A transformative social development program in Saint Lucia is demonstrating significant success in empowering vulnerable communities through comprehensive agricultural and business training. The Koudmen Sent Lisi initiative, administered by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), provides targeted support to households struggling with economic challenges, offering them a pathway toward sustainable livelihoods and financial autonomy.
The program’s multifaceted approach includes practical training sessions, essential resource provision, and ongoing mentorship in agricultural techniques and small enterprise development. Beneficiaries receive crucial assistance ranging from seedlings and farming equipment to financial support and business management guidance, creating a holistic framework for economic improvement.
Among the success stories is Kerina Isembert from Choiseul, who credits the program with substantially enhancing her farming capabilities. “The assistance has been pivotal in my growth as a farmer,” Isembert remarked. “The team helped me in so many ways by providing seedlings and other farming necessities. Most of all, I have enjoyed and benefited significantly from the training provided.”
The program’s hands-on methodology includes regular site visits where agricultural officers assess progress and provide personalized recommendations. This practical approach has proven particularly valuable, as evidenced by Vieux Fort residents Joanna and Imran Jules, who noted: “The officers came to our farm to encourage us and give us insights on how to take care of the crops. They also supplied seedlings, financial support and advice on how to manage everything.”
SSDF Executive Director John Victorin emphasized the program’s strategic design: “Koudmen Sent Lisi is engineered to empower individuals and improve their quality of life by providing the tools, training and support needed to build sustainable livelihoods. Our goal is to help participants move toward independence and create lasting economic opportunities for themselves and their families.”
Participants are carefully selected from the Ministry of Equity’s Public Assistance Programme, with prioritization given to those most in need of poverty alleviation interventions. The initiative represents a significant investment in human capital development, aiming to build both technical capabilities and personal confidence among beneficiaries.
Through such comprehensive community empowerment efforts, the SSDF continues to address systemic poverty while contributing to broader national development objectives. The program not only transforms individual circumstances but also strengthens agricultural sectors and local economies across Saint Lucia.