2009 News Articles

 NCF Telethon - 2009
 Posted on Wednesday, March 25, 2009
The Governor General and Patron of the NCF, Dame Pearlette Lousiy launched the National Community Foundation’s Sixth Annual Telethon at the NIC Conference Room on Tuesday March 24th. The launching brought together Volunteers and staff of the NCF, Sponsors, Media Personalities, Artistes and beneficiaries of the Foundation. Testimonials were delivered by persons who had benefited from the Foundation in such areas as Health, Education, Persons with Disabilities and the Homeless, as well as corporate sponsors.

Executive Director of the NCF, Juliana Alfred in welcoming the audience expressed gratitude to the individuals, organizations and corporate entities that have been supportive of the work of the Foundation and encouraged families to come and enjoy an entertainment package for only $10 for adults. To date, the following donors, ECFH, LUCELEC, CFL, Renwick & Company and CMMB have made commitments to pledge at this year’s Telethon.

The programme for this year’s event promises to be encompassing of all audiences. Some of the local Artistes on the line up for this telethon include: Luther Francois, Kendra Payne, Elra Ermay, Linda “Chocolate” Berthier & Divine Tones, Esoteric Drummers, Silver Shadow Dancers, TC Browne, Alpha, Helen Folk Dancers - Folk Fashion, Crystal Lights Dance Academy School of Music,Ken Hardy & The Soul Dreads, Ras Isley, Writers Forum, Amaté, Dantes, Hilary La Force,TEM Band, Trish, Shane Ross, Level 4,Tu-ché,Emrand Henry,Delonia Joseph, Q-shan Dea,Semi Francis, Zionomi, Lenny Denab, & Minelle. Telethon is scheduled for April 19 at Pigeon Island from 12 noon.


 Dollar A Night Awards
 Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009
On 18th February NCF presented plaques of appreciation to Bay Gardens Inn, Bay Gardens Hotel, Bay Gardens Beach Resorts and Coco Resorts for their support to the Dollar a Night” Initiative. The “Dollar a Night” Initiative was launched in 2006 and provides guest an opportunity to contribute US $1.00 per night towards a worthy cause for every night of their stay. The NCF has received over $50,000.00 in contributions from these hotels, most of which supplements the Disadvantaged Children’s Scholarship Programme. In attendance at the ceremony were the Governor General and Patron of the NCF Dame Pearlette Louisy, management of Bay Gardens chain and Coco Resorts and students from various secondary schools on the island. The Patron commended the hotel management for such a valuable partnership and appealed to the students to appreciate the gift they had been offered by always seeking excellence in their pursuits.
The National Community Foundation (NCF) is a philanthropic, non-profit, community based organization that functions primarily as a grant making institution. The NCF’s biggest fundraising event National Telethon is slated for April 19th at the Pigeon Island National Landmark.
Contact: Juliana Alfred, Executive Director
Tel. 453-6661; 716-5992, 5197227
Fax: 451-9882
Email: stluciancf@candw.lc or stluciancf@gmail.com

