 Hello and welcome to another episode of Stepping Up, where we explore the world of innovation, creativity and advocacy to aspire to greater and new things. I'm your host, Daniel Dubois. This week we focus on the creative industries and how one governmental organization is stepping up to ensure that their mandate is fulfilled for 2020 and how the dream of one entrepreneur snowballed into creating a platform for more entrepreneurs to get access to support, training and resources. Rolling up, we head to Martinique to chat with our Consul-General. In this episode, we head to the cultural and entertainment headquarters at Baden Hill to chat with Ms. Drenia Federick, Director of Events at the Cultural Development Foundation. CDF is embarking on an exciting journey of discovery and innovation around the National Arts Festival dubbed, Art Reach Virtual. In light of the health protocols posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDF found innovative ways of presenting the arts and culture to its diverse audience. Let's start the show as Drenia Federick tells us more. Today we chat with Director of Events, Ms. Drenia Federick. And I am very excited for this interview because Ms. Federick is very dear to my heart. I know her in a personal capacity. She basically trained me theatrically for almost all my life. So I'm really, I would say, humbled to be having to chat with her in this capacity. Drenia Federick, hello, how are you? I'm fine, thank you. Thank you, Daniel. Thank you for having me here today. And thank you for having me come to talk about CDF's programs. We wanted to talk to CDF because I know you guys have an exciting program rolling out very soon. And I think it's important, especially because stepping up, we focus on what agencies, governmental agencies are doing despite the pandemic to still continue to work and push their mandate. So let us know what you guys are working on. Well, CDF's strategy is really about outreach and reaching out to solutions and the solution community to bring in artistic content and our heritage to life and have in-person focus on that and appreciate that. This social distance in the advent of that COVID-19, we have fast tracked a program that we had in the pipeline for a long time. It's almost like we've hit the reset button. And it's the development, it's also to help develop the cultural sector and move along this new digital wave and to help and guide artists into a model of doing something that is different. And putting out different sorts of programs on television in terms of streaming and showing that we can in a way develop and build what we call this creative industries and orange economy and really tag on to what young people are interested in now. CDF wants to really reach out and show that it is an organization where we encourage innovation and creativity. And because of this, we've taken up the challenge of COVID-19 and ruled the waves, so to speak. And what we want to do is to bring together the elements of what has happened in terms of live events and how do you transpose that into a virtual experience that solutions can appreciate, love and let CDF be the trendset of the trailblazer in terms of other persons developing more programs like this that speak to our needs, our identity, the celebration of our culture and things that are of a high quality and high standard. And by now he must be wondering what he's talking about. And CDF will do a formal launch where we'll present ArtReach Virtual, which is really our ArtReach Program, our National Arts Festival, which would have happened around April, we would have had a theatre night, we would have had sounds of castries on the ground with poetry at Cadet Street. So what we've done, we've taken those events and we've created a new medium, sort of a new medium for allowing the public to experience it. And we will start off with the poetry show, which will be six poets that will be featured in St. Lucian Poets. Of course it will be pre-recorded and filmed and we will start next week. So you might see us around the city of Castries. I'm wondering what is CDF doing and that is what we're about. And we want to highlight and feature areas in castries as well. And it will be hosted by two young persons, persons who we think are interested in that and people will tag on too. I think I can call their names, Tracy George Pilgrim and Hanson Narciss, who's a teacher at Castries Comprehensive. And they're both involved in the arts in some way or form or fashion. And we're looking forward to that and we have a, well, the big one and a big experiment. Of course we would have put on two theatrical productions and I think the public has known CDF in terms of the quality it has produced in Scarifesta. And it's the way that it embraced young persons this year for Scarifesta, especially for our young writers Monico Guiste and Jesse Myers. And a young cast going to Scarifesta with all new persons, choreography and of course our impact in Trinidad and Tobago has been one of the contenders and a must see we got standing ovations at Queens Hall and to a full house of persons from around the region. So a CDF is known for that. So why not take that product and bring it virtually? So what we've constructed is a sort of reality television show highlighting the theatre. Most times when we watch a theatrical production, we don't understand the workings of what goes on. So this is a rare and rare and raw view of what goes on behind the scenes. The stories from the director's perspective, the stories from the actors perspective, the conflict, how the conflict has resolved, the discipline in sticking with it and the discipline of the arts itself, the discipline of understanding, this is a job that you have to do and coming together and of course so it's almost like I don't have to call it three dimensional so you have this scenario going on stage with the actors and so on and this whole process has been filmed and the whole drama behind it, let's say who comes late and the director is upset for having the rehearsal, then how is that conflict resolved? I think it's something that the institutions will enjoy and understand the inner workings of