The traditional St Lucian Lavéyé has its roots in African tradition. Normally, friends and family gather at the home of the deceased to tell stories, share their condolences and memories, sing hymns and sanngki, play games, eat food and drink together. In the old days, the Lavéyé was quiet and reserved but in more recent times, it became very lively and animated. It was widely believed that, at a wake, the spirit of the deceased gathered food and drinks and said goodbye to everybody before continuing on to its final resting place. Unfortunately, however, the traditional Lavéyé is fast disappearing as more and more families express the desire to be allowed to mourn in private maybe as a counter to undesirable traits that had crept into the activity.

Insofar as Pat Charles left her indelible mark on both FRC as an organization and on the members of the organization and that very few who actually had the privilege of encountering this paladin would not have been positively impacted, FRC invites everybody to participate in this event. The intention, as well, is to promote an aspect of our folk culture which is fast disappearing. FRC, therefore, encourages guests to bring eats and drinks and to be prepared to participate in traditional storytelling, games and singing.

The Lavéyé is expected to begin at 7pm.

The Cuban Eye Centre of Excellence is currently staffed by seventeen (17) Cuban volunteers. In addition the Cuban Government is also committed to providing medical supplies and equipment as well as maintenance services to facilitate the functioning of the Centre. To date some Five Hundred (500) persons have been screened for surgery operations. The Staff of the Centre are committed to attending to most of these cases during the current calendar year.

Some four (4) patients have been benefited from Cataract surgery since the history making procedure on March 3^rd, 2010. The Governments of Saint Lucia and Cuba signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2008 during an official visit to Cuba by Minister of Health Hon. Keith Mondersire.  The Memorandum of Understanding stipulates responsibilities and  guidelines related to the Cuban Miracle Eye Care Programme in Saint Lucia.

THE CARICOM NEWS ROUND UP IS A SERVICE BROUGHT TO YOU WITH THE COURTESY OF THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT’S PUBLIC INFORMATION UNIT

As part of her terms of reference, Dr. Rosina Wiltshire will be required to coordinate the research on Gender Based Violence (GBV) within the Caribbean Region and raise awareness of the need for further action to develop and strengthen integrated responses that will “address all social and legal sectors for the purposes of protection, provision of services; justice; and prevention.”

The establishment of an Office of the Special Advocate against GBV underpins the strategy to reduce the high incidence of violence against women in the Caribbean.

Funded under the CARICOM / Spain Cooperation Agreement, the two-year project seeks to develop a more coordinated and integrated approach to reducing Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the CARICOM region.

With more than 25 years of postgraduate teaching, research and evaluation, Dr Wiltshire has garnered a wealth of experience in Gender and Development – complemented by a range of requisite skills in leadership and development, advocacy and team building, strategic planning, resource mobilisation, donor coordination and media management -  which make her an ideal person to assume the responsibility  of Special Advocate.

In addition, Dr Wiltshire has further honed her skills and applied her experience at the national, regional and international levels: She served for 14 years in various capacities at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), most recently as the UN Resident Coordinator/ UNDP Resident Representative for Barbados and the OECS Prior to this, Dr Wiltshire worked as the Coordinator for gender and sustainable development at the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.

A prolific writer, Dr Wiltshire has published in the areas of Foreign Policy, Caribbean Regional Integration, Migration and Development, Social Dimensions of Structural Adjustment, Gender and Development and Women, Environment and Development.

Her skills and professional experience are underpinned by a brilliant scholastic profile, including her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

As Special Advocate, Dr Wiltshire will also propose specific recommendations aimed at enhancing Member States’ compliance with their international and regional priority obligations of equality and non-discrimination. As such, the Advocate will be expected to influence policy development on GBV in the Caribbean through advocacy and knowledge provision.

On Monday, March 8, which is observed globally as International Women’s Day, Dr Wiltshire will be introduced to the regional media at a press conference at the CARICOM Secretariat where she will make her first presentation as the CARICOM Advocate for Gender Justice.

The Minister for Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities, Hon. Guy Joseph stated recently that importation of water was not an option at this juncture and that the situation was sufficiently under control. The Minister further stated that importation of water was an extremely expensive option which would have to be avoided at all cost. The claims therefore within the local Press of water was being imported into the island is completely unfounded and is  only contributing towards the unnecessary heightening of anxiety and alarm.

Enquiries by the Office of Government Press Secretary with the General manager of the Water and Sewage Authority, Mr. John Joseph, President of the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr. Anthony Bowen, and the General Manager of the Dominica Water and Sewerage Company (DOWASCO), Mr. Bernard Etinoffe confirm that no such process involving water importation from Dominica had been set in motion.

