Government Tackles Local Affordable Housing Shortage

Issue 08 | 21 July, 2018

Building Resilience

OUR SAINT LUCIA www.govt.lc

Bi-monthly Progress Report from the Government of Saint Lucia

Government Tackles Local

Affordable Housing Shortage 11 Sites Earmarked for Development

Highlights of a Successful Carnival: The Music, the Community, the Revelry

02

21 July 2018

At a glance...

CONTENTS Government Supports Housing Sector & Stakeholders

HOW WAS YOUR CARNIVAL?

Saint Lucia Carnival 2018 Brings a Unique Experience

6 7 8-9

The External Affairs Department has set up a special desk to deal with persons from the Windrush generation and their relatives. Minister with responsibility for External Affairs, Honourable Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, and Saint Lucia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Guy Mayers, recently updated the public on the Windrush issue explaining that a number of persons had already been facilitated and assisted through the process. Enquires should be made to: Saint Lucia High Commission in London at+(44) 207 370-7123 or Email: enquiries@stluciahcuk.org. Or Contact the Department of External Affairs at Telephone: (758) 468-4519 / (758) 468-4516. Email:foreign@candw.lc or external@gosl.gov.lc

EDUCATION

10-11

Summer Training for Teachers

Teachers around the island are being equipped with new practices and approaches to teaching to meet the needs of students through an in-service training program, the Summer Institute. The Summer Institute is being guided under the theme, “Changing Mindsets, Working Smart.”

Three hundred and ten teachers are expected to benefit from this professional development training. The Summer Institute is being supported by the OECS Commission, UNICEF and the Global Partnership for Education.

HEALTH

Donation by Japanese

The Victoria Hospital held a special handing over ceremony to thank the government and people of Japan for providing timely, life saving medical equipment valued at over US$80,000 to the hospital. Twelve multi-parameter monitors, two incubators and three infant resuscitators were donated to the Victoria Hospital by the Japanese government under their Gant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project. Biomedical Engineer at the Victoria Hospital, Jessie Theobalds, said all equipment has been installed and the clinicians are absolutely pleased with the various devices.

LABOUR

DVRP Works Toward Building Resilience

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

Special Desk for Windrush

4-5

The Buzz is on for Mercury Fest!

www.govt.lc

Licensed Electricians

The Electrical Department of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Ports, Energy and Labour is further advancing its efforts to ensure electricians operating in Saint Lucia have the required license. As such, the Electrical Licensing Authority has scheduled the theory part of the electrical licensing examination for Thursday September 27, 2018. Head of the Electrical Department Mr. Shane Jean says in addition to adhering to the law, these exams will ensure greater public safety. The Electrical Licensing Authority is urging interested citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to obtain electrical licenses.

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

03

Caring for the Elderly Among Us

T

he Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) in 2017 embraced the Elderly Home Caregivers Program, and one year later is pleased to report that the initiative is running smoothly.

The Elderly Home Caregivers Program is one of the components of the now defunct NICE program. After careful analysis, it was decided that the elderly caregivers program should be kept among the reasons being the far reaching social impact and the government’s priority on caring for the elderly.

coordinator, who reports to the Executive Director. More than half of the current caregivers were retained from the previous program, thus minimalizing the need for training “We have been offering refresher courses, we have retrained some caregivers and with the assistance of qualified persons and a chief nurse, we try to ensure that the highest quality of care is afforded the elderly,” Harrigan says.

The budget for the program is EC$6.4 million. From all reports the program is a success, with family members and recipients remarking favourably.

“I must say that the quality of service the caregivers have provided has Administrator of the program Leo Harrigan explains: “In April of 2017 we been overwhelming. And while the program runs five days a week, relaunched the program, which now falls under the SSDF. The program Monday to Friday, some of the offers assistance to some of the more caregivers go the extra mile by vulnerable persons among us, the “The quality of service the caregivers have provided visiting on a weekend bringing elderly. In some cases some of these has been overwhelming. And while the program meals to these persons and just persons, have no one to care for them, runs five days a week, Monday to Friday, some of spending time with them. In in other instances due to their health the caregivers go the extra mile by visiting on a many instances, when those conditions and immobility, family weekend bringing meals to these persons and just persons have had to be hospitalmembers are not adequately equipped spending time with them.”---Leo Harrigan, SSDF ized they also visit them and that to deal with their situations,” is quite remarkable,” Harrigan says.