that. And our last thing is a CDF feature which will highlight the work of CDF for the past maybe 10 or 15 years where people now understand what CDF is about, what we're doing and what some of the things that we have done, some of the things that we have done in terms of preserving culture, innovation and sort of jump-starting this whole industry and CDF wants the public to know that and we want people to understand that and know that this is a place where artists can come and we encourage creativity, training, workshops in terms of all towards the advancement of the craft and towards the advancement of this new era that we're on where we're trying to define what is our creative industries. Do you think with the advent of the pandemic that you're afraid for theatre because you know especially you one of those persons who used to drill in sorry that you know the process is not complete if it's not done in front of an audience you know so you know we're losing that but then there's still so much more to gain especially as you document in the entire process. Is it still theatre and you know in your opinion what's your objective and what will be the major takeaway? It is still theatre because this time instead of a control group of let's say eight or a thousand people who can sit there and live in the moment now you have millions of people in the diaspora all over the world who can relive that moment and I say that simply because I'm sure most people of course went on to Netflix again and you saw Hamilton on Broadway and finally millions of people can see that it is now it has now entered your living room and that is the effect that we want and we also want to create a balance with what is life and how many persons we can reach and we see this as an opportunity of reaching people on a wider scale maybe you could not come to the production but now it's now in your living room where you can enjoy it and you can you can be part of the process and as I say have that moment of catharsis. Yes and I think it's a unique opportunity to finally as you say capture the process but now not only capture but now we can aspire now we can say that we could present our work on an international scale you never know what's preventing us from being on Netflix what why can't we and you know it starts now with you know initiatives like what CDF is doing so let us know a little bit I know I'm sure you have plans for that because you know we always want to reach the international level and standard well in terms of international level and standard CDF is really pulling out all the stops and we have a couple of filmmakers working along with us Kendall John who has produced a full documentary and has filled the theater with persons we have a couple of young directors well of course Ms. Dubai you're one of the directors and Hayden Ford who has been a sort of soul-watching theater for a long time someone I call that swims against the tide and it's exciting to see him make that transition and be excited about putting something on stage and then making that transition into film and how we connect connect the dots and how we we work this out it's a very exciting period and working with the camera crew working with production assistants working in persons with makeup with CDF is really trying to engineer the process script writers screenplay writers and all of these are things within our pipeline in terms of training that we want to push forward so that in terms of this actual film industry CDF is really looking towards our contribution and helping it develop and grow I've been able to do that I guess by being able to do that let's talk a little bit about the buy in what is it that you guys have planned to ensure that you have the buy-in and you know the persons the players they take ownership behind the process and also how would you basically promote on the national level in terms of letting them buy into the process and I guess you could probably give us some timelines in terms of when the nation can basically look out for the productions coming out from CDF well we have developed a massive and strategic focus promotion and marketing plan and as we speak we're going through the process CDF has now brought in sort of a younger eyes into into the process we have a young lady working with us and Timber Cadet who's really into social media and that was an education for me you know in terms of social media who are the influences what do people watch if you're in a certain age range you're not on a particular social media that's for all the persons and it's understanding that science in terms of that and in terms of our output in terms of television and really getting people to listen for a particular period of time maybe it's one night or during the day this is what we're offering let's log on to that and in terms of that in terms of our promotion we've really embraced this new this new dawn this new era and we're moving in that direction nice so any final words anything you want to say just to wrap up cuz you know outreach virtual it's like it's nothing that has ever been done before in St. Lucia and we must commend you guys for stepping up because you know COVID-19 has really put the stop and you know much breaks a lot of us in different agencies so we want to say thank you guys so much in terms of our programming after the CDF feature has had said people will understand well I didn't really understand that it was CDF that initiated this process and created that and then you will get an insight CDF is almost like a silent giant and I think honestly I'm excited for the project as well because people just don't know what happens behind the scenes don't understand they don't know they don't understand so I guess capturing it in its most sincere and in these candid moments will obviously you'll educate and people will learn to appreciate and you know and to understand that it is what we're trying to get people to understand at the end of the day the message is whatever you do it's the discipline of continuing with it and perfecting your craft and moving beyond that innovating changing changing with the tide changing and improving on it and appreciating