 Hello and welcome to Issues and Answers, a production of the Government Information Service. I am your host for today, Geraldine Beesett-Joseph. Unity of UK St. Lucian Associations was established as a direct result of groups sharing a common purpose, coming together to achieve greater unity and simultaneously raising funds for charitable and needy causes in St. Lucia. Over the years, Unity has raised funds for both individuals and groups in St. Lucia with the aim of affecting the community in a positive way. And here today to tell us a little bit more about Unity, I am actually joined by the President of Unity, Mrs. Felicia Hippolit and her husband, Mr. Greenidge Hippolit. Thank you for joining us today. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. Great. Now, as I said, we're here to find out a little bit more about the group and the associations and everything that you guys partake in. So if we can start off at the very beginning, can you give me a little a brief history of Unity? When exactly was it actually formed? Well, it was formed in 1998 as a direct result of groups sharing a common interest. We've got within our, under the umbrella of Unity, four associations, i.e. Ancelary UK Association, Canaries UK Association, Denry Association and the Sint Lucia of London, 1963. They all fall under the umbrella of Unity. And every year we celebrate the main national events as a group. Okay. So also, could you tell me a bit about who actually are the co-founders of Unity? Well, I was then the President of Ancelary UK Association and when the group was called together, you know, it was at a meeting, all four Presidents sat at the meeting together with some of the executive members. And we decided to form the group. There was, I'm a co-founder of Unity, Mr. Hippolytes, a Founder of Unity as Chair of Canaries Association. And of course, there was, at the time, Mrs. Sylvia Quinlan-Mercier, another founder member. And we've had various others, but obviously over the years. All right. Now in my introduction, I believe you said so as well, it was that the group was actually formed with the common interest of coming together to raise funds and to do good in St Lucia. However, can you actually break that down for us and be a bit more specific? When you were coming together, what did you talk about as what would be the specific aims? What was your hopes at the time for the group? Well, at the time, when the group came together, because some associations, they were not doing as well as others. So we found there was a sense, you know, in the market to bring everyone together, to celebrate the main independence, to generate sufficient funds, to assist the underprivileged people on the island, as well as institutions where all can benefit. But primarily it was initially it was agreed that we would try and save as much as we possibly could to purchase a St Lucia house in the United Kingdom through our fundraising events. Have you been able to do that so far? It's been very difficult with the diversity of the market. And of course, you know, when you get a lot of requests, St Lucia, as we know, is subject to hurricanes. Of course, a lot of our funds then gets depleted through providing assistance. So it hasn't happened. But we haven't dismissed it. Very good. Very good. Just keep on keeping on. Okay, so now unity is actually a unified linkage, if I can call it that. As you were saying, of the different UK solution associations, what are the other ones that fall under that part? You mentioned those, it's just those ones that you mentioned, or are there more that come under the umbrella? There are other groups, but within unity, they've got to seem to be registered as a charity. Oh, okay. But there are other groups providing on hand assistance when unity is laying on the big events. Okay, all right. I understand. Now, also a lot of the associations I notice are formed a specific village or town within St Lucia. When unity is actually raising funds and doing their work and such like, is it a case of these specific groups are the ones that really facilitate their area? Or is it a case of that is the whole group that actually comes in to do some stuff there? Well, the whole group comes together. But at the end of the event, you know, whatever net proceeds comes together, then unity makes a grant to each association, to each member association to further their aims and objectives, i.e. to assist to help their villages. And of course, we also extend helping hands to areas where they haven't gotten established. Right, right. Because that was something I was going to ask, how is it that you actually even, I'm sure you don't wait for something to happen to say you're coming in to the hand. So how do you actually decide what the different causes you are going to actually be a part of and try and raise funds for? How do you actually decide on that? Well, initially, what would happen? I mean, because we have a budget in place, you know, and of course, before even some, in most cases, before the event takes place, we're already inundated with our proposals. So obviously, after the event, the group will meet, then they'll prioritize the worthy cases, the urgent cases, and they will deal with that. But at the same time, we do not forget the institutions where everyone will benefit, i.e. we don't need to understand pollution, blind and welfare, the sickle cell associations, that's the sort of thing that likes. Okay. One thing you must understand, when we say unity and bringing the groups together, at that point, we are unity. When we're doing that