It has been a busy month at school. We had our road race and sports meet these past two weeks, both went well and the kids enjoyed running and racing each other. We also celebrated the 37th year of Independence for St Lucia. There was a District Independence Rally in Vieux-Fort and some students, staff and I went to support. The music was fun but the speeches were a little long. The Prime Minister of St Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony, was there and I was able to speak with him which was exciting. I also later found out that our school was on national news from the rally and the sports meet and people told me I was sighted in both segments…I need to watch the news more often! The day before Independence weekend was National Colours Day so I had a dress made with the colours of the flag. My favourite dress I have had made so far! I promised to wear it next February, where ever I will be and send pictures. Later that day, all the volunteers made their way up to Castries to meet the new U.S. Ambassador to the Caribbean. She and her team who are stationed in Barbados asked us questions about living in St Lucia and we asked many questions about Foreign Service and the narrow chances of getting through the application process. It was very informative. The last fun activity I want to share was a presentation by Environmental Health officials sent by the Ministry to all the schools. They are teaching the children about the Zika Virus since it has infected the majority of the Caribbean and will most likely be in St Lucia soon. But instead of the not-so-child-friendly presentations they normally give, they came with a giant mosquito costume to demonstrate how the virus is passed from person to person. Every student listened and it was a great success. The presentation ended with our students singing a chant to get Zika out and chasing the mosquito out of the school. I am now currently in the process of writing a grant for some funding for a Parent Literacy Workshop the school wants to host in May. Its proving to be a lot of work, I hope we can submit it in time! 6 more months in St Lucia…time is flying by now.
Caribbean Kim 