Great Bay:--- The Ministry of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Section Collective Prevention Services is currently working hard on costumes for the debut of their carnival troupe "Tutti Frutti Healthy Steppers" as they will be taking part in the Children's Carnival Parade on Sunday April 21, 2013. The carnival troupe is part of the Vaccination Week of the Americas 2013 activities.
"Children between the ages of 3-11 years old will make up the troupe from family and friends of the department. It is important to note that the costumes are being made from recycled products, so we are inviting the community to come out and support the Children's parade, as it will be a surprise," said Anuska Gibbs, Chair of the organizing committee.
The Baby Clinic has been turned into a mass camp in the afternoon hours, to allow staff the time to construct the costumes. Approximately 30-35 children will be displaying costumes during the Children's Carnival Parade depicting various fruits and vegetables as a means of bringing awareness about the importance of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.
Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever stated that it is a great initiative of the Department of Collective Preventive Services to have our young people showing the importance of fruits and vegetables through carnival costumes, while part taking in one of the islands biggest cultural events.
"It is also very important to note that the costumes are being made from recycled products, recycling generally shows us how the life of an item can be extended and used again, instead of throwing it away," said Minister De Weever.
As part of Vaccination Week of the Americas, which runs April 20-27, the organizing committee of this year's activities decided to come out with a carnival troupe and to have community outreach in the various districts on the island. Stay tuned for more information regarding the community outreach program.