Press Release

Upon the request from Saint Lucia Blind Welfare Association (SLBWA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) decided to support the project of SLBWA for promoting the social participation of persons with disabilities. On 15th November, 2021, SLBWA and JICA Saint Lucia Office signed the contract agreement on the follow-up cooperation project for JICA's past technical cooperation program.

This project was envisaged by Ms. Debora Pamphile-McLean of SLBWA who participated in JICA's training program ‘Social Participation and Livelihood of Persons with Disabilities through a Community-based Inclusive Approach' in 2018. The main objectives of the project will be to implement a (1) national survey and registration on blind & vision impaired person, (2) COVID-19 awareness program to both blind & vision impaired person and general public, and the (3) improvement of educational environment of blind & vision impaired students under COVID-19 in order to orient and implement the support system adapting "new normal" for blind & vision impaired persons in Saint Lucia.

L-R: Debora Pamphile-McLean (SLBWA), Anthony Avril (SLBWA), Hiroyasu Tonokawa (JICA)

On the occasion of the signing, Mr. Hiroyasu TONOKAWA. Chief Representative of JICA Saint Lucia Office mentioned that this project is quite important considering the situation that blind & vision impaired person have been faced with.

In response to that, Mr. Anthony Avril, Executive Director, SLBWA expressed his gratitude to the support of JICA and commitment to complete the project successfully.

ABOUT JICA

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the primary Japanese governmental agency responsible for Japan's bilateral ODA (Official Development Assistance). It is chartered with assisting economic and social growth in developing countries, and the promotion of international cooperation. JICA Saint Lucia supplies technical expertise, training courses, (ODA loans), grants aid and a volunteer scheme (JOCV) to the people of Saint Lucia. The core areas for cooperation in Saint Lucia are Fisheries; Environment; and Disaster Risk Reduction. The JICA Saint Lucia Office also covers Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Vincent & Grenadines, Saint Kitts Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.

PRESS CONTACT

Erland J. George (Mr.)
Training and Public Relations Officer
JICA Saint Lucia Office
George-Erland@jica.go.jp
(758) 453-6032/33 or 485-1725 Fax: (1-758) 453-6036
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jicasaintluciaoffice/ (external link)