The Government of Saint Lucia would like to inform the public that there are certain requirements, which MUST be met in relation to the importation of water into Saint Lucian. This would involve the following:

1. The submission of a certificate by the local interest to the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health from the source of the water confirming that the water has met required standards.
2. Provision of information to the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health on the mode of transportation to Saint Lucia including date and Port of arrival.
3. Imported water would have to be tested on arrival at the particular port to ascertain its suitability for consumption before it can be approved for consumption on the island.

The Water and Sewage Company has made it clear that it would not be prepared to add water from external sources into its supplies for fear of possible contamination. The Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association on the other hand has declared that for the time being they are satisfied with the effort of the local Water and Sewage Authority in meeting their needs and managing the current situation. Mr. Bowen explained that the SLHTA had simply made what he described as an exploratory move in writing to the DOWASCO to determine their willing to assist if required. During a telephone conversation between the Mr. Bernard Etinoffe, DOWASCO’s General Manager and Government’s Press Secretary, the Head of the Dominican water company confirmed that he did receive a letter from the SLHTA but that there were no discussions about actual shipment of water to Saint Lucia.

The Government of Saint Lucia assures the public that measures are being put in place to effectively manage existing supplies and to ensure that future demands are met. Cabinet is currently reviewing proposals involving the initiation of exploration for ground water sources.  Government encourages all Saint Lucians to cooperate with the measures currently in place under the recently issued Declaration of Water Related Emergency and further to employ necessary water conservation measures in their day to day activities. Government reminds all Saint Lucians that the current situation is one of national concern that requires understanding and cooperation at all levels. Government therefore calls on all interest to desist from politicizing and or sensationalizing the current water situation.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is mandated by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to establish policies and programmes to promote the development of …  women in the Community with a view to encouraging and enhancing their participation in social, cultural, political and economic activities. This imperative is fundamental to achieving the IWD theme for 2010, “equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all”.

Fifteen years ago at the Fourth World Conference for Women (FWCW) in Beijing, governments of the Region stood arm in arm with world governments as they pledged to advance equality, development and peace for all women everywhere. Subsequently, this inspired national policies and legislation that affirmed that equality and opportunity are inalienable rights. But as we celebrate this milestone of the Beijing Declaration, it is timely that we reflect on ways to overcome remaining obstacles and new challenges including those relating to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Although inequalities still exist, the CARICOM Region has made significant progress over the last decades in achieving equality between women and men.  This is mainly due to legislation, gender mainstreaming, the institutionalisation of gender programmes and a proliferation of studies and policy analyses that have fostered a better understanding of the complementary gender roles. All these have enhanced advocacy by civil society partners, and some extraordinarily committed individuals, some of whom have received the triennial Award for Women and are present with us today .

Nevertheless, there is still work to be done to accelerate progress for equality and gender justice.  These include but are not limited to: the harmonization of national legislation with international instruments; promotion of secure livelihoods; ensuring access to social protection and strengthening public interventions to address domestic violence.

As we entered 2010, Haiti, the newest member of the Caribbean Community was struck by a most powerful earthquake that wrought extreme destruction and loss of life. Among the many who died were Myriam Merlet, Anne Marie Coriolan, and Magalie Marcelin, three women who fought for justice and empowerment of women in Haiti and were the lynchpins of the fledgling women’s movement in that country.  Let us commemorate their lives by pledging to intensify our efforts nationally, regionally and globally to safeguard women’s rights to health, nutrition, safety and dignity. These efforts must be not only for the benefit of those who suffer in the post earthquake period in Haiti but also those that have experienced the trauma of the catastrophe in Chile and vulnerable groups around the World.     Let us use this as an occasion to join forces in constructing sustainable programmes to deal with natural disasters and emergencies, taking account of the needs of women and men who suffer forced displacement.

Let us as a Region, resolve to promote “equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all” by translating the strategic actions of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) into significant actions for women’s rights, empowerment and gender equality.

To all, Happy International Women’s Day!!!

As the telethon’s presenting sponsor LIME led the way with a US $200,000 donation which included LIME’s corporate donation, company-matched contributions from employees and proceeds from LIME customers’ text donations.  The company’s contribution was presented on-air by Chief Marketing Officer, (CMO) Chris Dehring and Managing Director for Jamaica and Cayman, Geoff Houston.

The star-studded event, which was staged in the ballroom of the Hilton Kingston Hotel, featured performances and personal appeals from some of the region’s brightest stars including international superstar Shaggy, Soca Maestro Machel Montano and Caribbean diva, Alison Hines.  Also giving strong support were reggae veterans Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffith and Judy Mowatt as well as up-and-coming talents, Tessanne Chin, Tami Chynn, Chino and Ding Dong.

In addition to performing, several celebrities manned the phones throughout the event taking pledges from the public.  LIME provided a toll-free number for calls from across the region and individuals, groups and corporations could make donations via credit card or pledge cash to be collected at a later date.  Contributions could also be made via text message.

