A vote of confidence

Registration for the Riffa Views Eden Challenge 2009 has now closed, with close on 150 categories being entered by 77 schools for this second running of the environmental competition for schools, created and introduced so successfully last year by Riffa Views Signature Estates as part of its sponsorship of The Riffa Views Bahrain International Garden Show (RVBIGS).

The 77 schools, representing both private and government sectors, have made 148 registrations across the four age categories; this is an increase on last year's inaugural Eden Challenge 2008, which involved 74 schools and 143 individual category entries.

Riffa Views' CEO, Richard Browning, is delighted that the competition has maintained and built on the momentum of last year's success with the increased number of registrations from the schools for Eden Challenge 2009.

He sees it as a huge vote of confidence for the level of interest that the young people of Bahrain are now showing in the world around them.

Like all connected with the competition, he is looking forward to seeing how the schools develop their projects over the next couple of months, ahead of the closing date for entries in January next year - and he has no doubts that this year's judging will be just as difficult as, if not more so than, last year.

Riffa Views as a prime lifestyle development is very much in tune with the environment and views it as a fundamental part of its commitment not only to the residents and guests of 'the most distinguished residential address in Bahrain', but also to its support of and contribution to the wider island community.

Reaching out to and engaging with the island's school children on such an important topic and in such a fun way is really what the Eden Challenge is all about and obviously by the number of schools registering, it is having a marked impact on how schools can and are channeling pupils' interest in their surroundings.

The registered schools will receive the Eden Challenge 2009 Schools' Pack - this Pack will provide all the necessary details of the competition including the requirements of each category's projects and what the judging panel will be looking for in each entry as they try to establish winner. Schools will also receive a number of the special Eden Challenge 2009 'T shirts'.

The honour of receiving the first Eden Challenge 2009 Schools' Pack went to last year's overall winning school, The Umm Salama Intermediate Girls School, who were presented with their Pack by Mr Browning in a small ceremony attended by the school's vice-principal, Mrs Hind Al Shehabi, and project teacher, Mrs Mahnaz Bahder.

The school has once again entered the intermediate category and is obviously very keen to retain its title as Riffa Views Eden Challenge Champion - however, with 76 other schools and 147 other project teams looking to 'take their crown', they know they will have to come up with a strong and original project to stay ahead and see their project 'come to life' as the centre-piece of the Riffa Views Eden Challenge stand at RVBIGS 2009 in April next year.