 Welcome to Nation Beat. I am Janelle Norville with your final information briefing this week from the Government Information Service. St Lucia looks to tap into the tourism conference niche market. 14 U.S. buyers are presently exploring the island. 13 U.S. Peace Corps volunteers have committed themselves to service in St Lucia. Caribbean Wellness Day underscores the importance of healthy lifestyles and lambargarite celebrations to begin soon. The St Lucia Tourism Authority SLTA is hosting its first meetings, incentives and corporate events, which is referred to as mice in the tourism industry. It is a niche area of tourism that is focused around the planning and booking of groups for large events, conferences and seminars. 14 mice buyers from the U.S. are presently on island visiting hotels and attractions on behalf of their clients. The SLTA contracted Connect, an Atlanta-based company to help select the buyers who met set criteria. Each buyer represents a unique group seeking a destination with venues matching their clients' interests for 2019 and 2020. A network in breakfast held at Harbour Club on Friday with local destination management companies and staff of the SLTA got the event of the great start. The trip, which is the first of its kind, is expected to last a period of four days. SLTA's Director of Marketing for the USA, Kelly Fontenelle Clark, highlighted the importance of such an initiative. This is very important to us, especially now we have few more nights of the ride. We have more with us, we have two tours, one to the centre, all of the buyers. This is the very first time to send a shirt, the two of them is the very first time to go anywhere. So this is phenomenal for us to bring those buyers to meet our local client and DFCs. So they can network, know what destination has to offer, know what centre has to offer, they can send a shirt and then insert, go back and send a shirt. Some of the companies represented include Conference Direct and Global Synergies. These corporate trips are strategically utilised to encourage groups to achieve a specific business goal, as incentives, or to recognise individuals within the organisation. Saint Lucia Tourism Authority's Acting CEO and Chief Marketing Officer Tiffany Howard expressed her excitement to see the initiative come to fruition. I'm very excited because not only did we get these amazing people to come here, but our DFCs have been so supportive in making sure that they have an incredible experience while they're here. For us, this is a group of people, so they literally represent the best companies, the best events that we can actually have in Saint Lucia from out of the US. So these people, that they can potentially bring from Israel between 17 and 300, so that's ideal for us here in Saint Lucia. So we're very excited about the opportunity to be here for the next few days. One of the buyers provided some insight into her trip so far. When it comes to selling to my clients, I think the first thing we see is just the beautiful, wonderful personalities. The gorgeous weather, the fantastic scenery, and that's really what it's all about. It's about those experiences that you don't get to have at home. It's just the simplicity of the island actually is what really is just most amazing to me. So far, we are just excited to be on this journey with you guys, and I'm looking forward to what's next. The SLTA has planned a park schedule for the mice group, enabling them to visit some properties and to experience a few of the fun things to do on island. With the regional data giving evidence to tourism continuing to be the main pillar of economic growth within OICS member states, Saint Lucia is embarking on a landmark skills training initiative set to equip over 100 young people with the qualifications needed to excel within the hospitality industry. The initiative is a collaboration between Monroe College and the National Apprenticeship Program. The program has five different modules. Some modules are created according to the interests of the people. We are providing housekeeping, food and beverage, bartending, friend office, and events planning. These are the most popular ones. Of course, culinary is also popular. We'll be doing that in the future. Right now, we are focusing on this. So students, according to their skill, according to their interests, they will select one of these modules and we'll train them, but of course we will also give them a total global outlook of what this industry is all about. The Senior Vice President has urged all young people to take advantage of the educational and career based opportunity. The program includes theoretical, practical, and also internship component. We will also arrange for them to set up interviews with the cruise lines, with the hoteliers. We are going to partner with everybody and the government of Saint Lucia is going to work with us to arrange all these things. The focus is the young people come out of the street, use their skill, learn their skill, and go and get jobs, change their lives, and become enrolled citizens. Twenty trainees in the US Peace Corps have committed themselves to serve in the fields of education, community development, agriculture, youth development, small business development, and health education. The Peace Corps is a wondrous thing. What makes it so special, so wondrous? First, it's mission, world peace, and friendship. Always, always so relevant and important in our world. A beacon of hope, fostering connections rather than divisions between people, honoring and respecting diversity rather than fearing it. Built on the powerful recognition that what we have in common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us. Secondly, Peace Corps only goes where host governments invite us to serve. We thank the government of Saint Lucia for inviting us over 57 years ago