THIRTY-FOUR PARTICIPANTS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION AT A CLOSING CEREMONY AT THE NSDC ON OCT. 25.

An improved pathway to success, is how equity and business officials are describing a just concluded pilot initiative, which seeks to empower dozens of enterprising yet marginalized single mothers. 

The Single Mothers Entrepreneur Assistance Programme (SMEAP), an initiative of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) and the BelFund, targets vulnerable mothers who already benefit from government support under the Public Assistance Programme (PAP). The PAP, Belfund and the SSDF all fall under the auspices of the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment.   

Financed under the newly initiated Social Investment Fund (SIF), the single mothers’ initiative is designed to break the dependency on government’s established social protection services.

“You are here because we care about Saint Lucia. We are not granting you a favor but we are investing in you. We believe that part of our responsibility as a competent government is to secure a better future for our children,” noted Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment Hon. Joachim Henry.

To sharpen their business acumen, females selected for the programme underwent basic business management training for a four-week period. They also received business mentorship guidance and will be closely monitored by officials of the Belfund as they manage their businesses. 

“I am happy with the graduation strategy plan. I think this is really needed at this time. Due to the recent unveiling, Single Mothers of the Public Assistance Programme (PAP) will now become contributors to the sustainability and growth of Saint Lucia’s economy,” exclaimed Deputy Director of the Welfare Services Unit Tanzia Toussaint.

Nineteen (19) participants from the north and fifteen (15) from the south received certificates of completion at a closing ceremony at the National Skills Development Centre on October 25, 2022. Looking on were Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs Hon. Emma Hippolyte, together with officials from the private and public sectors, as well as officials of the St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC), which funded the project to the tune of $300,000.00. An additional $150,000.00 also provided by LUCELEC, will go towards meeting varying needs of vulnerable households.

“Our tagline is ‘The Power of Caring’. This was instituted to give individuals an opportunity that they may not have had. We are glad to work with the Ministry of Equity and give our Single Mothers a business opportunity to make a difference in your families and society,” remarked Roger Joseph, Manager for Strategy Development and Implementation (LUCELEC).

Acting Executive Director of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) John Victorin advocated for policy makers to allocate more resources into social interventions. “I firmly believe that we are going to seriously dent or halt the moral fabric of society if we do not consider the importance of investments in social programmes.”

Participants expressed their personal delight and gratitude in the implementation of such a programme. A small business loan amount of $10,000.00 was given to each participant to start off their business venture.  The Single Mothers Entrepreneur Assistance Program has a lifecycle of 10 months.