Tobago School Receives $1000 For Video

by Reef Check Executive Director Dr. Gregor Hodgson

Reef Check Executive Director Dr. Gregor Hodgson took time out from teaching an EcoDiver course in Tobago to present the winning group of kids their prize for winning Reef Check’s Singing Contest. He shares his experience here:

The kids at the tiny St Nicholas elementary school in Tobago were very excited to have won the worldwide song contest. They were even more excited to have the head of the Tobago government,  Honorable Chief Secretary MacFarlane, show up for the handover ceremony along with TV news crews. They even blew up the $1000 check  to jumbo size.

The sad thing about a country like Trinidad and Tobago is that most kids do not know how to swim, let alone snorkel. I asked the Chief Secretary to help the local Reef Check group work on getting more kids into the sea. One way to do this is by establishing a Sea Scouts program in which Reef Check could help find masks, fins and snorkels for the kids. The Chief Secretary agreed to help so we look forward to getting more kids in the water so they can see firsthand the reefs their country depends on.

Honorable Chief Secretary Gerald MacFarlane, Tobago	Kids watch themselves in video singing IYOR Song

Kids interviewed on TV	Principal Mrs. Marie Clarke with kids