to come serve in this beautiful island nation. And as well, we thank the governments of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica for doing the same 51 years ago. I am particularly pleased to see from the list of schools on the program that many of the schools where our volunteers will soon are from outside of the city circuits and so the volunteers are forced to receive real Saint Lucia cultural experiences. And it is not watered down by city life. I hope you take advantage of that to get involved and to participate in the activities in the communities where they are placed and to become part of the school life. The Junique Hall, the birthday celebration, the reading month, the mathematics month, okay? The education for the democratic citizenship, participate in those things. La wars. La wars. Thank you, Your Excellency. La wars. And la marguerite. Thank you, Your Excellency. Of the 20 trainees who were sworn in on Friday, 13 will be stationed in Saint Lucia and 7 in Saint Vincent. First, I would like to say congratulations to the new group of soon-to-be volunteers on this important day of yours wearing in. It has been a long tradition for the United States Ambassador to administer the oath of office to the new Peace Corps volunteers as they begin their service in country. It is truly a special honor to know that after this ceremony you will go out into the local community and contribute to building a better Caribbean, which while also fostering stronger relations with the United States. I am incredibly happy for you and proud of you for your dedication and the fact that you've given up two years of your life to a most noble endeavor. I have to say that as the American Ambassador, I am very proud and honored to serve my country, but I can't be everywhere at all times. So I look to you and to the current Peace Corps volunteers, to be the ambassadors in your communities and parishes, to be the ones who represent the United States, to be the face of the United States, to show people what America is all about. It's important for people to build those relationships so that we have incredible bilateral relations, not only with St. Lucia, St. Vincent, but with the world, and for us to be able to demonstrate our commitment to the basic principles and ideals that America stands for. Efforts to expand St. Lucia's agricultural exports are yielding desired results. Exports in Lucia has penetrated the U.S. market with the first shipment of breadfruit to Miami. Perino's exports, a St. Lucia exporter with guidance and assistance from Exports in Lucia, TIPA, successfully exported the test shipment of breadfruit to Miami, Florida in the U.S. on August 28th, 2018. This success is directly attributed to a workshop held in July of this year. Exports in Lucia hosted an exporting to the USA workshop at the Finance Administrative Center in Kehas Trees. Participants benefited from one-on-one sessions with industry experts in areas such as packaging, labeling, and other product specifications tailored for U.S. market entry. Over the last few years, it has been recognized that the demands for produce has grown significantly in foreign markets, and this latest success is also testament to the MOU sign between Exports in Lucia and the Department of Agriculture. The efforts of Exports in Lucia, coupled with the tenacity of a local exporter and the interest and persistence of a United States buyer, has ripped dividends of this workshop in quite time. Mr. Emery Downey of Thorough Imports during the last week of August received 500 kilograms of breadfruit from St. Lucia, a much coveted fruit in the USA. This test shipment has passed with flying colors, much to the delight of all involved. Thank you to the trade export agency of St. Lucia, TIPA, it was a huge success, buyers were more, shipment went better than expected. I'm going to ship as much as I can and tell you guys when out of it. Everyone here was very happy and I'm getting phone calls all day about more. So keep it up and I'm going to look forward to seeing you guys soon and thanks again. Perino's Exports has expressed tremendous thanks towards Exports in Lucia for the various avenues of help that have been derived as a result of the partnership. The company revealed that prior to the services offered by Exports in Lucia, the business which started in 1992 experienced a number of challenges before it could even get off the ground. Since they were directly involved with exporting, generally for St. Lucia, I find that was a good opportunity to find out what their work entails and how could they assist us in better, able to export more produce from St. Lucia. I have gained a contact in the US and I did a more or less trial shipment and the result was very good. So I'm hoping that TIPA and I can develop a greater relationship where more produce can be exported to the US, which is the most difficult market for us. While geographically close, St. Lucia's exports to the United States have remained low. The major exporters are in condiments and fresh agricultural produce. Very few St. Lucia exporters meet the requirements needed to enter the US market. Furthermore, even fewer can meet the marketing revenues needed to sustain market entry. With this test shipment, the staff of Exports in Lucia basically went through the entire stages from contacting the distributor to finding the shipping logistics, the actual freight weight, the cost. Everything was basically done and recorded in-house. Officials of Exports in Lucia, TIPA reiterated the agency's commitment to the expansion of exports in markets such as the US as it continues to chart a course with its mandate to increase the aggregate volume and quality of exports coming from St. Lucia. For Exports in Lucia, TIPA, Jason Diary was reporting. Prison officers from the BVI formed part of the escort from the beginning