what's yours you do not destroy the root of what is yours you do not destroy the root of Lours you take from it and you build and you create I mean who would have thought that we'd be watching a Broadway play with hip-hop you understand what I'm saying and it is that level of creativity and an innovation that we're trying to encourage by doing this project and doing what we do as an organization that promotes artistic development and training and of course CDF will be virtual for this period in terms with this respects to our Lours Festival we're also doing a sort of a presentation where the documents I'm going out into the communities and person seen live what happens within the setup of our Lours Festival their sales their story their history so we're also doing that and our Emancipation program where we're doing a sort of a debate that addresses issues now something that is relevant and current and just organizing those things those points key points that really highlight who we are as a people how we can move from one point to the next how we can perfect things and achieve that that quality we always know that St. Lucia is just filled with talent it is now time to harness that talent and re revitalize ourselves and move in a positive direction Junior Frederick thank you so much for chatting us chatting you first today I wish CDF I wish you fortune and favours moving forward and all the best for the virtual art reach thank you coronavirus I am worried Gaza is only all people dying from that hold up being young does not mean being safe yes it's true that the elderly are at higher risk but anyone can get the virus the effect is even worse if you have a chronic condition like hypertension heart disease lung disease and diabetes or weakness in your immune system if you are living with these conditions be extra careful wash your hands with soap and water use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when hand washing is not possible avoid touching your face take steps to boost your immunity through proper nutrition exercise rest and take your medication as prescribed limit being around people who have few symptoms even close family members our health is in our hands together through simple actions we can stop the spread of coronavirus this message was brought to you by the Bureau of Health Education of the Ministry of Health and Wellness welcome back I cannot wait to see how art reach virtual 2020 pans out we cannot deny that this is a big jump away from traditional means of theater and performance in St. Lucia I think it would be remiss of me if I don't say kudos to you CDF and thank you for stepping up the next interview focuses on women entrepreneurship innovation big ideas and the small business community Michelle Samuel founded slow the terror a platform of programs initiatives communities that source connect and empower youth the unemployed and entrepreneurs Michelle was on a mission to let these individuals know that they were not alone with the advent of COVID-19 she talks to us about her programming which acts everyone anyone what is the problem that needs to be solved with this ongoing pandemic let's see what more she has to say SLU DTR a and it is a platform where she brings information and access and resources anything that any interpreter entrepreneur sorry may need to be able to launch their own business and I'm having a lady of the hour Michelle Samuel hello Michelle how are you hi Daniel I'm good thanks what an introduction my goodness I tried you know but it was so hard trying to encapsulate an introduction for you because let me tell you the CV along the CV along the accolades who are plentiful and all I can say is you know somebody saw that the people have referenced you as being an inspirational entrepreneur so let's talk about that and let's talk about your organization okay great well the term inspirational entrepreneur does definitely resonate with me and I say that because it is very synonymous with spiritual and holistic and that is what I that is the approach I use with almost everything that I do yes so everything has prayer behind it prayer before it and prayer with it so there is no venture that I entered to without praying about it first and knowing that by the grace of God it would be successful and I must commend you I don't know if commending is a word to put it as but quite often you don't find persons who are bold and courageous enough to talk about their spirituality and being able to blend you know your your spirituality and ensure that it's a part of every single thing that you do I mean from exploring the websites to your CV you did reference your Lord and Savior and I think it's testimony to the fact that we could be anything that we want to be and you have to always try to be authentic and stay true to yourself so if commendable is the word I want to say thank you and I want to say em how has that continued to what about you being I guess Christian and you being a business owner and an operator and encourage others what what it was an important message that you want to bring out and bring across well there's one basic thing that I live by I think I can call it a motto it's I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me so when I do come across persons who are looking for assistance who are really unsure you know they're filled with uncertainty as to the direction they need to go what they need to do and if entrepreneurship is even something they should consider then I would ask them to look within themselves you know because you cannot give what you don't have so if you have it within you to be a creator an inventor of things that you know other people can utilize if you have the skills and the talents to provide a service that other people would actually need or have a need for then you already in the market you just need to find your place in it and as you say that I remember we were chatting before we started the interview you have at least four opportunities right now that you can speak about that is inviting persons to innovate and to create especially during this ongoing COVID pandemic so let's tell a little bit about them of the way you kind of