Caregivers cook, feed, bathe and clean Long term, Leo Harrigan says he would like to see CVQ modules reintroas part of their duties. They also spend time with the elderly reading, duced, certifying caregivers so they become more marketable, thereby combing and interacting with them in the absence of family members. In making the program more sustainable. “I also dream of a day when we some instances caregivers also administer medication to the individuals. can have our own farm, growing what is necessary to feed the elderly,” Harrigan says.

“Due to high instances of diabetes, we were also able to train caregivers in administering insulin to the elderly, as well as checking their vitals on a He reminds that as a country the elderly among us should be a concern regular basis,” Harrigan says. to all and sends out this special appeal; “if anybody wants to offer assistance feels free to call the SSDF to find out how they can help or At present there are 403 caregivers spread over the 17 electoral districts, contribute to the Elderly Home Care Givers Program.” with one supervisor per district. These supervisors report to a head

04

21 July 2018

www.govt.lc

Government Supports Housing Sector & Stakeholders

Housing Conference held recently to share with local stakeholders areas for proposed development.

T

he Government of Saint Lucia is taking some decisive steps towards the realization of affordable housing for thousands of St Lucians. Stakeholders in the burgeoning housing industry met recently to plot the way forward, and government representatives divulged information on how the industry would be supported to fix problems that have hindered its progress over the years.

With a turn out that exceeded expectation, Hon. Guy Joseph, Minister for Economic Development, Housing, Urban Renewal, Transport and Civil Aviation addressed what he referred to as serious problems that had existed in the housing sector for the last 20 years, so much so that he could not recall any major successful housing project that had been implemented locally. Even from the private sector perspective, when developments had taken place, the minister noted there was always the burden of proper maintenance, and quality of those developments, which were vital aspects in being able to hand over projects to the Ministry of Infrastructure for onward maintenance.

Noting problems including bad road conditions and land movements caused because of developments not being undertaken in a proper manner, Joseph stated, “Sometimes we blame the system but it’s not always the failure of system, but the eagerness of persons to facilitate development.”

In an effort to shift the industry in a more positive direction, government had been exploring international options for investment prospects in the sector. They were also in discussions with the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and the Ministry of Housing.

“We found a situation where these two local entities were almost working in competition with each other and we felt the need to bring those entities together, because they are both designed to meet the housing needs of this country,” the minister noted.

According to records, Saint Lucia has a housing shortage of some 14,000 houses. Joseph posed questions about how best to achieve the task of developing the housing industry in a manner that would meet the needs of market. He highlighted also the pressures faced by citizens who had not acquired land or a house before the ages of 30 and 35, who ran into problems with financial institutions to get a mortgage once they hit 40.

“A lady came to me and told me she didn’t realize she was getting old until she went to the bank and they told her she didn’t qualify because of her age. Here we have real problems to deal with,” Joseph said. “The other related social problem we have to deal with is that there is a direct correlation between people’s living conditions and general behavior, and their outlook in life… We know that housing, or shelter is a basic requirement for life, as much as food and clothing are.”

Building Resilience

The intention of the conference was to bring stakeholders together for the purpose generating proposals and sharing government’s plans for the sector. Government had the land, and a presentation at the event showcased a number of sites already identified for potential housing development. Subsidies were also discussed, as it related to getting new projects off the ground, but first, addressing problems related to real estate price surges, inconsistencies in legislation, basic maintenance structures and financial components involving banking institutions were top priority. To find solutions, the housing minister noted it was important that all parties first admit there were problems which needed to be addressed.

In a presentation by NHC Chairman Timothy Mangal, he noted basic starter homes (one, two and three bedroom) ranging from $120,000 to $270,000, multi-story residential concepts and the purchasing of individual flats (a completely new frontier for Saint Lucia which would require modifications in legislature) were among plans currently being discussed.

He highlighted the need for the private sector and the Ministry of Housing to work in tandem, and not in competition with each other, allowing the private sector and NHC to drive development within the housing sector.

www.govt.lc

05

“There is a direct correlation between people’s living conditions and general behavior, and their outlook in life . . .

