In a collaborative effort to embed lifelong healthy habits among young learners, a custom-designed healthy eating mural has been formally unveiled at Soufriere Primary School in Saint Lucia, capping off the island nation’s annual Nutrition Awareness Month. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, the project represents a public commitment to equipping children with the resources, knowledge, and environmental support to make informed, nutritious food choices from an early age.
Lisa Hunt, the country’s Chief Nutritionist, explained that the permanent wall artwork is intended to act as a constant, accessible teacher for everyone who enters the school grounds. “Every time a child walks past this mural, we want it to spark a small reminder to prioritize fresh produce, hydration, regular movement, and the high-quality local foods grown right here in Saint Lucia,” Hunt shared during the unveiling. “It’s not just for students, either. We hope it encourages teachers, visiting parents, and the entire surrounding community to re-examine their own daily habits and commit to healthier lifestyles together.”
Cecilia Clovis-Haynes, principal of Soufriere Primary, called the initiative perfectly timed and deeply aligned with the school’s existing work to nurture student well-being. She emphasized that the mural is far more than decorative artwork: it is a functional pedagogical tool that reinforces classroom lessons about nutrition and growth. “What children eat directly impacts how they grow, how well they focus in class, and their ability to chase their future goals,” Clovis-Haynes noted. “This piece ties directly into everything we’ve been teaching our students about health, so it’s an incredible reinforcement of our work here.”
Joel Charles-Charlemagne, Education Officer for District 8, echoed this perspective, noting that consistent visual exposure is one of the most effective ways to embed long-term healthy habits. “Whether students are walking to first period, gathering for morning assembly, or eating lunch in the schoolyard, they’ll see these bright, engaging images of colorful local produce and active kids playing,” Charles-Charlemagne explained. “This mural turns our entire school environment into a living learning space that actively pushes back against unhealthy routines and choices.”
Emma Hippolyte, Parliamentary Representative for the Soufriere/Fond St Jacques constituency, praised the project while stressing that meaningful change to children’s eating patterns requires cross-sector collaboration beyond a single art installation. Hippolyte noted that the partnership between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education behind the mural is a strong foundational step, but long-term progress requires engagement across all parts of a child’s life. “We can teach kids about healthy eating in school, but we also need to work with parents to rethink what goes into school lunch kits, and with school staff to ensure nutritious options are the default in school canteens,” she explained. “Change has to come from multiple angles to stick.”
The mural was created by Yukari Charles, a visual arts teacher at Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School, with support from former student Jackie Lawrence, bringing together creative talent from across the local education community to advance the public health goal.