St. Lucia’s post-pandemic economy presents significant challenges, particularly for its youth, who are crucial to the island’s long-term recovery. As career opportunities become increasingly influenced by governmental economic strategies, impactful school care programs are emerging as beacons of hope. One such program, rooted in the heart of a partner community, is making a tangible difference. Loraine Mitille, the dedicated Coordinator of Anse la Raye’s Centre For Adolescent Renewal and Education (CARE), offers a grounded yet optimistic outlook on her students’ career prospects, driven by a daily commitment to empower them.
In Anse la Raye, St. Lucia, within a modest building, a profound transformation is quietly unfolding. The CARE model, a practical and insightful school care program, is effectively “helping disadvantaged and marginalized youth take advantage of their lives and destinies.” In this community, this translates to equipping students for enduring careers within St. Lucia’s key sectors: Tourism, call centers, real estate, and related industries. The success of this school care program is evident as employers actively seek CARE graduates for positions in hotels, cruise lines, and businesses spanning computer technology, electronics, and construction.
The impact of this school care program is particularly significant in today’s climate. CARE, established in 1993 by Irish Presentation Brother Dominic Brunnock, began as a concise three-month program in Castries, catering to youth aged 15 to 19. Its initial focus was on practical trades like electrical and refrigeration training. Over time, the curriculum of this vital school care program expanded to include carpentry and joinery, garment construction, catering and food preparation, electronics and small appliance repair, and computer and office services. CARE has evolved into a full-year, accredited alternative secondary school across four communities, including Anse la Raye, a partner community of Global Volunteers. Students, often referred by teachers, social service agencies, or their families, contribute a yearly tuition of 700 Eastern Caribbean (EC$) dollars. The program also incorporates a Junior Life curriculum for adolescents aged 12 to 14, and the Adolescent Development Program (ADP) serves as CARE’s foundational first year, emphasizing holistic life skills (SPICES) for students aged 13 to 19, ensuring comprehensive school care.
“We cater to students who are at risk of dropping out of mainstream education. Our primary focus within this school care program is to instill discipline, moral values, confidence, and self-esteem,” Mrs. Mitille explains. “This approach allows us to effectively address the multifaceted challenges they face. Ultimately, our aim is to develop them into productive members of society.”
Mrs. Mitille elaborates on the program’s structure, “Students commence with the SPICES Program in their first year, a crucial component of our school care initiative. This program is designed to nurture their spiritual, physical, intellectual, creative, emotional, and social development – essentially, the complete individual.” Following this foundational year, students transition into skills training focused on income generation. However, life skills training remains integral throughout their journey in this school care program. “We educate them on building healthy family lives, responsible parenting, and active community engagement,” Mrs. Mitille continues. “We organize educational field trips to various places of interest, broadening their understanding of the wider community.”
These excursions include visits to the island’s correctional facilities. “We take them inside, where they hear firsthand accounts and understand the potential consequences of their choices.” She emphasizes CARE’s core principle: empowering students with the self-assurance to recognize alternatives in any situation and to act in accordance with their values, priorities, and commitments, a cornerstone of effective school care.
Students also have the opportunity to visit potential employers, such as hotels. “This allows them to gain direct insight into the realities of the workplace and what is expected of them when they are ready to enter employment,” Mrs. Mitille states, highlighting the career-focused approach of the school care program.
Global Volunteers’ Contribution to School Care
Volunteers collaborating with CARE primarily focus on first-year students, supporting their character and social development, integral to this school care program. Volunteers offer individualized support to students needing remedial assistance in math, literacy, and sciences during class sessions. Nursing students from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota recently conducted workshops spanning hygiene, sexually transmitted diseases, mental wellness, and nutrition for all students over a two-week period, enhancing the health and well-being aspect of school care. Volunteers with backgrounds in education, health, and practical skills such as mechanics, electrical work, cooking, customer service, and related fields are consistently encouraged to contribute their expertise to this valuable school care program. “We are continuously seeking ways to enrich the learning environment in diverse ways,” Mrs. Mittille emphasizes. Volunteers with personal experiences of overcoming challenges in education, family life, employment, or social relationships are especially invited to share their stories, providing relatable mentorship within the school care framework.