We know that housing, or shelter is a basic requirement for life, as much as food and clothing are.”

----Hon. Guy Joseph

Though the topic of affordable housing had been in discussion stages for years, Mangal said the conference was more than a talk shop. Before year end, facilitators expected to see at least four housing projects on island being rolled out, which would be just the beginning of realizing a change in landscape for the local housing industry.

The Government has identified 11 zones for Housing projects in Saint Lucia which will enable Saint Lucians to own their own land and homes.

06

21 July 2018

www.govt.lc

The Buzz is on for Mercury Fest!

From Left: Gros Islet MP Hon. Lenard Montoute, SLHTA President Sanovnik Destang, SLTA Chairperson Agnes Francis, Tourism Minister Hon. Dominic Fedee, Mercury team members Siobhan Lloyd and Sheldon Michel and Events Saint Lucia director Thomas Leonce.

S

aint Lucia is expected to welcome thousands of visitors from the neighbouring French Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe as well as other Caribbean islands for an explosive weekend beach-fest like no other. Introducing, the first ever “Mercury Fest,” featuring the best regional and Saint Lucian entertainers. The event will be held August 10 and 11, 2018.

When it was announced in May of this year that the organizers of the popular Mercury Beach had pulled out of Saint Lucia, the government, recognizing the importance of such an event to the economy, moved swiftly to throw its support behind a local promoter and Saint Lucia’s distributor of Mercury Engines, to stage a similar beach event here.

On Wednesday July 18, 2018 during a press launch for “Mercury Fest” at the Harbor Club, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Tourism, Dominic Fedee disclosed that the event had the support of his Ministry as well as that of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and Events Company of Saint Lucia. The Government’s total investment in the event is EC$300,000, with benefits expected to be derived from marina and airport taxes, hotel bookings, spend on taxi, vendors and other services and goods providers as well as on the event itself. “This event continues the governments thrust to stimulate the nexus between cultural and entertainment activities and tourism which is critical to the Saint Lucian economy,” Fedee asserts.

“Mercury Fest” will have all the markings of the original event, with live entertainment and enthralling fun beach activities. What will be different however organizers say, is that all of the vendors at the event will be Saint Lucian in comparison to the previous event where the promoters controlled all of the bars and food concession. Food and drinks will also be more reasonably priced. Vendors from Gros Islet, as well as the beach vendors at Pigeon Island will also be involved. Ticket pricing has also been reduced - EC$100 and EC$150 per day.

The event was launched in Martinique last week and so far the response has been great organizers say. According to Sanovnik Destang of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association from all reports, a number of small hotels are confirming robust bookings, specifically for the event.

Destang, who is also the Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts, says that since the launch in Martinique, the Bay Gardens chain of four hotels have registered bookings from the neighbouring territory upwards of 90 percent for the period August 10-12- the weekend of Mercury Fest.

Mercury Fest will kick off at the Gros Islet Friday Night Street party on Friday August 10 with a free welcome event from 8 pm. Thereafter, the mainstage events will commence from midnight at Pigeon Island on August 10.

The first headline act will be popular French Entertainer Kalash who has in recent times won the hearts of Saint Lucians and fans from Martinique and Guadeloupe as well. This event will also feature popular DJs from Martinique DJ Fly, DJ Gill, DJ Stone Killas and DJ Killerz.

Then on Saturday August 11 the biggest beach party will unfold at Pigeon Island from 9 am, featuring Jamaican dancehall superstar Popcaan. Saint Lucian DJs Litchie Sounds, Hollywood HP and DJ Levi Chin will also entertain.

The event is also expected to entice after-parties and wind down events in the Gros Islet and Rodney Bay areas on August 11 and 12.

According to the Saint Lucian promoter, Sheldon Mitchel of Epic Events, he is grateful for the confidence placed in him and his team to deliver such an event which undoubtedly will accrue positive returns and benefits for the island.

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

07

HOW WAS YOUR CARNIVAL?