 If you asked me
 Posted on Sunday, February 08, 2009
Quite often our St. Lucian society seems to be judged by the few negatives that pop up now and again. We hear and read about the shocking stories of the latest homicide or some government minister making decisions we surmise are not to our benefit. We even subscribe to the “roro mentality” by putting negatives where nothing but positives deserved to be.
However, if one only took the time to stay tuned to our local newscasts way past the first two or three stories, we would probably understand why saying St. Lucia is truly blessed is not just a catchy phrase but a reality. If one took the time to read past the front pages of our newspapers, we would probably become more acquainted with the vast number of positives that do get highlighted where our average citizens perform extraordinary feats.
Here are just a few examples that occurred to me in just one day. On Friday morning of last week, I attended the eighth annual science fair at the Montessori Centre. There, the school’s science coordinator, Miss Neeta Chowtie, informed me that the pupils had prepared one hundred and thirty-five science projects! She also informed me that the science fair initiative is a requirement for all pupils from grade two through six and indicated that the response from the students was excellent throughout the years.
As I went from classroom to classroom, the innocence of those kids – the eldest of whom I surmised may be no older than eleven – appeared to be accompanied by an indescribable guilt: a guilt that lay in their willingness to think big. As I moved around the classrooms, every child had a detailed explanation of his or her project. James, Raquelle, Sunil, Coral, Jean-Philippe, Savannah and the dozens of other young minds were in their zone.
Sensing that someday one of those kids will probably be leading this country, their – and our – futures seem a whole lot brighter than the Milky Way.
One hour later, I was at the NIC Conference Room, where the National Community Foundation was hosting a stakeholder sensitization workshop. Quite apart from NCF’s Chairperson, Ms. Jacintha Lee, and Executive Director, Ms. Juliana Alfred, giving their opening remarks and overview of the NCF respectively (which I had unfortunately missed since I was late due to congested traffic), there were presentations from various sub-committees: disadvantaged committee, health committee, older persons committee, homeless committee, youth at risk committee and public relations committee.
As each representative went to the podium to present their report, the entire audience sat in pin-drop silence as it was apprised on the many arduous efforts some of our noble citizens – the NCF body, volunteers and donors – put in to bring a little light where darkness once seemed destined.
We were told that through donor agencies and the annual telethon, the NCF has been able to make a huge impact in the lives of St. Lucians throughout the expanse of this country. Scholarship for schoolchildren, medical treatments for the sick, provision of programmes to keep our children away from the negatives, just to name a few. But overall, providing the quality services any functioning and responsible government should emulate.
Later that evening, I was privileged to be a part of the closed seminar convened by American motivational speaker, Johnny Wimbrey, at Rex Resorts. My purpose for being there was that organizers of the event recalled me telling them some time ago that through Wimbrey’s inspirational messages in February of last year, I quit my previous job the same day I heard him speak to pursue my long-time dream: journalism. And I know – as Johnny told me on Friday – there will be more challenges on the horizon but those are the least of my problems.
That night, too, I witnessed St. Lucians who pledged to break free from the shackles of procrastination and self-doubt and embark on the mission of fulfilling their lifelong ambitions. More importantly, they intend to pass on that motivation to their peers and family members. The net result will augur for a better society we so clamour for in our letters to the editor and calls to our talk shows.
Which brings me to last Sunday’s launch of F.A.I.T.H. at Derek Walcott Square. It was quite pleasing to the eye to see our youths show up for such a motivational event. But – sadly – most of the people who readily dial familiar numbers to our talk shows on a daily basis seemed too preoccupied with coming up with fresh topics to lambast the government or some organization for not doing what they think it should.
It seems quite obvious that unless our brother or cousin or uncle does not become a crime statistic, fighting crime is not our business. Unless our sister or aunt or niece does not become a statistic of rape or child molestation, crime seems to be somebody else’s headache.
Although I am no expert – nor do I think I will ever be on the matter – what I do know is that Helen is seriously hurting. And like the many others who are willing to do more than just talk, I am prepared to do my bit to help in the process of returning our nation to the safe environment it was just about fifteen years ago.
The critics may well be arguing that CAPS and F.A.I.T.H. are just new “pappyshow” organizations that are created to benefit some egotistical individuals. Criminals love to hear that. But through attending their press conferences, one would understand that the opposite is true. And should their objectives change tomorrow, I would be one of the first to let my fellow St. Lucians know. But for now, all the assistance we need in crippling the growth of crime is welcome.
If we so boast about our island being truly blessed, then one of our duties to Fair Helen should be to treat her fairly. Johnny Wimbrey cancelled prior paid engagements to address us and to challenge us to not just think outside of the box but to see no box. And he did it for free! As proud St. Lucians, we should be proud of him taking time out from his worldwide schedule to grace our shores for the fourth time. Thanks, Johnny!
Finally, as a people who are firm in the belief that we are truly blessed, we should endeavour to pay more attention to what benefits us for the better than what tears us apart. We should be part of things not for the self-aggrandizement but for the fact that we just so happen to be able to change the state of someone’s life for the better. If we can rekindle the koudmain spirit that once upon a time saturated Helen, we would have made a dent in a major way. And – if you asked me -- the koudmain spirit – like Time – is the best message in a bottle on Helen’s horizon.

 Chess in 4th year at schools  Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2009
 The True Spirit of St. Lucia  Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009
 NCF Chess Open Day  Posted on Tuesday, February 10, 2009
 Chess Open Day  Posted on Saturday, February 07, 2009
 NCF dollar-a-night initiative bears more fruit  Posted on Thursday, February 05, 2009
 Coco Resorts gives to NCF  Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009
 NCF aids communities vulnerable to poverty  Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009
 NCF initiates a new project  Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009
 New "Donate a Book" initiative at NCF  Posted on Saturday, January 03, 2009