vetted us directly into the issue at hand which is COVID-19 this pandemic really hit us at a time where we were at our peak and we were celebrating so many accolades especially in the tourism industry and then because of that ironically enough it would hit us extremely hard so now we were faced with a situation where we had to find what is it that we can do to recover and what is it that we can do to sort of state a float in this pandemic time and what happened was that several young businesses reached out to me saying what can we do and how can we find help for ourselves because at this point in time we are the ones that are suffering the most right because there's no real assistance for us we've already had to struggle so hard the small business owners and entrepreneurs I mean so far they've had to struggle for what they have and where they've gotten to but now it's extremely difficult but I started to look and say to myself to me you're asking the wrong question it's not what can be done for me is what I can do in this time because we have a certain skill we have a certain intuitive mind where we solve problems so that is where I came up with the theme of awaken the entrepreneur in you and so with the four programs that are currently running it definitely encapsulates and boring your word it definitely encapsulates this particular theme so we start out with the entrepreneurship readiness program and that is a program that provides courses workshops and other developmental avenues for persons to educate themselves in terms of knowledge base and then right now you have a lot of time on your hands what are you occupying yourself doing so now you have an opportunity to educate yourself on various things that you probably didn't think of before or maybe you put on the back burner now's the time to go into it whether it is a certificate in a particular area what it is a degree in a particular area right now online courses are readily available so find the thing that you put on the back burner and put it to the forefront and see how you can further yourself and so right now we have several courses running through the entrepreneurship readiness program and one of which right now is called the dream to reality professional business training course and though it is geared towards women and I dare say that women right now are the nature is naturally so because of that I felt that they were the best niche market to target because they are the ones who look for the solutions to the problem quicker than the men do no offense to the men out there so so this particular course is geared towards them reevaluating what's going on right now if they are already in business they are now be able to reposition themselves in the current market and see what they can do within their businesses to find solutions to those problems and if it is that they're not in business right now they now have the the power to say maybe I can do something that can provide a solution to our current problems so we're now looking at empowering these women to create change within that realm and through these two programs they are now being introduced to public speaking and voicing their opinion on how they can actually solve various problems and so after they have gone through the dream to reality program they would now be presenting to the community the entrepreneurial community what it is that their business is about what it is that their venture is about and getting feedback from the community as to how they perceive it can this project really work so this is more like to prepare you or to get you to really evaluate where you are right now and to get the answers and the support that you need to be able to to to put a foot out and say okay this is what I'm going for because of everything that's taking right and also it allows persons within the community to get to know who is doing something or what these individuals are doing and since there is somebody who's trying to do something how can I help this person get to where they need to be whether it is by connecting them with resources or persons that can help them get things moving on the ground a lot quicker or if it is that they're looking for funding to really launch the project how can I refer this person to someone that can provide them the resources that they need and then it moves into the entrepreneurship readiness sorry then moves into the entrepreneurship world cup St. Lucia now this particular one in itself is not something that came out of St. Lucia my organization was invited to come on board to host the national leg of this competition which came about as of last year so the entrepreneurship world cup is basically called the biggest pitch competition in the world to date and it's called that because there are so there's so much to gain from it not just on the financial scale but also on the knowledge scale and the mentorship and that in itself put together is it is an immense hybrid that can move mountains for people who are looking for the next step so with the national leg of the competition we're able to provide persons in all industries who've never had a platform before to put themselves out there not just on a national scale but a global stage and that has never been available before I mean the competition which came closest to it was getting the ring but now we're looking at covering across of all industries and all ages that has never existed before to see that being launched in St. Lucia and has COVID-19 delayed your plans for any of your programming that's an excellent question Danielle and as a matter of fact what happened was that those plans when those those programs started running especially during this time we were faced to the fact that we can no longer connect directly with the persons that were trying to help how do we still reach them and so we went strictly online we went virtual so with startup huddle we have the events virtually and persons watch the attend the they basically engage with the presenters and the remaining audience and of course our expert panel we're able to engage virtually via zoom with the entrepreneurship readiness program the courses are done online