S

aint Lucia Carnival 2018 was a truly remarkable experience for Saint Lucians and visitors alike. With an increase in Government support since 2017, the event has grown in several areas. This year saw an increase in the number of community carnivals as well as events staged by private promoters. A number of hotels registered increased bookings for the event, with a number of flights completely sold out for carnival. The National events were also very well attended and the two day finale, the parade of the bands saw record numbers taking to the streets as well as viewing the spectacle along the routes.

Here is the feedback we got from some persons: Rohan Lovence- Band Leader/Asari Tribe: “I would just like to salute all our revelers and team members for our achievements this year, placing in the various competitions including 4th place Band of the year. We consist of a team of carnival novice but we make up in our expertise at innovation. Last year, our first year we had a total of 120 revelers and our expectations were to grow to 150 this year and hopefully 300 next year. However we registered 300 revelers this year, which speaks to the personal experience and brand satisfaction we seek to afford each reveler. The carnival is growing we are happy about that, but what I would say is that more emphasis needs to placed on the reveler experience on the road from both the bands perspective and the organizers or carnival.”

Ron Bizzle –Radio Announcer/Promoter: “I really enjoyed my carnival experience. It was especially great being the only male in an all women section (laughs) Great to see Red Unlimited back on the road and especially the best section leader Chelsie made everything great. Can’t wait for next year.”

Nela – Reveler/Just4Fun: “My carnival experience was simply amazing, particularly with the best band Just4Fun and the DJs really represented on the road playing a variety of good local soca. As someone who works in the hospitality industry, I was also happy to see so many visitors here for carnival, knowing how important tourism is to the economy. I think the investment government is making into carnivals is definitely paying off. Waiting for the day when the jump-up will be three days, until then I am ready for next year.

Ricky T – 2018 Power Soca Monarch Winner (Shaleh Sho) : “Thank you Saint Lucia for another memorable carnival. Thank you for allowing me to be part of what is an amazing experience each year and which keeps getting better. It has been my privilege to continue contributing music to the carnival, which you keep on embracing. A special thanks to all the promoters, DJs and the Government of Saint Lucia and the organizers for Carnival.”

Nassis & Krome - Road March winners (Bend Down for De Hmmm): “Carnival 2018, was the best . . . Ah tell you. We had a good year performing at all the big fetes and in the communities. We want to thank all the fans and all our supporters who really embraced us and our song over the past two and a half months. The experience has been awesome and still so new to us. We remain humble and hope to continue to supply our people with enjoyable tracks- big up to Dennery Segment!

08

21 July 2018

www.govt.lc

Saint Lucia Carnival 2018

Hands in the air if you feeling the vibe!

“T

his is one of the best festivals I have ever been to and I must add that I have been to festivals all over North America and the Caribbean,” an exuberant Craig Xavier remarked, as he took in one of the fetes for Saint Lucia carnival last Saturday.

For Craig, who is a Trinidadian living in Florida, it is all about the music, the scenic destination, the food and the Creole essence which sets Saint Lucia’s carnival apart. Not to mention a people with a penchant for partying and having a good time.

“I think what you guys are doing with the Dennery Segment with the African rhythms and use of Creole, is mind blowing, not to mention the different dances that go with it!”

Craig is echoing the sentiments of thousands of visitors to our shores who descended on the island to revel in one of the island’s greatest cultural showcases, Saint Lucia Carnival 2018.

Saint Lucia Carnival was officially launched on May 30th 2018, and since then it has been non-stop partying and the showcasing of the talent of our people, in music and song, pageantry, steelpan and costuming. The beauty of this island gem, is that it is able to capture the best of both worlds – the unique cultural experiences that the community carnivals offer, as well as the mass crowd events and fetes combined with the costumed revelry which brings the curtains down on the event carnival Monday and Tuesday.

Saint Lucia’s carnival is a national event and like all “true” national events it touches social strata across the island and the economic impact is felt all over. Food and drink vendors, service suppliers, security, food and drinks suppliers, taxi drivers, mini-bus operators, boutiques, small shop owners, restaurants, bars, hair and beauty salons, designers, entertainers, dancers, musicians – are just some of the sectors which benefit directly from this event.

Carnival is funded and promoted by the government of Saint Lucia - this year to the tune of EC$3 million. In 2017 the Government established the Events Company of Saint Lucia to place more focus on growing the event and bringing all sectors to the table to make the event even better.

