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Saint Lucia Deepens Commitment to Compassionate Service

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Saint Lucia on June 7, marked its third annual National Day of Caring, an initiative championed locally by Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, Hon. Joachim Henry, whose vision of a more compassionate and responsive Saint Lucia continues to unfold with increasing impact.

First observed locally in 2023, the National Day of Caring has grown into a hallmark event on the national calendar, an annual testament to Saint Lucia’s shared humanity. This year’s observance placed renewed focus on vulnerable and destitute individuals across the country and saw the Ministry going beyond city limits to deliver care island-wide.

In a first-of-its-kind undertaking, teams were deployed to communities across Saint Lucia, reaching out with hope, dignity, and tangible support. They distributed care hampers, administered emotional and social support, and tended to the needs of individuals too often forgotten or left behind.

Minister Henry, in reflecting on the journey since the observance’s inception, described the National Day of Caring as “a calling to serve, to see people for who they are, and to extend a hand where it is needed most. We are not just marking a date on the calendar,” he said, “we are demonstrating the kind of nation we aspire to become, one rooted in care and compassion.”

He further emphasized that caring is not a one-day affair, but a lifestyle and responsibility that all citizens must embrace: “This vision was born out of a simple belief that government must not only administer, but care. We are proud to lead by example.”

Permanent Secretary, Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, stating, “The observance serves to remind us that compassion must remain central to governance and nation-building. This year, we are taking that message directly to the people-where they are, as they are.”

All Saint Lucians were invited to wear white with a touch of national colours, symbolizing purity, unity, and national pride in the pursuit of a more caring society. Since its establishment, the National Day of Caring has focused on promoting inclusion and uplifting marginalized groups, particularly persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children in need of protection. It has featured community fairs, award recognitions, panel discussions, and strategic partnerships with civil society organizations and faith-based groups.

The initiative aligns closely with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal #10 – Reducing Inequality and supports the Government’s mission to build a more equitable and socially responsive state.

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