the use canvas as the platform for our for our programs and with dream to reality those classes are also then virtually via zoom and of course with utilizing canvas my next question is is there a course to access your programming there is no course per se the what I like to tell people is that I look for challenges things that come extremely easy you tend to lose interest after a while I tend to look for persons who think that there's nothing that they can do I will accept that challenge and show you that there is something that you can do and then for those people who literally want the help to push themselves forward I will gladly you know I'm speak with you and see what can the organization do for you through whatever program or initiative that's happening that can help you go to that next step now entrepreneurship will cup St. Lucia I think is the biggest opportunity available we were able to get investing Lucia on board with us as national co-organizers and because of that it really helped persons to see how big of a deal this is because investing will never back something that is totally legitimate and we're looking at access to over one million dollars in funding that persons have access to through this competition two more questions before we wrap up what is the importance and we know that you have your organization which runs solely to support other people who might want to be interested in in entrepreneurship and small business what is the message what is the message that you have for anybody why you should be help each other and I think what we might miss I mean it's all amazing what you're doing but the root of it is the fact that you're helping and you're this you're this little niche or this little gap between that you're filling between government and the banks and you know and access to resources you you you provide that support and that cushion why the why has to do with why not I mean we each were created with something special that we can contribute we each have something that we can see I can help do this the decision has to be I am willing to there must be that willingness to do something and there was a program which I participated in in 2017 it's called the young leaders of the Americas initiative now before this program I was very very very soft-spoken I was an introvert you could not see me on a camera you could not see me in front of a room however the participation and this fellowship opened me to so many opportunities that were available and I was just too afraid to reach out and I noticed that that is probably the fear that exists in a lot of people they're afraid they're so used to that little box that they're accustomed to help what society has built for them that they're afraid of what their voice may invoke they're afraid of what they may be able to accomplish and especially if they've never been told that you can do this right so through these initiatives and programs that slid terror provides access to and of course through my dedicated team I mean I cannot do it alone I have an amazing team of again women in the organization and so through our efforts and they're all doing this voluntarily we don't get paid for what we do and that's the thing that I cannot speak enough of we've been doing this since 2017 and we've been doing it voluntarily and doing it well and shining the leather is that speak for itself we don't tot our horns that's not what we're about what we're about is letting persons know that if you are willing to create change we can show you how to make the change just make that step forward reach out to us and see which of our programs can fit you and see how you can contribute to the community and by extension the economy Michelle thank you so much for joining us today you said reach out to us so if you could just take two minutes 30 seconds to just let us know how we can reach out to you I mean my technician is reflex you know yes so let us know how we can contact you so persons can reach out to slid terror via email that is sludterra at gmail.com again sludterra at gmail.com that is the email we're on Facebook as well slad terror and persons can also reach out to me via our phone I can be reached on 484-5374 again 484-5374 and the website of course is slad terror.wordpress.com you can actually find several opportunities there readily available to you all you have to do is click and search and you can find them thank you so much Michelle fortunate favors moving forward and all the best and I just want to say one more thing awaken the entrepreneur in you amid COVID-19 there is an entrepreneur in all of you it is possible for infected food handlers or workers to introduce the COVID-19 virus into food or onto surfaces within the food business by coughing and sneezing or through hand contact unless they strictly follow good personal hygiene practices food handlers must wash their hands before starting work before handling cooked or ready to eat food after handling or preparing raw food after handling waste after cleaning duties after using the toilet after blowing their nose or sneezing or coughing after eating or drinking and after handling money more than ever before your important role as gatekeepers of St. Lucia's nutritional health and food security should be taken seriously when you exercise these precautions you're not only safeguard your health but also continue to allow St. Lucia's access to clean healthy and safe food remember it is our responsibility to ensure our nation it's fresh St. Lucia's best now it's time for link up we head over to Martinique to chat with console general Joanna Sultan whose reach and support to St. Lucia extends to Guadeloupe and French Guyana. Joanna how are you and how is Martinique today? Hi Daniel I'm fine actually we have fantastic weather in Martinique today after such bad weather yesterday and I understand we have a few waves heading our way so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it's safe for both us and Martinique and St. Lucia. Wow I know the weather is a kind of a way these days very sporadic and with that we know COVID is sporadic the same way and it's shooting us in so many different ways so for link up you