ECSL collaborates with the Cultural Development Foundation and the Department of Culture to stage some of the events and a number of other players are engaged including Community carnival committees, town and village councils, the National Steel Bands Association, The Calypso Management Committee, The Carnival Bands Association, The Police as well as the marketing agency for the island the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) and the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA).

The SLHTA for its part says that it was happy to be associated with “the marquee Soleil Saint Lucia cultural showpiece, Saint Lucia Carnival 2018.”

According to Chief Executive Officer of the SLHTA Roderick Cherry; “Saint Lucia recently recorded the largest number of stay over visitors yet for a May month and hoteliers are very excited about the impact of record highs expected for the Carnival period. Many properties were sold out.”

According to Cherry, members of the SLHTA are commenting favourably

Minister Hon. Mary Isaac and Minister Hon. Fortuna Belrose with Carnival Queen 2018, Miss FICS - Earlyca Frederick.

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

08 09

Brings a Unique Experience Telling the story of MacBeth paid off for Tribe of Twel

Carnival was a production with bands going the extra mile to stand out.

on occupancy levels and Kudos to the organizers – ECSL and CDF as well as the marketing efforts of the SLTA. “This event continues to develop into something more magnificent annually,” he stated.

Saturday July 14 taking over the Pigeon Island beach as well as breakfast fetes on Sunday July 15, Boat rides and Jab Jab Fete all leading into J’ouvert which heralds the beginning of the end.

The build up to the grand finale for Saint Lucia’s carnival this year has been nothing short of phenomenal with a number of fantastic community carnivals taking place, an increase in the volume of good soca music and calypso and not to mention the continued hypnotic impact of the Dennery Segment.

Saint Lucia Carnival culminated with the two day street parade of the bands on carnival Monday and Tuesday, July 16 and 17. Fourteen bands accounting for more than 7,000 revelers took to the streets, in what has been described by many Saint Lucians as the best carnival yet. Bands from Dennery and Vieux Fort also participated as well as three bands from the French territories.

The penultimate weekend saw the return of Color Me Red, one of the best fetes for the season featuring a cast of local and foreign performers and headlined by Patrice Roberts and Kes the Band. Junior Carnival on Sunday July 8 saw increased participation, despite intermittent showers and a mammoth crowd – upwards of 7,000 turned out on Wednesday July 11 for Soca Kingdom headlined by Machel Montano. That event presented to patrons the first ever “Dennery Segment Cipher.”

Next up was the King and Queen of the bands on Thursday July 12 with a number of bands returning to the competition. This was followed by National Panorama on July 13 with participation by steel bands from Castries, Gros Islet, Babonneau, Laborie and Soufriere. And the biggest national events, Calypso Finals July 14 and Soca Monarch July 15 both attracted huge crowds coming to support their favourites.

Amidst all of these, there were a slew of events staged by private promoters including Verve’s Aura, Just 4 Fun’s “Remedy Beach Fete”

The Stilt walkers coming down the road was exciting to behold.

Veil Tobiere of Just 4 Fun agrees adding that for years the bands on their own have been bringing in some of the international DJs. “These DJs then go back and promote the carnival through the music which is one of our biggest attractions,” Tobierre says.

The two day parade was also well attended by visitors and locals, aligning the streets from the John Compton highway into Castries. This year, organizers spared no effort in the provision of stands, bleachers, tents and comfort stations along the route. A heavy police presence also ensured the safety of both revelers and spectators and from all reports Saint Lucia carnival 2018 has been relatively incident free.

The Mayor of Castries as a note of thanks will host a night of kings, a free carnival event near the Castries Market on Saturday July 21, closing off Carnival which however will still see a few gems popping up in other parts of the island well into August.

10

21 July 2018

www.govt.lc

DVRP Works Toward Building Resilience

Canelles AFTER Canelles Before

T

he aim of Saint Lucia’s Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) is largely to reduce urgent disaster vulnerability and increase long term climate resilience on the island. Given the island’s geographic location, hurricanes are an inevitable part of life, and the accompanying effects easily cause infrastructural and economic damage which often take years to restore. The DVRP seeks to address all risk factors beforehand, as to minimize any impending loss as a result of hurricanes and other hydro-meteorological events including intense flooding.