Preparing for the Road Ahead with School Care
St. Lucia, like much of the Eastern Caribbean, is navigating ongoing challenges including supply-chain disruptions and escalating consumer prices for food and fuel, further aggravated by international events. Despite these economic headwinds, Mrs. Mittille remains resolutely optimistic, radiating positivity for her students’ benefit. “I have unwavering faith that everything will ultimately improve. The Virtues are central to our school care program, and we firmly believe that by instilling these virtues, we equip our students with the resilience needed to succeed.” She references a set of virtue cards and a wall poster, “We share these virtues with our students every day, focusing on a new virtue each day as a guiding principle in our school care.”
Youth unemployment in St. Lucia remains disproportionately high, being three times more likely to be unemployed compared to adults. UNICEF St. Lucia data indicates that pre-pandemic, only 33 percent of youth were employed, contrasting sharply with 87 percent of adults. While unemployment is gradually decreasing, progress is slow. The Department of Finance projects a 3 percent economic growth by the end of 2023.
“Our students have the agency to make informed choices regarding their career training,” Mrs. Mittille emphasizes. “Upon completing the program, every young person should possess the skills to secure and maintain employment. They should be well-rounded individuals with a positive outlook.” This, she asserts, is what distinguishes CARE students. “Attitude is what we emphasize to potential employers. It’s their attitude that secures them six- to eight-week internships in May, a critical component of our school care program.” These internships are the program’s culmination, and according to Mrs. Mittille, an impressive 87 percent of interns transition into full-time employment. “Their performance is so commendable that businesses consistently reach out to us for more graduates of our school care program.”
“Businesses actively seek out our students,” she reiterates. For example, leading up to the holiday period, the Massy supermarket chain contacts CARE for part-time employees. “They recognize the value of the positive attitude instilled in our students. A positive attitude makes everyone more willing to collaborate and work together,” highlighting the soft skills focus of the school care program.
This same positive ethos is expected of CARE’s educators. “If you lack commitment to young people, you won’t thrive in this program. It demands commitment and passion, as none of us are highly compensated. We are all driven by a love for our community. You must be a mother, father, counselor, police officer, doctor, and everything else… to ensure student success within this school care framework.” CARE employs eight teachers, with the most tenured educators serving for 22 to 25 years. Mrs. Mittille herself started as an ADP instructor when the program expanded to Anse la Raye, and has witnessed 30 graduating classes. Despite her dedication and the program’s proven success, limited external support causes frustration. “There’s no justification for our students facing such hardship. Our government needs to recognize that these students are our future. We even engage with secondary schools to promote the importance of the attitudes we cultivate in our school care. We shouldn’t be struggling, but we are.” Her enduring motivation? “Witnessing the students flourish. That is the true reward. That is the future we are building through school care.”
“Mother, father, counselor, police officer, doctor;” Mrs. Mitille offering guidance to two students in the teacher’s lounge during a break.
How You Can Support School Care in St. Lucia
Volunteers from diverse backgrounds are needed throughout the year to assist at CARE, local primary and secondary schools, and regional medical clinics, strengthening the community’s network of school care and support. Volunteer projects primarily focus on education – providing math and literacy tutoring, health and nutrition education, and life skills development within the school care programs. Special projects also arise periodically based on immediate needs, such as swimming instruction, classroom renovations, and school agricultural initiatives, all contributing to a more enriching school care environment.
Classroom resources remain scarce. School buildings are in need of repair. Essential teaching materials are often depleted. These challenges contribute to significant stress for both teachers and students. Students in partner communities deserve and aspire to improved learning environments, and every donation that supports school care brings celebrated progress. In 2024, CARE’s culinary program aims to relocate to a more suitable facility – one large enough to simulate a professional kitchen and offer adequate learning space for this vital school care component. However, the program urgently requires essential food preparation equipment such as pots, pans, knives, and numerous other items. You can make a difference! Please select “St. Lucia” on our donation page here and contribute generously to equip these students with the tools they need for successful training within this impactful school care program. You can also add a “donation note” specifying the CARE Culinary Program – or any other project you wish to support, directly investing in school care.
Numerous funding opportunities are available – take a moment now to empower CARE students to thrive through enhanced school care! Your support is greatly appreciated.
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