Ingenuity abounds in MALF’s Crèche-making competition!

Ingenuity abounds in MALF’s Crèche-making competition!

With just a ten (10)-point variance between the highest and the lowest scores, the judges of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries’ Nativity Scene / Crèche Competition 2021, were presented with the unenviable task of selecting the top winners in a closely contested battle, the results of which, were evidently determined on the basis of detail. Such was among the general sentiments of Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF), Ms. Susan Shurland, who served as the competition’s chief judge alongside two (2) members of her Secretariat – Mrs. Peggy Lynch-Grecia and Ms. Binmatie Ramoutar. The comments were made at the Prize Giving Ceremony for MALF’s Nativity Scene / Crèche Competition which took place on Tuesday 21st December, 2021, at the Ministry’s Head Office in Chaguanas.

The competition, which was adjudicated on Monday 20th December, 2021, saw the submission of the Agricultural Planning Division, emerge as the overall winner with some 45.6 of a total of 50 points. Closely trailing this significant feat were the crèche models of the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division and Ms. Genieve Prescod of the Corporate Communications Unit, which earned the second and third place spots with 43.6 and 40 points, respectively. Securing fourth place was Ms. Kristal Sam of the Accounts Unit (39.6 points), with the fifth and sixth positions going to Ms. Jaselle Daniel of the Procurement Unit (37.6 points) and Ms. Paula Reece of the Legal Unit (35 points).

Speaking on her experience on the judging panel, the Permanent Secretary (Ag.) said that while the quantum of submissions in the competition were quite small, their quality was of a very substantial nature and as such, had to be assessed with some added scrutiny. Ms. Shurland said: “While the slight variance of points awarded was testament of the submissions’ soundness in terms of overall creativity, the final results had come down to the intricate details of those distinguishing features we’ve all come to value in the traditional crèche / nativity scene.” She added too that it was heartening to witness the tremendous investment of time and effort which went into the production of these crèche models which in many instances, entailed some level of teamwork amongst staff and involved the very unique use and manipulation of old and / or recyclable material which may have otherwise been discarded.

Participants of the competition were asked to submit crèche models made from at least one (1) recycled item and one (1) local, natural item. These were to include baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the three (3) Wise Men as well as a minimum of two (2) barn animals – none of which, were to be store-bought. To this end, the judging criteria entailed: general presentation / visibility (12 points); creativity (12 points); use of recycled items / materials (13 points) as well as the use of local, natural items / materials (13 points).

Aimed at celebrating the true meaning of Christmas through the creativity of craft, the competition – which was the first of its kind in the Ministry – was open to all members of staff for a period of four (4)-weeks (i.e. Friday 19th November – Friday 17th December, 2021), during which time, participants were required to construct  their crèche models (as per criteria) and document their use of materials, apparatus and / or processes employed.

The competition’s prizes, which consisted of food vouchers via Xtra Foods, tokens and non-alcoholic beverages, were sponsored by Carib Brewery as well as other corporate / private entities.

MALF’s Nativity Scene / Crèche Competition 2021 – Prizes & Results

1ST PLACE ($650 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Agricultural Planning Division (45.6 points);

2ND PLACE ($450 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Extension Training and Information Services Division (43.6 points);

3RD PLACE ($250 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Genieve Prescod of the Corporate Communications Unit (40 points);

4TH PLACE ($150 Food Voucher + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Kristal Sam of the Accounts Unit (39.6 points);

5TH PLACE (Token + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Jaselle Daniel of the Procurement Unit (37.6 points); and

6TH PLACE (Token + Non-Alcoholic Beverage Hamper) – Ms. Paula Reece of the Legal Unit (35 points).