This multi-million dollar World Bank project scheduled to be completed by 2019, comprises of five components that will eventually make Saint Lucia more resilient and better able to recover as compared to past years.

The components include risk reduction and adaption measures, technical assistance for improved assessment and application of disaster risk information, and an emergency response component to support carrying out emergency recovery and reconstruction. These, as well as the other components work in tandem with, or directly affect the completion of the other components. The general goal of the DVRP upon completion is to measurably reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change in Saint Lucia.

The component geared toward risk reduction and adaption measures is the most prominent facet of the DVRP, as the public is privy to the physical, infrastructural work taking place on island. As of 2014, a series of road rehabilitation work to remedy hurricane damage have been undertaken under the DVRP and include the reconstruction of the Cannelles bridges along the East Coast road. Other completed projects include NEMO roof rehabilitation, NSDC building rehabilitation and Dennery Infant School reconstruction, to reduce vulnerability.

Now in 2018, the DVRP continues to work toward resilience ahead of impending natural disasters, and numerous projects are now in the pipeline, or close to implementation. As of June 2018, designs are being created for the construction of storm drains in various parts of the island.

These designs are expected to be complete by August 2018. Design plans for the reconstruction of the Piaye Bridge which has been replaced by a temporary structure since the Christmas Eve Trough are now underway.

The collapse of this Cannelles section of the highway caused major challenges for travel on our main road to the south.

While smaller accomplishments have been made under the DVRP like hiring technical specialists and procuring meteorological instruments, the biggest project now taking place is a Flood Alleviation Project to take place along major highways and secondary roads.

Speaking at a ceremony in early 2018, Hon. Guy Joseph and Parliamentary Representative for Castries South East lauded the project, especially its implementation in the Marc and Bexon area. This part of the island is well known for being badly affected by heavy rains and floods, and residents constantly endure damage to their homes. The Minister looks forward to the necessary relief that this new DVRP project will provide.

Project consultant Lester Arnold agrees that the project is timely, but admits that there is some preliminary work to be done before the government can award contracts for the project. Apart from the designs

by Arnold, this includes community consultations, field work, surveys and assessing any past literature that details previous work done in the area.

When completed, the aim of this project is to reduce the level of flooding in the selected communities, especially along the major roadways.

Work is not only limited to the Marc and Bexon communities. Anse La Raye, Soufriere and Micoud will also benefit from the nine-million-dollar drainage and slope stabilization under the DVRP. Land slippage is common along the West Coast Road, which makes this a necessary risk reduction measure.

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

08 11

Project Progress Report

Dennery School - Before The Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) was formed to reduce Saint Lucia’s vulnerability to natural disasters and to increase long term climate resilience by addressing the multi-faceted risk associated with hydro-meteorological events. Apart from climate resilience, the DVRP also provides funding for reconstruction projects caused by the floods of December 2013.

There are four (4) major components: Risk Reduction and Adaption Measures; Technical Assistance for Improved Assessment and Application of Disaster and Climate Risk Information in Decision Making; Climate Adaption Financing Facility (CAFF); Contingent Emergency Response Component.

As of the period January 2018 – March 2018, USD $5,619, 981.50 have been awarded between 9 contracts. These include USD $5,112, 336.16 toward the construction of the Dennery Polyclinic.

Numerous projects have started during this period, many of which are incomplete and will be fully completed in the next 12-18 months.

Component 1: Risk Reduction and Adaption Measures Several projects have been undertaken under the DVRP to remedy and rebuild the damage incurred after the 2013 Christmas Eve Trough. One such project is Flood Mitigation Works at the Hewanorra International Airport. This project is ongoing and is expected to be completed by December 2018. The study will be conducted by Canadian consultant ARCADIS and will make way for engineering options.

Road and bridge rehabilitation have been a major focal point under the DVRP. Improved drainage in flood prone areas like Bexon, Marc and parts of Castries have been made a priority, as well as slope stabilization along the West Coast Road in Anse La Raye and Soufriere. Road infrastructure along the major highway that connects the North and South has also been scheduled for works, and a consultant will prepare detail designs for a section of road in Micoud.