The telethon featured a steady stream of solid performances by some of the Caribbean’s leading artistes interspersed with recorded appeals from several prominent Jamaican citizens including Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller and LIME’s CMO, Chris Dehring.

Soca Queen Alison Hines (second right) and Dancehall artist Barbee (left) were among the entertainers who lent strong support to the LIME CVM Haiti Earthquake Relief telethon. Chris Dehring, (right) Chief Marketing Officer for LIME Caribbean and CEO of CVM TV, David McBean seemed only too happy to extend their sincere thanks to the ladies.

LIME’s Self Top Up service, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, gives customers the ability to top up using their own LIME mobile phone, saving the need to visit a Top Up vendor or retail outlet.

LIME Self Top Up service is available in all LIME Caribbean countries.

To take advantage of LIME’s unique Self Top Up service, customers can simply register on line at www.time4lime.com using an international credit or debit card, then follow the quick and easy steps to create a handset profile, get a five- digit security pin and then customers can Self Top up and go!

“LIME’s exclusive Self Top Up service is the quick and easy way to add minutes anywhere, anytime – from overseas, on the road, or from the comfort of your own home,” said Chris Dehring, LIME’s Chief Marketing Officer.  “With Self Top Up LIME prepaid customers are strictly in control of when to top up their prepaid service balance – either for themselves or for family and friends using their LIME mobile handset or their personal computers.”

With Self Top Up service, LIME is continuing to provide unmatched value and convenience for its customers by giving its prepaid subscribers an additional option for adding credit to their accounts.

All six SLYC boats were out to greet the starter for the six short races planned to decide this year’s Club Champion.

Perfect conditions with winds of 10/15 knots from the East/South East provided an excellent test of skills for all contestants & a great spectacle for all spectators including those on board the “Endless Summer” catamaran.

‘Banana Wind’, crewed by a group of experienced SLYC Juniors Sailors
(Erik Matthew Simmons, Thomas Meixner, Luc Chevrier, Eduardo St Paul, Stephanie Lovel) coached by Ben Todd the Club Senior Coach showed just how well they can compete against all of the other J24 sailors, after only two days of solid training, with finishing places of:-  4; 5; 3; 2; 2; 2 to give them 3rd place overall on 18 points.

‘Unbridled’ with Lucian Olympic Sailor Mike Green at the helm proved far to good with his boat handling skills and experienced crew to finish 1st overall with finishing places of:-  1; 3; 1; 1; 3; 1 and a total of 10 points.

‘Jabal’ skippered by Nick Forsberg finished 2nd overall with finishing places of:-  3; 2; 2; 5; 1; 3 and a total of 16 points.

4th, 5th & 6th places were filled by ‘Loose Cannon’ – Edgar Roe – 21 points;  ‘Grayling’ – Frank Capers – 28 points and ‘Attitude’ – Charles Devaux – 33points.

A big Thank You for our sponsors:

IGY Rodney Bay Marina provided the 1st prize: one free lift and 7 days storage
and the  Runner up: one free lift and 3 days storage
Also Heineken, St Lucia Rum Distilleries and Delirius provided drinks & vouchers.

And also thanks to Duncan Gray, who provided the Committee boat Sephina.

Adam Foster the IGY Marina General Manager presented the trophies during the prize giving at the St Lucia Yacht Club to an enthusiastic group who had all enjoyed a wonderful day of sailboat racing on Rodney Bay.

For photos log on to  www.stluciayachtclub.com

Keith was a tremendous individual, who inspired us all both as a person and a coach. St. Lucia held a special place in his heart and his family and friends will work to make sure all his dreams become reality.

Keith was a pioneer in British football, becoming the first black full-time professional manager. At the time of his death, he was in detailed discussions with the St. Lucia Football Association over the development of a major youth development programme, expected to begin in the Spring.

The Sacred Sports Foundation he started in St. Lucia will continue to build a lasting legacy devoted to the development of disadvantaged youth.

Keith Alexander, aged 53, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He is survived by his wife Helen, three sons and a daughter. His parents, John and Josephine Alexander, along with sister Nova and brother Delroy live in St. Lucia.

Further details on arrangements will be forthcoming.

ABOUT SACRED SPORTS FOUNDATION INC.

Sacred Sports Foundation is a registered non-profit company, established by Keith Alexander and several family members. It seeks to provide Caribbean youth with greater access to strong, sustainable sport programmes. It will encourage local youth to increase participation in sport as a means of community development, self improvement and enjoyment.

On June 17, 2009 Coach Alexander officially launched Sacred Sports Foundation, a sport-based non-profit charity and said he would develop a sustainable football programme designed to help improve the fortunes of young sportsmen and women.

Coach Alexander was recently voted among the 30 most influential black people in English football this century.