to completion of the prisoner's journey. A total of 21 inmates were conveyed to St. Lucia from the BVI due to extensive damage to the prison by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The first repatriation exercise on August 16, 2018 was carried out seamlessly, much like Thursdays. The government also in Lucia has been commended for its humanitarian gesture towards the BVI in the aftermath of the catastrophic Hurricane Irma. Leaders of faith-based organizations from around the island met Friday to discuss matters related to the policy for faith-based organizations. The policy seeks to regulate, support and monitor all aspects of the relationship between government and faith-based organizations. Today's purpose is to actually review that policy document. It is mandated within the document itself that the ministry with responsibility for faith-based organizations convene a national stakeholder consultation where we will hear the prevailing issues surrounding the faith-based organizations affairs, the climate of the day. And we do appreciate that there are several dynamics and several changing issues that would be brought into focus today. And coming out of that we would have some guidance as to what do the faith-based leaders want to see revised in that policy document. One of the main purposes for this meeting today is to elect representatives to sit on a nine-member policy advisory committee. So the way forward is the policy advisory committee is going to be having in-house closed sessions to continue the discussions for what the revision should be in that policy document. And then we come back to a second national stakeholder consultation where we're going to present a first draft of that revised policy. This is Nation Deed. SLASPA holds its annual scholarship program and La Margarite celebrations to begin soon. Details are coming up next. Everyone is at risk for getting a foodborne illness. While most foodborne illness cases are mild and go unreported, long-term health complications and even deaths can occur from a foodborne illness. Foodborne illnesses are caused by contamination of food at any stage of preparation. If you are a food handler involved in home-based food production, meat, fish, chicken or a big shop, as a food vendor, how you prepare food can put your customers at risk. Do you know the risks and how to avoid them? The San Lusia Bureau of Standards can help you. For more information, contact the San Lusia Bureau of Standards at 456-0546 or email SLBS at candw.lc or visit the website at www.slbs.org.lc. San Lusia Bureau of Standards, making quality and standards our way of life. Small household electrical appliances when faulty can give rise to big problems. If you have just purchased a small appliance from a store and you are concerned about the safety of the item, or an appliance has been at home for some time subjected to wear and tear from regular usage, have it tested by the San Lusia Bureau of Standards. It is better to be safe than sorry. For more information, contact the San Lusia Bureau of Standards at 456-0546 or email SLBS at candw.lc or visit the website at www.slbs.org.lc. San Lusia Bureau of Standards, making quality and standards our way of life. Welcome back. Scholarships covering expenses for the academic lives of the children of employees at the San Lusia Air and Seaport Authority have been handed out. Anise Antoine reports on the award ceremony. The San Lusia Air and Seaport Authority, SLASPA, has provided financial assistance to children of their employees through their annual scholarship program. The awarding ceremony was held on Thursday, September 7, 2018. The beneficiaries were chosen based on the 2018 results for the common entrance and Caribbean Examination Council CXC examinations. We have guarded here not just to celebrate the achievements of our students, but to give due regard to our values and morals which awards exemplify like discipline, compassion and zeal for learning. For the past 20 years, the San Lusia Air and Seaport Authority have recognized outstanding students for their hard work and dedication. This is a very important event as the authority has seen the need to encourage youthful progress and education of our employees' children. As such, it has seen the need to develop a policy that rewards the top five performers of an employee's children at the island's common entrance exam with an annual scholarship. The San Lusia Air and Seaport Authority has been recognizing students who have excelled in the academic studies. To date, 132 students have benefited from the SLASPA scholarship program. This scholarship has motivated me to maintain or even go beyond my standard of academic performance, as I felt that I only did not have to make myself and my parents proud, but also this organization. It really is a privilege to hold a scholarship awarded by SLASPA. I would like you to utilize this prestigious opportunity as an incentive to be determined and persevered in your studies so that you can retain this benefit during your tenure at your various schools. I strongly believe maintaining good grades and being a model student is the best way I can continue to express appreciation and gratitude to SLASPA for this great act of kindness. This gift from SLASPA reminds me of one light my parents always repeated to us, hard and honest with pays. This scholarship is certainly a living testimony to that fact. Considering I am among a number of other scholarship recipients, let me take this opportunity on their behalf to express profound gratitude to the San Lusia Air and Seaport Authority for the valuable support extended to us. We will try our best to make ourselves, our parents and you, SLASPA proud. This year, a total of seven new students will be receiving financial aid for the duration of their tenure at the secondary and tertiary levels. From