Rehabilitation of schools and health centers are also planned.

Projects include the construction of the Micoud Wellness Center, Dennery Polyclinic, Soufriere Hospital, and work on the Choiseul and Micoud Secondary School. Priority emergency centers, including those in Piaye, Blanchard, and Bexon will be retrofitted.

Dennery School - After Component 2: Technical Assistance for Improved Assessment and Application of Disaster and Climate Risk Information in Decision Making The preparation of guidelines and a Coral Reef Enhancement Plan for Point Sable Environmental Protection Area. On June 1st, the group Creocean presented the Inception Plan for this project. An alternate study will be conducted in Soufriere, should the project be unable to be undertaken at PSEPA. As regards personnel, Senior Level Technicians will be undertaking an 18-month training course at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology, while consultancy to developing training plans for local meteorological services are underway.

Consultancy services for the rehabilitation of the Hydro-Meteorological observation network have been rendered, and a Geospatial Coordinator has been contracted for the February 2018-February 2019 period.

Other progress under this component includes the upcoming installation of two tide gauges for strengthening sea level monitoring in Soufriere and Vieux-Fort, GPS equipment and training for the Department of Physical Planning, and the acquisition of two vehicles for the Surveys Department.

Component 3: Climate Adaption Financing Facility (CAFF) Lengthened repayment time on CAFF loans from the St Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) has been proposed after an increase in the number of loans being taken, and the competitive nature of lending institutes. As climate-smart homes and roofs are gaining traction, another suggestion includes the procurement of detailed architectural drawings and material lists to ensure that ‘clients get the climate resilient structures that they deserve for monies expended’.

12

21 July 2018

www.govt.lc

National Volunteer Programme 2000 Strong

Welcome cocktail for French Carnival Bands

W

ith over 2000 registered volunteers thus far, Volunteer Saint Lucia is adding a touch of excitement to volunteerism as it has always existed. A national volunteer endeavour with a vision of creating a renewed spirit of volunteerism in Saint Lucia through strengthened coalitions with the private sector and civil society, Volunteer Saint Lucia celebrates the talents and strengths of citizens.

Since inception in 2007, the organization has launched various chapters in communities around the island, all with a central focus on traditional Koudmen aspects of Saint Lucian culture. Under the patronage of the Governor General of Saint Lucia, this is of particular importance as it relates to the grouping’s desire to develop strong working relationships within the community, extending to various sectors and organizations in an effort to add value through training, experience, and the development of a multi-level structure of volunteers, and volunteer leaders.

Speaking to Our Saint Lucia, consultant with Volunteer Saint Lucia Diane Felicien highlighted some of the events the team she described as a grouping of passionate people with big hearts had been involved in recently, including Kiddies Carnival and National Carnival celebrations where volunteer roles involved greeting and interacting with visitors and ensuring the best experience was had by all. Their efforts will not be limited to island shores however. Felicien said the group could soon be partnering with Caribbean Volunteer Exchange (CVX), a regional volunteer exchange programme.

Panel Discussion on why volunteer

“We have a group of volunteers who give of themselves selflessly,” Felicien noted. “We have volunteers I can tell you who have sick children and they leave them with a friend or family member just to be able to come and show their support. We have volunteers who have family at hospital and still make an effort to show their face, and let you know what’s happening, and why they can’t be there. They are committed and selfless, which is what being a volunteer is all about.”

Felicien noted a need for more recognition to be given to the efforts of volunteers when it came to job selection, and even professional advancement.

“I would like to see that sort of consideration given to volunteers, not necessary of Volunteer Saint Lucia, but in general . . . more recognition for their service. I think if we see a lot of that, more people will want to volunteer.”

While volunteers to the national programme are not compensated financially, there are several modes of rewards and recognition available including an annual ceremony which celebrates and honors outstanding volunteers, and certification for successful completion of training.

Locally, responsibilities of volunteers varies, and is entirely dependant upon the event and the category of volunteer needed. Personnel for various events are selected from a cadre of professionals ranging from judges and ticketing agents to economists, lawyers, bankers, event planners, and more. Volunteer Saint Lucia uses the strength of volunteers to lend a helping hand to the community, maintaining a database of volunteers who can be accessed for any event in Saint Lucia.