independence, we're not the little village like Canaries, Zansleria, or Carthage. We are Saint Lucians. That's what the point, unity don't mean, because we came together as a group, let's say five associates, previously Grossley was a member. But for some reason, membership dwindled, and they no longer, but however, when we say we are having independence, it's not for the four group associations, it's for a national event. And so therefore, the funds from that event is for national, whether you go to Viewford, Souffre, Dennery, that's related. Okay. Canaries is Canaries, and therefore we deal with Canaries matter, other than the Canaries UK associations. Okay, okay. But when we get together as a group, unity, fundraising dance, independent, is for Saint Lucian. Okay. Yeah, okay, all right, brilliant. Now I know I want to touch on also some of the activities that you have had and maybe some of the parties that you've actually raised funds for, but we're going to go to have a little commercial break. And when we get back, we'll discuss those. Okay, we'll be back in a moment. Hey, look at your breastfeeding. I give him both just now, but I don't think I can breastfeed. Why won't you breastfeed? The thing is, my breasts are so small. I don't think I will have enough milk for my baby. My dear, you can breastfeed. The size of your breasts does not matter. The more the baby sucks on your breasts, the more milk your breasts will make. People say your breasts will fall when you breastfeed. I don't want mine to fall. Eventually, all breasts will fall. Once you wear a supportive bra, it will help maintain the muscles of your breasts while you breastfeed. Breast milk is very important for your baby's health. It is complete nutrition for your baby with the right nutrients. I did a lot of reading whilst I was pregnant and found out a lot of good things about breastfeeding. Really? Like what? You will lose the baby far much easier when you breastfeed. The baby is more intelligent and the baby gets sick less. It is also cheaper and practical since you wouldn't have to buy artificial milk or boil bottles. Breastfeeding does all that. Now you make me want to breastfeed. I want my baby to be healthy and smart. There's more. In addition, I save a lot of money from not having to buy formula. Do you know how expensive formula is? No formula. How is that possible? The baby will go hungry. No. The breasts is adequate for the baby's need from both to six months. The baby needs no other foods or liquids during that period. Is that so? My sister had a baby last year and my granny insisted she give the baby two Roma and she was only three months. Nothing before six months. The nutritionist will guide you on how to introduce foods to the baby. Wow. I learnt a lot. I had no idea breastfeeding was that important. Yes it is. Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your baby. Do it and you will see. You will also bond with your baby. I will, my girl. Nice talking to you. I'm happy to hear that. Also encourage your friends and family too. Welcome back to Issues and Answers. I am Jolyne Visset-Joseph and today we are joined by representatives from Unity UK in the form of Mrs Felicia Hippolit and also Mr Greenidge Hippolit. Now before we went to the commercial break, I was saying that I just wanted to ask you a bit about the causes that you've actually supported over the years. So can you give people some insight into the different causes that you actually supported? We've been supporting various causes across the island and not just in St. Lucia, in the UK as well. For example, the View for Children Society when they were building, trying to erect a building to house a home for the abused children, Unity gave a substantial amount towards that project. The Sickle Cell Society, we again, we've done sponsored walks in order to raise funds for that and a substantial amount has been sent, donated to them. Of course, as I've mentioned before, the St. Lucia Blind and Welfare, they too have benefited from Unity's fundraising. The family home, the Holy Family children's home. Again, this is a prime example where Unity have put funds in. Youth in Arts, we've kept it that the list goes on. It really goes on. Something, when I was told that I had to do this interview, I actually went and did some research and something that stood out to me was the fact that you've also made sure that you supported individuals. I mean, there was a sporting individuals as well and stuff like that. Is it important for you to see these kind of individuals excel within society and that is why Unity is there making sure that they allow this to happen? Yes, because I mean, a boxer recently, he was taking part in the Olympics and he was in desperate need of funds and of course equipment to represent St. Lucia. He tried the High Commission and they referred the matter to us. Of course, this is the sort of work we do and of course, we will try and help all St. Lucia's, the youths to excel, providing of course the funds within our remit. And of course, we also try and assist them with sponsorship. Even if we cannot do it ourselves, we will shop around and see where the people are able to assist. Now, I know you do a lot of fundraising activities. What kind of things do actually Unity actually do as fundraising activities? We host all the main national events, i.e., we talked about the independent stands, Jule Quayol, the national day. In fact, we've got a national day celebration coming up on the 14th of December. And also, the community gets together around about the 13th because it's a central