 Welcome to NTN Nightly, I am Jesse Leance. This edition's top stories, Government's plans for village tourism gets a major boost from the Caricom Development Fund, rehabilitation works on the denry playing field are at an advanced stage, and the Bureau of Health Education observes a suicide prevention month. The Government of St. Lucia has signed a grant agreement with the Caricom Development Fund for the Village Tourism Incorporated Initiative. Village Tourism forms a key part of Government's plan to improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector through deliberate planning and management of the provision of tourism services at the community level. Tourism Minister Hon. Dominic Ferre says the agreement will facilitate Government in helping St. Lucia's have direct ownership in the industry. While we have broken every record in tourism, the Prime Minister and myself, we've always felt that it would mean nothing to us if our people are not brought along in that growth. And that's the point we're trying to make here today is that we, all the numbers, all the arrival growth figures would mean absolutely nothing if our people are not given a great opportunity to participate. And this whole signing indicates just that. The Caricom Development Fund CDF in November 2017 approved grant funding of 120,000 U.S. dollars for technical assistance to develop a roadmap and create an associated business plan for Phase 1 of the Village Tourism Initiative. On Thursday, 3rd September 2020, CDF Executive Director Rodinal Sumer signed the agreement for a second grant of 935,663 U.S. dollars. This grant sum will be utilized for infrastructure development. We agreed that it really makes sense for us to focus the limited resources in one key area. And it was logical that that should be tourism. We discussed the idea of Village Tourism. I know the Prime Minister was very anxious at the time to virtually run with it. But we said that, you know, why don't we work with you to help you to develop it conceptually so that we could be clear as to exactly what direction it should take, the institutional arrangements. And if you have that plan and that roadmap, it gives you a basis for mobilizing resources from other partners, not just from the CDF, but CDF would be happy to work with the government to help you to develop this and to anchor it. And this is what the grant this morning that we're going to sign will allow us to do. Executive Director of the Caricom Development Fund Rodinal Sumer. We will have more on this significant signing in a subsequent newscast. Rehabilitation works on the denry playing field are at an advanced stage of completion. Ryan O'Brien has the details to that story. Denry Sports Complex is taking shape and is expected to be completed within the coming months. That's the assessment following a tour of the venue by a delegation recently to observe progress on the rehabilitation of the facilities following the recommencement of work post-COVID-19 lockdown. We will be getting a FIFA-sized football field that is turf field, we also do some work on the cricket field as you see fencing and so on and prepare for the field in the future. We have courts that is multiple courts to be built and doing the fencing. To add the end, we want to have a pavilion, seats and everything within the denry sports complex. So we are hoping that it will accomplish that sometime October, November of this year. So as we get there, we will come back here and give everybody a rundown of what is happening. As we know at Denry, we really flood. So we had to build up the field to about two feet high by backfilling material about two feet high. Presently, we are coming to the stages of preparing to receive the turf. We have the black material you see there is a geotextile membrane and we have two layers of stones on the field for filtration. These have to be leveled to receive what you call the turf, which we are expecting actually at the turf. The people who put the turf overseas from shore will be on island within next week to start with the turf area. So we are hoping that all of these turf and so on will be here. Presently as you can see, we have stones and therefore ready to finish and put the drainage part of the field. Minister responsible for youth development and sports and parliamentary representative for Denry Salve, the Honourable Edmund Estefan lamented the delays. He was however optimistic that the completion of the project will bring some relief to the sportsmen and women of the area. It is happening slowly but surely, but at the end I think we will have a beautiful product for the people of Denry. He noted that the drainage work was part of the delays on completing the upgrade but was also satisfied that it will bring a degree of comfort to villagers who were always exposed to flooding. The flooding to keep the people safe is more important than anything and so we have to wait a little bit to get this project organized and for the two teams to work together, that is my ministry and the Ministry of Economic Development to put their heads together so that at the end we have a community that will get what it deserves. Newly appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Caroline Eugene also told the facility to observe the scope of works being undertaken at the Denry Sports Complex. I can see within Denry and the surrounding that the young people will benefit largely from this. With such a facility in place, they don't have to go too far, they can stay out of trouble so I can see that Avenue has been very constructive and very productive for the young people especially within the community and its environments. The Denry Sports Complex is part of Government Sporting Facility Rehabilitation Initiative which is aimed at improving sporting infrastructure on the island. From the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, I'm Ryan O'Brien. The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, South CC and the Taiwan ICDF-ICT in Educational Development Project are collaborating to provide training in online instruction for teachers in St. Lucia and across the region. This is in recognition of the growing need to develop capacity in technology-enabled instruction among practitioners in the education system and as a response to emerging trends in digital education and online learning. More from Lisa Joseph. The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College's decision to pivot to online learning with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forms part of the institution's strategic plan to play a major role in the remodeling of the education sector locally and regionally. The college has launched the