As it relates to recruitment of volunteers, word of mouth is paramount.

Once identified, potential volunteers are screened and then trained with particular focus on core skills, and event specific protocol.

Bocce Festival Training

Building Resilience

www.govt.lc

08 13

Why Become a Volunteer!

Crowd management training with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force

Welcome to the energetic World of Volunteer Saint Lucia. For many Saint Lucians eighteen years and over, this programme offers a unique opportunity to showcase your spirit in community service with a formal, organized framework. Building upon the strong culture of volunteering in Saint Lucia “KOUDMEN”.

An organization or project that is committed to making a difference to others usually includes individuals who are also driven to make that difference, through taking the time to build relationships and often reaching those people who, for whatever reasons, are not in contact with statutory services. It’s building up those kinds of relationships and seeing the difference that they make which encourages volunteers to keep on giving their time and effort in order to make a difference in some way to the quality of life of those around them.

But volunteering doesn’t just add value to the voluntary and community sector, it also brings all kinds of benefits and changes to the individuals who get involved. Just a few examples of the kinds of benefits volunteering can bring are that it enhances employability and can influence career choice; it creates and provides opportunities to be a valued member of a team, to meet new people or make new friends and it can improve skills or even enable individuals to discover new ones.

Volunteer Saint Lucia will promote a culture in which more people can give more time to volunteering in exchange to acquiring new skills and new experiences.

At the West Indies vs Sri Lanka Test Match

14

21 July 2018

www.govt.lc

MINISTERS ON THE MOVE Minister Ezechiel Joseph with Wasco officials for talks in Cuba

Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee with the Mercury Fest Team got set to launch festival in Martinique

Minister Gale Rigobert spearheads talks between the Ministry of Education and the World Bank

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet meets up at concert with Teddyson John, Machel Montano, Music producer Kurty, Ricky T and other music producers.

Building Resilience

Connect With Us Office of the Prime Minister -www.facebook.com/opmsaintlucia -www.instagram.com/opmsaintlucia Allen Chastanet -www.facebook.com/allenmchastanet -www.twitter.com/allenmchastanet Lenard "Spider" Montoute -www.facebook.com/lenardspidermontoute Ezechiel Joseph -www.facebook.com/ezechieljoseph758 Sarah Flood Beaubrun -www.facebook.com/sarahfloodbeaubrun758 Guy Joseph -www.facebook.com/guyejoseph Stephenson King www.facebook.com/stephensonking Mary Isaac -www.facebook.com/maryisaacslu

www.govt.lc

08 15

SAINT LUCIA WE LOVE Did you know…

• Saint Lucian born and bred cricket sensation Daren Sammy was the first Saint Lucian to represent the West Indies on his debut in 2007. Since then, he’s gained a massive international following, and has gone on to pioneer the Daren Sammy Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission of developing future leaders and champions in sport and other areas.

• It is not uncommon to see children being raised or fostered in the homes of their grandparents or other relatives in Saint Lucia. As seen also in other islands of the region, this is particularly so because of parents migrating for work opportunities, leaving dependant children behind. With the creation of new job opportunities locally, the future may very well present a new outlook for keeping families together.

• Prior to being included into the Windward Islands group in 1940, Saint Lucia was recognized as a part of the British Leeward Islands.

Fortuna Belrose -www.facebook.com/fortunabelrose758 Dominic Fedee -www.facebook.com/dominic.fedee Herod Stanislas -www.facebook.com/herodstanislas Bradly Felix -www.facebook.com/bradlyfelix758 Dr Gale T C Rigobert -www.facebook.com/drgalerigobert758 Edmund Estephane -www.facebook.com/edmundestephane758

Our Saint Lucia!

Carnival celebrations have come and gone, and the island will return slowly to life as usual, as the last of the feathers and glittery beads become distant memories to be cherished forever. In the spirit of cooling down, and experiencing the best Saint Lucia has to offer, why not check out some of the most talked about tourist attractions, taking advantage of the many deals and discounts available for locals? The Diamond Botanical Gardens and Waterfall, tours at Morne Coubaril Estate, or even zipline gliding with Rainforest Adventures are all low key but fulfilling experiences you’ll be happy you tried!