Tuesday. And we do the flag raising ceremony with another group. Unity collaborates with another group and that's being hosted. And we generally get a good turnout where the community all gets together. So although they're absent from this country, they're still got their culture. I keep the flame burning as it works. Is it always a case of you only host activities in the UK though, or sometimes you actually host activities here? We did once when I was the president of Ancillary Association. We came to deliver a bus to the village. This is going back in the year 2000. And of course, we hosted a very big event, i.e., a dance. And they said never in seclusion history have they heard people turn money away from the door because there were so many. We had so many people there. That's brilliant. Okay, you ever thought of doing something like that again? Well, I'm not going to dismiss the idea. We also have done that in the UK. We delivered millions to Canaries in 1964. We delivered millions to Canaries. And we had a big function in Hilda Highway. I don't know if you know that. Yes, we had a great big dance there. We made quite a bit of money. And then it's a barter area. We had a big dance there as well. We managed to raise quite a bit of $15,000 dollars and leave it in the village for them to help the children, students, children. And we also take children educational tour around the island. Doing all this used to be a yearly thing. Just the other day, she presented a check for the best achievers, you can say. All the students in the village of Ancillary. Okay. Because although I've relinquished my role as chair of Ancillary Association, because obviously, you know, due to commitments on the D'Ombre Law of Unity. But however, I have still maintained my membership. And of course, from time to time, if I'm traveling here, you know, they will ask me to act on their behalf by doing some formal presentations. And it was last Sunday I was able to present some Commonwealth children who had achieved in the Common Entrance exams with the Certificate of Achievement and some Monetary Funds as well. Although we are based in the U.K., but this country really is our home. In you saying that, and something that came to mind when Mr. Hipley was talking about the bus in the 1960s, something else I read about was the fact that when the Association, the London one, was first established, it was really to help people who had gone over to England. Yeah, right. And now it's actually become a place, you know, something for giving back. It's 56 years old. And most of the politicians learn their trade. The other thing I wanted to say, we spoke about unity and we also spoke about the different groups in unity. Unity is doing like two or three events. Well, you don't forget, the other groups now is doing their own thing at the same time. They raise funds for their own district. People from all over St. Lucia, well, all over in the U.K. that's St. Lucia, you know, or other people, other islands will come and give it up. So, but these funds we know isn't back to go to Canaries. Yeah. However, we'll help other villages if it comes to it, like there's a disaster, they ask for it, we'll do it. Okay. So, we're still doing our own event. Like for instance, you won't be living in the U.K. this year. We actually have about seven Junique all event. Wow. Okay. And that's Lucian only. We're not talking about the U.K. So Lucian, seven. That's brilliant. That's a lot. Yeah. Yeah. That's very good. That's very good. Yeah. Okay. Doing very well. Okay. But it's time for commercial breaks. So just stay with me for a little while and we'll be back in a short moment. Okay. The children, how will we say the chemicals and GMO's are not the solution? Use organic and join excessive agrochemical use, additives and genetically modified foods are harmful to health and the environment. Join the good food revolution, grow, buy and consume organic. A message from Rise St. Lucia and the Ministry of Sustainable Development with funding from the GEF Small Grants Program, UNDP. Welcome back to Issues and Answers. I am Jolene B. Seth Joseph. Now, something else I wanted to touch on because we were talking about again the linkage between England and St. Lucia. I understand that the group also plays a big part in making sure that people are kept abreast of anything that happens in St. Lucia. The community in England is actually kept abreast of anything that happens here. How does that actually work? Is it a case of, I don't know, that the groups here, the associations here make sure that word always gets back if anything takes place that people should know about that. Seth, we've set up our own local committees in the villages. Those, of course, that comes under, for instance, we've got ancillary association. They've got a local committee. Canaries have got a local committee. They do keep us, the main organizations abreast of what's going on within the village. The demands that are being made, requests and so on. Of course, matters pertaining to St. Lucia. We learn about it all in social media. No problems. What other activities does Unity actually take part in, in regards to anything else that you guys actually touch on? Other activities. Other than what we've said, we do try to get, we host family days, where we don't just cater for the adults, we cater for all generations. In fact, over the 40th anniversary, I ensured, because obviously the various groups met at the High Commission, because we were trying to formulate a program of events for various associations and groups to undertake. One of