BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A vandal(s) struck at the Verchild’s High School over the weekend, leaving the main components of a new Agriculture project there either badly damaged or totally destroyed.
Agriculture Science teacher as the school Justin Moses explained to SKNVibes that in January 2014, a project - sponsored by the Agriculture Resource Management programme of the Ministry of Agriculture - was started which included the construction of a greenhouse, the installation of an irrigation system and the construction of a storage facility.
He further explained that the greenhouse was about 75 percent complete, the irrigation system had already been installed and the storage facility was being built.
On Friday afternoon - according to Moses - he secured and left the compound at about 5:30 p.m. and at about 11:30 the following morning, he received a telephone indicating that serious damage had been done to the greenhouse.
Regarding the netting which covered the greenhouse, he informed that three sides of it were destroyed and a 1000-gallon irrigation drum - which was left whole - was found punctured. He said it was found with six holes in it, rendering it useless.
“After inspecting the damages, I went to the Old road Police Station and made a report. I was the one who went and solicited the assistance for the project. I was heartbroken - to say the least - when I realised what had happened. It took me a while to catch myself because to see all the hard work that was placed into the project and then have someone tear it apart.
“I must be honest, I was discouraged when this happened and I didn’t to continue. But after thinking about it, I decided I will not let these vandals win by preventing me from reaching my goal. and I hope that those who are helping us with the project would continue with it."
SKNVibes confirmed with the police that the incident was reported to them on Saturday (Feb. 22) and it was indicated to this publication that there are currently no suspects in police custody regarding this matter.
Commenting on the impact he envisage the project would have on the community once it is up and running, Moses expressed that it would assist with achieving food security.
“This project was to help the community with food security and also educate those young minds about the benefits of entrepreneurship. With proper security measures put in place, we are hoping that the project will be completed and will show the perpetrators that they haven’t won and that we do not condone their illegal actions...”
Moses issued a plea to people in the community to who may have information related to the incident to make contact with the Old Road Police Station at 465-6250 or the Verchild’s High School at 465-6283.
