Hydroponics lettuce is thriving at Mauke School this year, providing hearty harvests that are feeding students, teachers and the community. The project has been spearheaded by Tai George, chairman of the Mauke School Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the island's local marine officer, with strong support from the school principal Maria Tapita Tereia.
Now in her third year as chair, George said she wanted to place greater emphasis on the health and wellbeing of children and families. "I wanted to revive this project because the equipment was just sitting there. We were blessed to receive $3000 in funding from Te Marae Ora secretary Bob Williams," she said.
Williams, who has been driving a healthy living campaign across Pa Enua schools, was happy to back the initiative. The results have been encouraging.
"It has been amazing – the kids are so keen and hands-on, and they're eating the produce," said George. "We sell them for only $3 each so it's very affordable." Since the start of the year, the school has already celebrated three harvests, with the latest yielding 50 large, fresh lettuces.
Read more at Cook Islands News
