The Light BVI Chapter was invited to the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School to spread the message of wellness by treating the Parent Teacher Association to a NEWSTART to the New Year. Photo: Provided

“We are on a quest to promote healthy living,” Seventh-day Adventist and VI Health Coordinator Sister Gracia Smith said.

According to Sister Smith, back in November 2019, 66 persons from Seventh-day Adventist Churches across the Virgin Islands (VI) were trained by Cynthia Bonan and Teresa Thornhill, two health facilitators, of the LIGHT programme from Wildwood, Georgia United States.

The course was based on the acronym NEWSTART for healthy living, a concept followed by Adventists which is Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in God.

Spreading the message of wellness

The Light BVI Chapter was invited to the Alexandrina Maduro Primary School to spread the message of wellness by treating the Parent Teacher Association to a NEWSTART to the New Year.

“It was an evening of pampering and education following the NEWSTART concept. Because of the time only some concepts of NEWSTART was performed. We had the Nutrition (N), Air (A), Exercise (E), Rest (R) and the Trust (T) in God Tables set up for participants,” Sister Smith explained.

At the “Rest table” participants were treated to a relaxing chair massage to soothe away the stress of the day. The next stop was the “Air table” where Peak Flow lung capacity testing took place. “At this table we tested for lung function and coached participants on proper breathing techniques to enhance oxygen circulation in the blood which improves health along with other benefits,” Sister Smith stated.

Cardiovascular exercise to test physical strength was done at the Exercise Table, intercessory prayers were prayed at the Trust Table and culinary advice was shared at the Nutrition Table, in addition to sampling of tasty treats.

“We shared information on how to make easy, inexpensive and nutritious and tasty vegetarian dishes,” Sister Smith said. She further stated that the group received positive feedback by all who were in attendance. Some expressed their appreciation for the NEWSTART for the New Year, others comparing the occasion to a health fair with a difference, while another group extended a personal invitation for them to return.

“It is indeed our pleasure to continue to speak about health matters and to encourage the community to be proactive about their health and the health of their children,” Sister Smith stressed.

Persons wishing to learn more about this initiative and how it can improve health can contact LIGHT BVI Chapter at 284-541-8323 or 284-440-8133. LIGHT BVI Chapter of the Seventh Day Adventist Church will continue to seek to promote health and wellness in the community through various activities and Health Fairs.