Presentation Content 2005/2006 Poverty Analysis Country Poverty Alleviation Strategy Koudemain Ste Lucie Programme - Brief Description - Achievements - Challenges - Lessons Learnt

POVERTY ANALYSIS (2005/06) 28.8 % of the Saint Lucian population cannot afford the food and basic non–dietary goods needed for proper functioning by human beings on a daily basis (poor population) This represents an increased from 25.1% in % of these persons are unable to obtain the requisite kilocalories for the proper functioning of the human organism (indigent) This Represents a significant decrease from 7.1% in 1995.

POVERTY ANALYSIS (2005/06) 21.4 % of households were poor 1.2% of households were indigent 40.3% of the population, given their current consumption patterns are at risk of falling into poverty should any adverse natural disaster or economic shock eventuate.

OVERALL COUNTRY OBJECTIVE Reduce current levels of poverty and social vulnerability

COUNTRY STRATEGY Prioritization of poverty alleviation on the National Development Agenda Development of a pro-poor orientation in a range of institutions that deliver service to the communities Initiation of purposeful and targeted poverty reduction interventions

Koudemain Ste Lucie Programme The programme seeks to identify these indigent households and help them graduate out of their situation. fashioned after the “Puente Program” It focuses on the family as a unit of intervention in the fight against poverty. It seeks to empower indigent households with the psycho-social support necessary within two (2) years to improve their quality of life and become self sustainable.

Programme Pillars Personal Identification Education Housing Family Dynamics Income Health Employment

KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Specific Objectives Eradication of indigence Empowerment of People (families) Effective Networking of Social partners

KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

Development of Implementation Plan and Schedule ( Country Team) Development of Social Network - Identification of Social partners and stakeholders - Sensitization and participation of approx. 30 agencies in “network based capacity building on social protection strategies for St Lucia” KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

Endorsement of “Puente Approach” to poverty reduction in St Lucia - Presentations to: PRF Board Ministry of Social Transformation Cabinet of Ministers Development of Social Network National Consultation with social partners to: - Select a Social Network Committee - Discuss Social Protection Strategy Discuss targeting mechanism KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

Development of Targeting Strategy Implementation of Targeting Strategy for Pilot Phase of programme - Department of Statistics - Selection of Koudemain Communities based on latest Country Poverty Assessment (4) highest indigence per capita - Survey of entire community - Analysis of data to identify all indigent families KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

Sourcing or resources to implement programme Formal Launch of Programme Ongoing public sensitization on the Programme Recruitment of Programme Coordinator Recruitment and Training of 4 Family Care Givers Implementation of Pilot Phase of Programme - 4 communities - 46 families Sensitisation of selected families to Programme Twadysion Noel Christmas Food Voucher Project KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

Introductory meetings with Family Caregivers (FCG) and selected indigent families Signing of agreements and other documents with indigent families Start of weekly field visits of Koudemain families by FCG’s Psycho-social assessment of family members Recruitment of Supervisor for FCG Educational Assistance Health Assistance to some needed family members KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

Secured funds for Productivity Enhancement Training of families Comprehensive Psycho-social and Life Skills Training of Family Caregivers/ Social Workers (Oct – Dec) - Funded by EU Funds - Development of Psycho-social and Life skills Modules and intervention tools - Training of Trainers workshops - Development of National Database Exploring opportunities for employment for eligible members of the Koudemain family members (Private sector, HOPE,etc) KOUDEMAIN STE. LUCIE Achievements

CHALLENGES FACED Limited Resources (funds, personnel, facilities, opportunities, etc) Inadequate Political ‘buy – in’ Inadequate Networking and Institutional coordination Unrealistic expectations of Koudemain Ste Lucie Programme Poor prioritization of needs by family members Lack of adequate private sector support Poor economic climate

LESSONS LEARNT Institutional collaboration and coordination is critical to the success of the programme Effective targeting is important It is necessary that the programme be supported by a well designed, integrated information system. Psychosocial support is a core component of the programme

Future Plans Selection of additional communities and families for participation in the programme. Conditional Cash Transfer Pilot Project for Christmas Establishment of National Database (to support national programmes and poverty alleviation strategy) PET workshops for suitable family members Housing assistance to needy families Employment from HOPE programme

Thank You!