our main events was a family day, to Bucklins, where they had all the different activities underneath one, swimming, whatever interested them. It was quite a tear-jerking thing, because you to see four generations coming together, sitting around a table, eating from the same dish, it was a sight. So the event went very well. We had 10 coaches on that day, which is a large number. You're talking about 61 seats, 53 seats, and so on. So it was a large group for Unity to undertake. Of course, we provide assistance to other countries as well, when in times of disasters, the proceeds we're talking about for the annual national day this year, we're hoping to make a contribution to the Bahamas. We've assisted, other than focusing on our own country, IE St. Lucia, we tend to help other countries in times, in terms of disaster. Dominica have benefited, and the likes. So we always go to their head. Okay, all right. Now going back to something that actually Mr Greenwich mentioned before, and that was the fact that how many unequal activities you had? You had seven, right? Seven happening in the UK. Right. And countries and slurry and orders and orders, it's like, why is there no inclusion? No, this really stands out for me, because even when I was back in the UK a few years ago, to me there wasn't as much activity as there is now. Why do you think that it has become so, I don't even know what to say, how it's so much on the forefront now to celebrate that heritage, because it really is there. Is it the fact that the associations are so closely linked now to back home, that that is now apparent? Yes, that could be the case. Plus, the St Lucia Association was the only one doing it. Okay. 63 was the only one. Then Canary started, and slurry started. Then there's a new group they call Friends of St Lucia. They started, and it's building, and this year there was another new group came in there, what's going on? Because something that they actually raised a lot of attention from is, yes, was the fact that I even saw images of friends and family taking part in the awards festivals. Yes. And that's a new one, the first one. And I tell you, in two years' time, there will be seven of these. That's very good. That's very good. That's very good. And of course, as the community is growing, they're introducing or asking for it. Can we not do this? Can we not do this for children? That is good. The reason why it's good, the old generation is dying out, and we need to encourage the new generation. No connection with St Lucia, but their parents, for instance, but they've never been, you tell them what the culture is all about, you know, and they like the dress up and all this, the song they don't understand, but let's go. Yeah, that's good. That's brilliant. So it's a learning experience for the youngsters that have come out. That's great. Yeah. And we mustn't let our culture die, you know, so we try very much. And this is one of the main focuses of the Association, is to keep our culture alive. Brilliant. Now, in saying that, if anybody's interested in becoming a part of any of the associations, how would they go about becoming a part of the association? Right. Obviously, the way it works out under the rules of the Constitution, if someone's come from Canaries, obviously, there is a Canaries Association. So we would refer them to the Canaries group. Okay. Ancillary Association, Ancillary would take it on. Centrucian Association, that's island wide. That's right. Because it doesn't matter where they come from. As long as you're connected with St Lucia, you will be accepted. Okay. That's the way we operate. But with the unity, it's sort of like, it's a body of executive officers of the various associations who sits on the board of unity. Okay. All right. And then we take the decisions and they feedback to their respective association. Okay, brilliant. That's the way it works. All right. That's great. Okay. Now, it's been a pleasure speaking with you, both of your own. It's really been wonderful. But if you had something to say to anybody out there about becoming a member and looking into unity and becoming a member of any association so that they can help give back and whatever, how would you encourage them to actually come forth? I would say we are all Lucians. There is a scope for everyone, hands on assistance always, even if you don't really want to commit yourself as a member. Providing assistance wherever you can, please contact the associations. We don't send anyone away. We are all brothers, sisters, you know, and we have to embrace each other. And that's the only way our diaspora can grow, you know. And of course, if one comes to London or whatever, found themselves in a situation where they can't cope, they've got to know that unity or the associations are there to give them the pro support that they need. We've got a high commission. Okay. Thank you so much for joining us today. We found out so much about... I'll just say something. Now that we've got a newly appointed ambassador, Dr. Fletcher, looking after the diaspora interest, I find she's a formidable woman of strong character. And the fact that she is representing the whole of the diaspora and reporting direct to the prime minister is a great asset. Okay. And for that, you know, I hope we'll be able to work in close liaison. And I'm sure she will deliver. Brilliant. Well, again, thank you for being a part of our program today. And thank you everybody out there for watching. However, it's time to say bye-bye from issues and answers. Bye-bye. Thank you. Okay. We'll just carry on talking because