like to always just reach out and we have been reaching out to different ambassadors throughout the region and the world because you know we have a far reach and just finding out what has your office been doing how is life post COVID? I have to admit and I'm sure it's the same for most of the missions life post COVID is definitely a lot different to life pre-COVID so we opened up really early we opened up on the 13th of May which was relatively early compared to the other missions but I mean France had given us the okay to go ahead and I wanted to really get back into the workflow so we opened up and of course we have to change all of our protocols so I mean people coming in to visit us they have to wear masks practice the social distancing no more than four people allowed in the office etc etc etc and that was a big change yes and what has been happening is that the borders to solutions here they are still closed even though St. Lucia has opened her borders France has closed her borders and of course Martinique being the part of France because Martinique is considered even if this is the Caribbean is considered European so what applies to France applies to dependence so there is a list which has the countries that allow where the citizens are allowed to enter the French territories free and of course there is no on that list so for any solution to come up special special permission is required etc etc so what we've done because we have so many requests I mean we have to understand that there are a lot of people in St. Lucia who come up many for medical reasons and we had a lot of these requests so what we had to do was to come up with a solution because I mean we found a lot of people fall sick and dying in St. Lucia perfect you and currently we have a boat called the Albatross that comes down twice a week and what it does is that it brings our sick people up in fact only persons with medical appointments are allowed onto the French territory at this moment from St. Lucia and how long has that been existing was it something did it stop for a while or you know the people have always been but I mean now with the borders closed since post COVID so we discussed with the authorities and so the boat has been operating fighting a little over a little over two months and we have brought many people up many people down don't forget also solutions who had to be repatriated there was actually no transport between Martinique and St. Lucia right now Anteliz is not flying there is absolutely no transport except for this little boat and of course private charters but you know the private charters are very expensive and not everyone for them so this little boat has been really chugging for us working is that a solution operated water it's actually only holds 12 persons so you could imagine the waiting list that we have and we are practically become a agency we are getting calls like crazy because because it's only late now from the French territory to St. Lucia people are trying now to get into St. Lucia from Europe that way so we have people coming as far as Germany into the into St. Lucia so we have Germany France but now British areas is flying into St. Lucia but we have people from England people coming as far as those who have to travel before I mean before we had those private charters it was just a little boat so we have been doing quite a bit of work I have to admit it is tiring I see one travel agents and travel agents through it's not an easy job at all and I could imagine that you continue to use your discretion because I'm sure that people have been able to move between the islands for other other reasons and you know your role so my next question is what are some of the requests that you've been getting I know that is more about just being able to move but I'm sure people have other reasons to move which are as important with health health concerns etc. Yeah well we do have other requests there are people who want to see their families I mean you have husbands whose wives are here they live here and they need to come up but of course maybe their documentation hasn't been processed as yet so you have people who have probably gotten married on the territory but they don't really have the French papers as yet they still have their solution passports and so they can't come up to see their husbands the wife's the wife's can't come to see their husbands husbands can't come up to see their wives kids need to see their families as well so we do get those requests but like I said it's really just medical urgency medical requests that we have people with right as that is what is allowed presently so in the interim people just have to wait until the French papers do you have any pronouncements or do you think that the opening of the borders for France or I mean well Martinique by extension do they are they discussing probably soon it will happen nothing I've been asking nothing really as yet and as you know there is now an increase the COVID is steadily increasing again in Europe I mean you've had to shut down Spain certain parts of Australia certain parts of Germany so I understand France is also on the right so if France decides to shut down or close quarantine its people is definitely a good thing for us this COVID thing looks like it's a long haul situation now the inverse is that the solution borders are open we are open people can come in as long as they follow the necessary protocols and what is happening is that if people have to leave here and go to quarantine they tell you that vacations that already they have no more vacation so they also kind of come down as they would like our role basically as well is to ensure that the protocols are followed so solutions coming up they have to follow the protocols that Francis put in place and if people are going down to St Lucia they have to follow the protocols that are being put in place as well in St Lucia and we stress on that we stress on that all the time but once you get there you have to quarantine in a government institution if not you quarantine in a hotel if you're I want to ask you I want to let's let's let's visual life before COVID and I know that before COVID