Participants in the Koudmen Sent Lisi initiative say the programme is helping them build skills, strengthen their livelihoods and take meaningful steps toward financial independence.
The initiative, led by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) targets vulnerable households and provides training, resources, and support in areas such as agriculture and small business development.
Choiseul resident Kerina Isembert, a beneficiary of the programme’s farming component, said the assistance has been pivotal in her growth as a farmer. According to the release, Isembert said it has been “a pleasure being part of the Koudmen Sent Lisi programme,” noting that the team “helped me in so many ways by providing seedlings and other farming necessities”.
She added that the training component has been especially valuable. “Most of all, I have enjoyed and benefited significantly from the training provided,” she said. “When the case workers do their site visits to my farm, they can see firsthand what is happening and how the crops are growing. I was also able to become part of Helen’s Daughters, which will assist me more significantly in my farming.”
Vieux Fort residents Joanna and Imran Jules also highlighted the practical support they received. In the release, the couple said their experience “has been a very good one,” explaining that the programme has supported their production efforts and supplied essential equipment. “The best part was the site visits,” they said.
“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. We enjoyed everything about the project.”
SSDF Executive Director John Victorin said the programme is designed to help vulnerable individuals transition toward greater self‑reliance.
“The Koudmen Sent Lisi programme is designed to empower individuals and improve their quality of life by providing the tools, training and support needed to build sustainable livelihoods,” he stated in the release. “Our goal is to help participants move toward independence and create lasting economic opportunities for themselves and their families.”
Beneficiaries are selected from the Ministry of Equity’s Public Assistance Programme (PAP), with a focus on poverty alleviation, capacity building, and long‑term economic empowerment.
According to the release, the SSDF continues to use initiatives like Koudmen Sent Lisi to support vulnerable communities, equipping participants with the resources and confidence needed to improve their circumstances and contribute to national development.
Through initiatives like Koudmen Sent Lisi, the SSDF continues to support vulnerable communities, providing participants with the resources and confidence needed to improve their circumstances and contribute meaningfully to Saint Lucia’s development.
