Helen’s Daughters is proud to announce a multi-year partnership with CIBC Caribbean Bank in support of its Life Academy and Ag-Cademy programmes, two of its flagship training and capacity-building initiatives offered completely free of charge to women across Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. This partnership reflects CIBC Caribbean’s Culture of Care commitment to empowering communities and creating meaningful opportunities across the region. These programmes continue to transform the landscape of women’s participation in agriculture across the Eastern Caribbean.
The Life Academy programme is a monthly learning series that helps FarmHers grow as well-rounded individuals. It covers topics that go beyond agriculture but are essential for personal and professional development, including financial literacy, climate change awareness, nutrition, women’s health and public speaking. Through these sessions, women develop leadership skills, build self-confidence, and strengthen their ability to adapt and thrive in today’s changing world.
The Helen’s Daughters Ag-Cademy, provides women, from beginners to large-scale farmers, with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools to manage sustainable and profitable agricultural enterprises. Over the course of ten weeks, participants engage in weekly sessions that combine theory and hands-on fieldwork, covering key topics such as sustainable agriculture, financial literacy, nutritional marketing, intellectual property and agri-tourism.
The Helen’s Daughters Ag-Cademy Certificate is recognized by Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development as an equivalent to the national “Good Agricultural Practices” (GAP) Certification. This recognition also qualifies farmers to obtain an official Saint Lucia Farmer’s License, providing access to agricultural concessions and enabling them to secure higher prices for their produce with Massy Stores and other retailers.
CIBC Caribbean has made a significant multi-year contribution to support the Life Academy and Ag-Cademy programmes over the next three years. This long-term partnership underscores the bank’s strong commitment to investing in Saint Lucia’s future, promoting food security, supporting community development, and advancing women’s economic empowerment.
Mr. Nigel Ollivierre, Country Head, Saint Lucia, CIBC Caribbean, officially presented the contribution on behalf of the bank to Mrs. Keithlin Caroo-Afrifa, Executive Director and Founder of Helen’s Daughters.
“When women thrive, communities thrive. At CIBC Caribbean, our Culture of Care means creating opportunities that uplift people and strengthen community resilience. Helen’s Daughters invests in women, families, and the future of agriculture in our region—and we’re honored to support this transformative work as partners in progress,” Mr. Ollivierre, said.
The official handover ceremony took place on Sunday, October 19, during a live Ag-Cademy practical session at Mother Nature’s in Bloom Farm (run by FarmHer Helena) in Chassin, Babonneau, a farm supported under Helen’s Daughters’ agri-tourism initiative. Members of the CIBC Caribbean team joined participants in the field for a firsthand look at the programme’s impact, engaging directly with the women farmers whose success stories are being made possible through their support.
Helen’s Daughters (HD) is a Caribbean non-profit dedicated to empowering women in agriculture and strengthening economies across the Caribbean through sustainable agriculture, market access, and capacity-building.