and you know just hearing you know people talking about you that you ran a very dynamic office and you guys had some really exciting programs coming out like we didn't talk about the independence ball so I want you to kind of tell me you know what the embassy probably would have looked like if COVID didn't come let us know what are some of the things that you've been successful at you know achieving and you know so let's speak to that just a little bit well we had at least four projects in the pipeline for this year in May we were supposed to have an investment forum we were planning we were doing in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce here in Martini and everything was running to plan so we would have invited investors we were going to have our keynote speaker Pinti Francis a rep from the Ministry of Commerce in St. Lucia somebody from Invest not from Invest in Lucia from export St. Lucia and it really had the potential of being something fantastic because like a community of commerce was here on board and they had sent invitations to the different companies associations and it was really everybody was so excited and I was really looking forward to it because I think if had it taken place our situation would have gotten a lot more exposure when I invested my opportunities stood and more linkages here and linkages that on the side but it is going to happen it I'm not forgetting that another project we had was the twinning of town we've got the request for Father France the mayor of Father France they wanted to win with castries we have a cayenne in French that wants to win with shows up believe it or not and in French and it's so big when you compare it to shows up so that would have been great for show them in terms of exchanges we had a bill is I mean in one look that wanted to win with also castries so we had a series of twinnings slated as well as the renewal of existing twins because a few towns in solution to with French towns in between Martinique and what we were talking to them I have a very dynamic culture that she misses last summer and we were talking to these mares she was getting stuff organized it would have been fantastic I mean last year we twinned 10 schools 10 institutes right we were already reaping the rewards we already started exchanges we had a group of 56 convent students get in January and they spend some time going through and as you mentioned that I just remember that I think was it last summer a few summers ago some young kids came down to do some theater theater exchanges and that is quite exciting and I must say that you know in the past few years we have seen Martinique and St Lucia doing a lot of work a lot of work together so my next question for you is as we wrap up and try to conclude how do you intend to step up knowing that you have that fire and that vision for your office and you have your objectives as well in the ongoing COVID world well we are definitely going to do our programs I am insisting by next year hopefully I mean it's true we have the COVID situation is a very fluid situation but it kind of we mustn't stop it should not we can't lose sight of the ball in other words we can't we have to keep our eye on the ball with or without COVID but of course we have to do things in such a way to protect ourselves and also to mitigate the risk so I intend to execute my projects maybe with less people because now it's social distancing you can't move but I intend to do it the French authorities here Chamber of Commerce and the other associations they are still on they're still with the consulate we will really closely together the part of your associations and so it is going to happen I know in December already I want to do my my gala dinner like I did two years ago I couldn't do it last year but I intend to do it in December and already we're getting the pause is it going to happen is it not going to happen what is happening it was a great success we raised funds for the Sinusia police no unit $30,000 and you had a very successful independence ball last week last year so keep my fingers crossed that we can do it again we can do it again any messages what would you like to let Sinusians know here and in Martinique let them any messages that you want them to to to information that you want them to know let them know how they can contact you let them know you know I must say right now I think everybody's aware of the consulate we try to put it out there if you need any assistance call your consulate whether you're in Martinique whether you're in Sinusia give us a call we are here to assist we are here to help when it comes to medicals I would like to put it out there that we are working very closely with Laminar Hospital solutions can now call us for appointments and we can put them onto there's actually a unit at Laminar Hospital right now that Sinusians can call directly for appointments you get your your quote also before and so you know how much your your um but it's your MRI you know how much that's going to be and that was it was always there before but I don't think that people really knew so now instead of because people that's their problem they tell you they call Martinique they can't get a they can't get an appointment with a doctor it's difficult no you can't call Laminar appointment will be made for you and if you have any problems call us we direct you to them okay and we do have a Facebook page consulate general of Saint Lucia everything is on that page it's on Facebook thank you so much Johanna for chatting with us here this morning well today thank you very much and I hope that you know I wish you fortune and favors in all your endeavors keep up the energy and the good spirits and all the best and enjoy the rest of your day what's an amazing show we had this week there are so many examples of Saint Lucia and stepping out of the norm and their comfort zone to help solve problems innovate and thrive keep it up if you know anyone who's doing anything amazing in your community please shoot me an email at stepping up758 at gmail.com thanks again for joining me I'm your host Daniel Dubois keep safe and until next time don't forget to keep stepping up