Saint Lucia recently joined several other global states to observe the International Day of Caring.
The National Day of Caring, initiated by CaringBridge, a registered nonprofit organization, aims to foster a culture of compassion and support. The event highlights various forms of caring, from community service to environmental stewardship, and focuses on the diverse needs of society, particularly children and the most vulnerable.
For the second consecutive year, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment observed the National Day of Caring with two major activities that involved communities across the island. The participating communities demonstrating “acts of caring, kindness, and compassion” included Gros Islet, Castries North, Castries Central, and South Castries alongside Anse La Raye, Canaries, Dennery North, and Vieux Fort.
Key highlights to mark the observance included a Community Outreach Day observed on June 6, which focused on specialised care Initiatives. Activities included offering specialised care to families with children who are mentally challenged and providing support to elderly individuals in need of social and psychological assistance.
“The National Day of Caring shone the spotlight on the Ministry’s various departments with each unit demonstrating how they care for citizens through daily acts of caring,” Minister for Equity and Social Justice Joachim Henry told reporters, at a media briefing, on Monday.
On June 7, National Day of Caring, several areas including the Ministry of Equity and the Constitution Park, in Castries, showcased acts of caring. On that day, several government ministers were involved in preparing bedding material for vulnerable persons who take solace within the confines of the Vigie Multi-Purpose Complex, during the passage of a hurricane.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s theme, ‘I am what I choose to become,’ underscores the collective responsibility to care for one another and the community.
Minister Henry noted that there are individuals who demonstrate acts of caring daily, and implored more persons including media representatives to join in promoting future activities.
He said that citizens should demonstrate acts of caring, “as a value (that) we should encourage, as a value that we appreciate, as a value that we want to showcase in the ordinary things that we do and how we go about our lives.”
Henry stated that there are individuals in need, and there is something to respond to. He said that while citizens are not able to serve everyone, parliamentarians are afforded funds through the Community Development Project (CDP) “to have some means of assisting some individuals.”
The minister added that several community-based organisations regularly assist vulnerable persons, including the Salvation Army and others, while the ministry supports them with these endeavors.
According to government sources, in recent years, the administration has undertaken significant reforms to create a more inclusive social protection system to alleviate poverty and reduce inequalities.
National Day of Caring aligns with these efforts, promoting sustainable development and ensuring no one is left behind.
R.A.