Ten Fond St. Jacques Seed Instructor Completes Cooking Training

Ten residents from Fond St. Jacques recently completed the Seed Mentor Training Program, which is enabling the West Coast community to better market its culinary attractions.

The ten seed mentors received two months of intensive training in food preparation as part of the Community Business Revitalization Program, a collaborative initiative between the Taiwan Technical Mission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, and the Place Saint-Jacques Development Committee.

The 90-hour training covered product planning, business development, customer service, marketing, sustainable food production and food safety. The training was led by Ms. Jordann Norbert, CEO/Lead Trainer of EcoFood Training and Certification, and Chef Orlando Satchell, owner of an Orlando restaurant and bar.

The graduation ceremony was held on Friday, August 23 at Fond St. Jacques, where ten participants were awarded certificates of completion and encouraged to become torchbearers of the community’s increasingly popular culinary appeal.

Speaking on the achievements of Seed Mentors, Her Excellency Emma Hippolyte, Saint Lucia’s Minister of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs and Parliamentary Representative for the Soufriere/Font-Saint-Jacques Region, thanked the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for its continued support to Saint Lucia’s socio-economic development.

Ms. Hippolyte noted that the cooking training came at an opportune time as the town of Font-Saint-Jacques prepares to host its first taro festival on Saturday, September 28. She said the training programme was fully in line with the government’s goal of getting people into sustainable employment, thus ensuring socio-economic development.

“(The project) will provide impetus to other projects you are working on, such as the eco-tourism park,” said Hon. Hippolyte. “About two weeks ago, we graduated more than 60 young people from the entrepreneurship.”

She added: “I would like to congratulate you for your perseverance and determination to stick with this course, which is vital.”

Her Excellency Dr. Pauline Antoine-Prospere, Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, told the Seed Mentors to be agents of positive change within their communities. She said the collective influence they now have to transform their communities cannot be underestimated.

“Let us reflect on the transformative power of education and mentoring,” said the Reverend Dr. Antoine-Prospere. “The seeds planted in your hearts are not just metaphors; they represent real, tangible change. When we talk about sustainable development, that’s what we mean: you have planted a seed that we hope will be planted in the hearts of many others, both within the constituency and beyond.”

Mr. Weimin Lee, head of the Taiwan Technical Delegation, said the program is a perfect example of people empowering themselves and their communities. He noted that when people have knowledge, they can actually take better control of their lives and are more competitive in the market.

Mr. Lee praised the strong support of the program by Ms. Emma Hippolyte and her team from the Ministry of Commerce. He also praised the team from the Taiwan Technical Delegation and Fond St. Jacques Development Committee for their contributions to the success of the program. He also had some encouraging words for the seed mentors.

“To those who participated in the training, I would like to congratulate all of you for taking the time and energy to dedicate to developing your skills during the two-month training period. I hope you will continue to be excellent role models in the community and empower the MSMEs that need your support and guidance. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours,” said Li.

Lee added: “The Taiwan Technical Delegation remains committed to promoting the socio-economic development of Saint Lucia, and I look forward to more fruitful initiatives like today’s event.”

Mr. Zou, project manager of the Taiwan Technical Mission, said the Community Business Revitalization Project and the Seed Mentor Program represent an important step forward in efforts to empower local communities and create an environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Font-Saint-Jacques region.

“The CBR project aims to promote sustainable development in the community,” Zou explained. “We recognize the role that MSMEs play in the economy and understand the challenges they face.”

Mr Zou added: “When a seed is planted, it grows and eventually produces its own seeds. Similarly, these seed mentors aim to address challenges by building an ecosystem of knowledgeable individuals within the community. They will nurture and mentor aspiring and existing MSME owners.”

Mr. Alvinaus Simon, Business Development Officer at the Ministry of Commerce, said the award ceremony was an important milestone in the economic and business development of Fond St. Jacques. He said that from the beginning of the planning, Fond St. Jacques has faced challenges that require innovative solutions, new ideas, and must take courageous actions. He urged seed mentors to guide new entrepreneurs, support struggling businesses, and help others to realize their potential.

“By doing so, you will contribute not only to the success of individual businesses, but to the overall well-being and economic development of the community,” Simon told Seed Mentors. “When you serve as Seed Mentors, your leadership and love for your community will set the tone for creating a future where Fond St. Jacques thrives, businesses succeed, innovation and creativity are provided, and every business has access and a fair chance to reach its full potential.”

Other guests present at the certificate presentation ceremony included Mr. Harold Dalson, President of the Soufriere Marine Stewardship Association, Ms. Chang Shu-ling, Deputy Counselor of the Embassy of Taiwan, Ms. Jordan Norbert, CEO/Lead Trainer of Eco-Food Training and Certification, and guest speaker, Chef Orlando Satchell, owner of the Orlando Restaurant and Bar.