Celebrating Love for the Environment on Valentine’s Day with DREFF

February 15, 2017

Bávaro – Hundreds of students of the Nazaret Community School (Centro Educativo Nazaret) in Hoyo de Friusa, near Bávaro in the East coast of the Dominican Republic, had a very different and fun Valentine’s Day this year. In collaboration with BeachCorps, EcoServices Dominicana, and FECOTUR, GFDD/DREFF co-hosted an environmental awareness activity, entitled “A Valentine’s Card to the Environment”, in which the children embarked in several arts and crafts projects to express how they are loving and protecting their planet.

Within the framework of DREFF’s Year Round Environemntal Film Screenings Program, as part of the event, students enjoyed the screening of GFDD’s short film Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience, where they learned about recycling in their country and discussed other ways in which they can get involved. They will be starting a project to collect and separate recyclable materials in their school for EcoServices and FECOTUR to pick up frequently.

Maria Victoria Abreu, DREFF’s Programming Director, David Searby, President of BeachCorps, Felipe Bertrán, president of EcoServices Dominicana and FECOTUR, as well as representatives from the school and the Clubes Medioambientales de La Romana, were present. The activity was organized with the aim to promote environmental awareness in the context of 2017 as the International Year for Sustainable Tourism, according to the UN.

As part of the event, students also enjoyed delicious cupcakes, courtesy of Chic All-Exclusive and Royalton Punta Cana.

As David Searby explained, “this It is the first step to support educational centers through sustainable tourism of volunteerism, and community efforts of recycling and protecting the environment”. GFDD/DREFF are proud to contribute to communities located near the main tourist attractions of the country starting to think about their own role in promoting sustainability.

About Year Round Environmental Film Screening Program
As part of its mission to reach more communities, institutions and individuals around the country, the DR Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) organizes year-round film screenings that bring interesting and important films to new and remote communities. By showing a diverse selection of quality movies on critical environmental and sustainable development issues and organizing discussions and workshops, the year-round film screenings program fosters and inspires dialogue, raises awareness and promotes sustainable practices.