The RUSVM Day of Service was intended to serve as a platform for community collaboration and cooperation on high impact service projects around the island of St. Kitts. The day included three service projects that took place simultaneously around the island from 8 am to noon. Participation was open to the public.
The project was envisioned and spearhead by Elizabeth Muller, 7th semester DVM student, who partnered with fellow students and RUSVM administration to organize and lead the project.
“We wanted to create a large event that would bring together the RUSVM community and St. Kitts community to work toward a common goal – to give back to St. Kitts and make a lasting impact,” she said.
Over 100 RUSVM community members and approximately 90 Kittitians came out to serve on various projects around the island. The project partnered with over 17 community sponsors and various student clubs donated funds and time. Community sponsors included Christophe Harbour, Ital Creations at Fari Organic Farm, Heart of St. Kitts Foundation, Kittitian Hill, Palms Court Gardens & Restaurant Beach Addiction, St. Kitts Nevis Blue Water Safaris, Dolphin Discovery, Leeward Islands Charters, St. Kitts Chocolate Factory, The Chop Shop Salon & Spa, Rock Lobster, Nevis Equestrian Centre, The Gallery Café, Scoops, Spectrum AV and Caribbean Cinemas St. Kitts.
“La Guerite Village Community is so happy and thankful for all the help from the Bahai Youths and RUSVM community who gave their time to help us clean up the common areas,” said Yayah Fari, Owner of Ital Creations at Fari Organic Farm.
Day of Service projects included:
Peninsula Project: Planned by Heart of St Kitts, Christophe Harbour, World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association, and SCUBA Club. The volunteer groups cleaned beaches and highways along the southeast peninsula and collected around 40 bags of trash. The project was put in place to combat pollution and make the beach and water safer for both visitors and wildlife.
Deane Glasford Primary School Play Area: The primary school partnered with RUSVM club Wishmakers, Wildlife Disease Association and Association of Avian Veterinarians and Christian Veterinary Fellowship to paint classrooms and a lab area. Volunteers also relocated their existing playground equipment to a safer area of the property, away from street traffic. The primary school students also helped paint and played games with volunteers.
La Guerite Street Clean Up: Ital Farm, neighborhood youth group, Bahai Youths, One Health Club, Small Ruminant Club and Green Initiative led this project. The project was intended to clear brush and trash where garbage trucks do not have easy access.
The organizers are also working on a donation drive outside of the day itself to aid neighboring islands effected by the recent hurricanes. The Day of Service team hope that this will be a yearly event, and are already looking toward developing projects for 2018.