the Government Information Service, I am Anisia Antoine reporting. Saint Lucia will join the rest of the region in Observing Caribbean Wellness Day, celebrated annually on the 2nd Saturday of September. Miguel Moristet reports. This is the 11th time that Saint Lucia will be observing Caribbean Wellness Day since its inauguration in September 2007. This annual observance provides an opportunity to increase awareness and sensitize the public of the social and economic impact of non-communicable diseases, NCD. As part of this year's observance, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will play its part by hosting several activities. Dr. Shana Serifil, but is the NCD focal point. This year, we are doing things a little bit differently and we are so happy to announce that we are actually going to start off things on the 9th of September at the Odson Pentecostal Church. We are going to have a shared service. Of course we know that mental health is no different from the rest of the health. We are focusing on the whole person. So we want people to of course get back to basics. We are inviting all our stakeholders, Ministry of Health personnel to the shared service where we will actually put God first as we celebrate Caribbean Wellness Day. And after that, on the 10th of September, we are actually going to have our official launch of Caribbean Wellness Day. That will take place at Sanders Grand. That will include Ministry of Health staff, but also we will be looking at all those persons, NGOs included, business places, all those people who have contributed to making NCDs their business, who have actually done something. So we are actually going to be honoring them. We are going to be giving gifts and so on at that launching. And we are also going to be letting people know about what other activities we are going to be having at that official launch. Ministry officials are calling on every man, woman and child to play their part by engaging in physical activities, healthy eating and the elimination of tobacco use to reduce the risk factors associated with NCDs. The 2018 theme for Caribbean Wellness Day is Be Healthy, Stay Healthy, It's Your Job. From the Communications Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Miguel Morissette reporting. The St. Lucia Alzheimer's and dementia association is urging the citizenry of St. Lucia to find out more about the condition and to seek medical advice immediately if unsure as to whether the disease could be affecting themselves or family member. The president of the association notes that the brain changes as we age. Most of us eventually notice some slow thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing. There are symptoms and as we age our brain slows down but that doesn't mean it stops. So when we are having little problems with forgetting, we usually remember later. If we are not forgetting at all, I mean if we are forgetting and not remembering at all, then that's a huge symptom. Things that we normally do. For instance, when we are older, we still cook and do certain things in the kitchen, make certain meals. If we are starting to skip ingredients, then there is a problem even at 65 and older because that's something we just don't normally, that's an automatic memory. At an advanced stage, the disease causes mood and behavior changes, deepening confusion about events, time and place, and founded suspicions about family, friends and caregivers. It can also lead to difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking. Before symptoms with this stage, it is advised that medical help is sought. Go to the doctor and be tested because there's a lot of symptoms of dementia that mimic the disease. But things like vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalances, all of those can contribute to the same type of symptoms. The challenge with that is if you leave it alone, even stress can cause that. If you leave it alone and let it fester and it just builds up and builds up, then it can develop into a type of dementia. World Alzheimer Month is recognized during the month of September, while World Alzheimer's Day falls on September 21. St. Lucian's can look forward to Quail Market and La Marguerite Fire Festival as part of Creole Heritage Month. The Cultural Development Foundation's CDF will spearhead the two events during Creole Heritage Month. Details of the events were unveiled at a press briefing hosted by the CDF. Of the sales that will be staged, and of course we will include the traditional dance, a parade, and we are happy to have the Cassry's Conspiracy Council as one of our collaborators. And of course, as you may have heard, we're trying to bring agencies together so that we can all work together to achieve the same goal. And of course, the Fed Day, which has the school's component, and a church service. It begins with a church service. This year, La Marguerite will be held in Larisus. And of course, the presentations by the groups. In an effort to keep in line with the tradition, La Marguerite cuisine will also be available. Another component of Creole Heritage Month, Quail Market, will be held at the Rodney Bay Strip. And this event will be held for two days, the 25th and 26th of October. It will start from morning and go on into the evening. It is really about authentic Saint Lucian products, not made in China. Things that Saint Lucian designers, crafters, and these products will be on sale for two days. So this is a place where you will see the demonstration of how, let's say, the coal port is made. This is a place where you can pick up your madras shoots, your scouts, seamstresses will be there available. So this is our... The theme for Creole Heritage Month is Discover Saint Lucia, Discover Yourself. And that's Nation Beat. Join us next time as we fill the pulse and heart of our community. I am General Norville.