This month, the Department of Health participated in a kite-making competition as part of its team-building activities. The staff generated the idea as a way to embrace old fashioned Bermuda traditions and customs as well as give back to the community.
The kites were donated to families with young children to celebrate the Good Friday holiday. Several programmes participated, including Vector Control, Child Health, Lefroy House, Sexual & Reproductive Health, Oral Health, Childcare Regulations and Community Health.
There were 16 entries in total and judged based on three categories: Best in Show, Creativity and Originality. The Vector control team provided teaching sessions on kite making. The collaboration involved key stakeholders, and the judges were Sgt Adrian Haynes, Bermuda Police Force, Ms Charmaine Friday, art teacher at West Pembroke School and Mr Kevin Monkman, Ministry of Health Special Projects. Participation extended beyond the staff, as one of the residents of the long term care facility also submitted a kite.
The Awards were given on April 14th: Best in Show was Lefroy House and received the David Kendall Award; the Linda Salaam Award for creativity went to Community Health. The award for originality went to the Child Health team. Second-place awards were also given to Vector Control for originality and Oral Health for creativity.
“The competition was quite challenging,” said Laura Lynn Jackson, Chief Nursing Officer who helped organize the competition. “Overall, the event was considered a success and reminded us that some of our basic activities can bring fun, skill-building, camaraderie, and be economical."