SA-LCCA Learning Summer Academy for Educators. The course comprises of seven modules which includes practical components such as video production and animation to help develop educational content. Participants are also exposed to the concepts of cyber security, internet responsibility, copyright licensing and assessment tools. Education technology specialist at the college, Royston Emmanuel, says the academy is also a platform for teachers to collaborate and share techniques. The concept is focused on two critical areas that is needed in education. One, an understanding of the pedagogical practices that inform ICT integration. For a long time we've been asking teachers to integrate. We show them the tools and we expect them to step into the classroom and what do they do? They do the same things that they do in the traditional sense and we were saying no. Whether teachers are trained, whether they have degrees, they need to revisit the pedagogies and the modalities that they use and we work them so that the students are able to experience teaching in a way that connects them, not only to what the teacher is saying but to others to help them connect to their experiences. The SA-LCCA Learning Summer Academy for Educators is being supported by the government of the Republic of China Taiwan through the ICT in education program. Ambassador, his Excellency Peter Chen, pledged Taiwan's continued commitment to helping Senusia build a competitive education sector. COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge to every country and industry, including education. It has told us a lesson that the capability of a safe use and incorporate ICT into education has become a basic requirement not only for students but also for educators. Hence, I believe it is fair to say that the E-Learning Academy for Educators certificate program is a solid support to the Senusia's education system in the right way and in the right time. Chairman of the Board of Governors, John Kallick says there's concrete evidence that ICT in education improves student learning and better teaching methods. The SA-LCCE Learning Academy for Educators is designed as a response to emerging trends in digital education and online learning. The program targets teachers in diverse contexts, that is primary and secondary school education, post-secondary and vocational education, and workplace training. Our reach has expanded beyond the shores of Senusia, making the college a leader in the online training for educators in the OECS. This is certainly an exciting time for the college and the Board is cognizant of numerous opportunities that present itself and for which we must take full advantage. Education Minister Hon. Dr. Gail Rigabet lauded the SA-LCCE College for contributing to the modernization of education in St. Lucia and the region. E-Education, she says, has several intertwining components. Equipping our educators with the know-how for leveraging the technology in the classroom for the benefit of our students. Another component is equipping our students with the hardware so that they can participate meaningfully in the pedagogy. There are other components such as ensuring that there is the necessary hardware and of course the much-spoken of internet connection and reliable bandwidth broadband and connectivity, all of which we owe our thanks to you, the people and government of Taiwan. A check presentation was made by the Taiwanese ambassador to the college to fund the e-learning summer academy. 184 teachers are currently enrolled in the summer program, which began on August 4th and runs until November 2020. The course is being facilitated by lecturers of the SA-LCCE College. From the Government Information Service, Lisa Joseph reporting. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shasne has confirmed that the e-books program will resume in the new academic year. Piloted in 13 schools in February, the ICT in education project hit a snag when schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic just weeks later. While the e-books were initially introduced to Form 3 students, Hon. Shasne assures that the program will be expanded this term. He reiterated the benefits of transitioning to electronic learning devices in the classroom. It means that those young girls, I saw one, is no longer going to have to carry a big heavy bag full of books because all of your books actually will be downloaded on this new e-book device. And what's exciting, any new editions for the parents that are here, any new editions are automatically downloaded and updated on your e-book. So this idea of having to buy a set of books this year in hopes that you can keep them for your child in a couple of years and then finding out there's new editions, that's a thing of the past. The new program will be supported by downloadable lessons, infographics, internet links and installed textbooks for students that are all aligned with the CSEC syllabus. Teachers will also have increased capabilities in tracking student progress. The e-book actually has software programs in it to help the teachers. So the teacher is actually now going to know how much time you spent reading a chapter. The teacher is actually going to know whether you did your homework or not. And with the e-book, when you communicate to your teacher and she or he communicates back to you, that becomes a permanent record. Teachers have already undergone training to use the devices in the classroom. The e-book initiative replaces the one laptop per child program which ended in 2017. The Bureau of Health Education continues its mental health awareness activities into September, Suicide Prevention Month. This week, it released a public service announcement to encourage the use of the National Helpline 203 for crisis intervention. Here's Rajavar Alharnes. According to the Pan American Health Organization PAHO, mental health problems are the single largest cause of disabilities. Some of the major disabilities are depression, anxiety, dementia and alcohol abuse. PAHO stresses the importance of prevention and early detection of mental health issues. As such, the Bureau of Health Education continues to promote the National Helpline 203 for residents who need support to overcome challenging mental and emotional issues. It's the latest project, an artistic public service announcement. The anxieties, the worries, open up to possibilities. Don't give up on yourself, instead reach out for help. Perhaps it's time to reach out to someone, call the Health Helpline 203 toll free anytime to speak to a professional. Individuals in distress are encouraged to call in to get counseling. The 203 hotline that we've been speaking to that a number of people