and others

The Gilbert Agricultural Rural Development (GARD) Center has launched a new initiative to provide educational courses for inmates and other individuals. The program, which began on June 10, is directed by Angela Ephraim.

A total of twelve participants, including ten inmates and two other individuals, have commenced training in various fields.

The courses “are expected to run from Mondays to Thursdays each week and it is anticipated that all of the participants will aim for 100% attendance to these classes,” a statement written by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George revealed.

Over the next five weeks, the participants will receive certification in several areas. These include climate-smart agricultural practices, hydroponics, crop production, budding and grafting, good agricultural practices (GAP), beekeeping, and post-harvest technology.

Additionally, they will be trained in basic baking and decorating, food preparation, life skills, and customer service. Academic subjects such as English language and mathematics will also be covered, alongside business enterprise skills, costing and pricing, and information technology.

The program is supported by a team of tutors and facilitators, including Efuru Elihu, Chef Maurine Bowers, Joycelyn Humphreys, Dr. Renee Phillip, Matara Murphy, Julianne Lauda, Kedane Gamble, Craig Joseph, Adrian Bowen, Jamaul Phillip, Joel Matthew, and Sereno Benjamin. Additional support comes from Miriam Samuel and Jacqueline Liddell.

An exhibition and closing ceremony will be held on July 11 to mark the completion of the courses.