The Tribune

THE everyday life of someone working with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has won Alannah Vellacott the BTC Everyday Video Contest.

The 30-second video shows her jumping into blue holes, educating students at the BNT’s EcoCamp in Andros, riding trails in various BNT national parks and performing her duties as an Education Assistant in teaching students about the environment.

“I decided to do a video of my adventures in working as an Assistant Education Officer at the BNT,” Ms Vellacott said. “Every day in my office I am able to witness the miracle of life. My video is just a drop of the amount of effort that is poured into the BNT’s educational programmes.

Back-to-back eco-summer camps for children, teacher training workshops for adults, conch and crawfish campaigns, school programmes, field trips and presentations, travelling to Family Islands ... the list goes on.”

“My video also shows just a fraction of the massive impact these programmes have had on helping Bahamians understand how vital loving and respecting our natural Bahamian elements is. It was actually quite a struggle deciding what programmes I wanted to showcase”

The prize for winning the video contest was $2,000 and she decided to donate 25 per cent to the BNT.

“We’re overwhelmed that Alannah’s passion for the BNT motivated her to donate some of her winnings to the Trust,” said Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director. “Alannah’s win is an extremely proud moment for the BNT as she has highlighted everything that is wonderful about what we do here. It’s even more rewarding to see such a young Bahamian find her passion about our environment.”

Ms Vellacott, who returned to college recently, said: “What my video did not show are the price tags of the BNT’s success. My video did not show our crippled budget for fuel for our patrol boats and field trip vans, nor airfare for our Eco-Campers to travel to Andros for a life-changing experience.

“It did not flash our dwindling student art supply closet nor the cost of our print-outs, posters and other educational materials. We rely on concerned Bahamians and visitors to become members and to donate to our cause. Without donations, our reach is extremely limited. My donation to the Bahamas National Trust is to show how grateful I am that they have steered me in the direction of my passion and to show support for their projects.”