just consider to be a suicide hotline. It's really a health helpline where persons who are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with an emotional issue, they can get a listening ear and can be directed to certain services where they can get the assistance. A lot of people will not have thoughts to hurt themselves or to end their life, but they have feelings of overwhelming feelings. They have persistent issues with their level of motivation and they feel like they need somebody who's professional to talk to or to be able to access some counseling. They don't have the monies. The National Helpline number 203 is a free and confidential service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Bureau of Health Education's latest project coincides with Suicide Prevention Month observances in September, geared at raising awareness of suicide and advocating the prevention and early detection of mental health issues. From the Government Information Service, Rog Varo-Lorens reporting. All applicants to the Saotha Lewis Community College, South CC, who have been offered a place at the institution for the academic year 2020-2021, are asked to return their acceptance slips by Friday, September 4th, 2020. Applicants are to respond via email. Applicants who have not received responses are assured that they will receive one shortly as responses continue to be processed. An orientation for all incoming students will take place on Monday, 7th September, 2020. Students are asked to continue to monitor their emails and the college's social media pages for further details on the orientation. Online classes officially begin on September 21st. Up next, we have Primus Hutchinson with the NTN Novella Quayall. In an effort to ensure patient and first responder safety, the St. Lucia Fire Service has reviewed its patient transfer procedures, especially for patients with respiratory distress. Face masks will be provided. At no time during transportation should the face mask be removed. Please be patient and cooperative during this time to ensure you receive the best possible care while keeping our first responders safe. Welcome back. We now join Primus Hutchinson for the NTN Novella Quayall. Students are asked to continue to monitor their emails and the college's social media pages for further details on the orientation. We will now move on to Primus Hutchinson. Students are asked to continue to monitor their emails and the college's social media pages for further details on the orientation. The NTN Novella Quayall has reviewed its patient transfer procedures for further details on the orientation. Students are asked to continue to monitor their emails and the college's social media pages for further details on the orientation. The NTN Novella Quayall has reviewed its patient transfer procedures for further details on the orientation. Please be patient and cooperative during this time to ensure you receive the best possible care while not barred from the school. aid a pill, a vorage, and a cast iron. I would also like to thank the representative of the parliament for making it possible to have the support of the protection of COVID-19 patients with mask, sanitizer, and a lot. Madam Jody Chastney, who is also the head of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, also presented his students who have not paid for his school salary, bagged school, and a lot of articles to help the institution and their way forward during the school year. The main purpose of this project is to organize local, that is, local farmers' markets. This is an activity for one's publicity, for people who are engaged in the production of agricultural products here. Agricultural activities that follow and encourage advice for the public here, buy local food and eat local food. Activities are organized by the government here, and assistance and collaboration by the government of Taiwan. These initiatives are of great support, particularly for women who are engaged in agricultural production. The representative of the parliament, Mr. Ndmiku Oniwab, Dr. Gail Rigobot, welcomes the initiative of the Salah. He says that it is a pleasure for the farmers to participate in this project, it is so different from the way it is done, and it is a pleasure to have the support of the Salah. Oniwab, Dr. Rigobot, by the government, continues to assist and work in agricultural farming, to help the people who are engaged in the production of local food. The agricultural officer, Kema Prophet, says that it is a pleasure for the people who are engaged in the production of local food, to have the support of the people who are engaged in the production of local food, and to continue to work in the production of local food. The work that has continued to transform the Victoria Hospital into a facility to treat the sick people. The transformation of the Salah began after the government opened the Owen King Hospital Hospital in mid-March 2020. The Ministry of Health, Mary Isaac, said that the transformation of the Salah cost the government a lot, but the government made a commitment to make sure that the construction of the hospital was finished, because it has already played a very important role, with the role of playing a very important role, an effort to continue to fight against, well, it has been a fight against COVID-19, a plan that has already been made to transform the Victoria Hospital into a polyclinic, so that you can find a way to treat the COVID-19. But the Ministry of Health said that the operation of the Victoria Hospital could also serve to treat the problems of the treatment and start the operation completely in the late September. There was also a clinic to address the treatment. This is a polyclinic in Godzilla, Wellness Center in La Claree, the Denver Hospital, Wellness Center in Vie Four, and the Sofia Hospital. The Denver Hospital, and Sofia Hospital, and La Claree Hospital, and the Center Vie Four, are available to the people who are waiting for the surgery. The service polyclinic in Godzilla is available to the people who are waiting for the surgery, and the people who are waiting for the surgery to come to Sofia, and then visit the hospital. Next, we will talk about the novel. We will talk about it later. We will talk about the invitation. Next, we will talk about the novel. Next, we will talk about the novel. Next, we will talk about the novel. Jesse. Messy appeal primus. Well, that brings us to the end of the NTN and Knightly. Join us next time at 7 p.m. with a repeat at 7 a.m. You can also catch up with us any time on the Government of St. Lucia Facebook page or the YouTube channel. I'm Jesse Leon signing off for now, but do stay tuned for more NTN programming.