The Voice, Saint Lucia, 23rd December, 2008
Taiwanese Government Gives Saint Lucia Hope In 2009
By Denys Springer
I sit to write this article in a joyous mood because as some countries face a dark, desolate and sometimes desperate future, Saint Lucia can look to the future with some hope because of our Taiwanese friends. I salute them for being here and for helping in the development of this country in many areas of our lives. We therefore owe them a great debt of gratitude as Christmas and the New Year approaches.
I am sure that our Vincentian brothers and sisters feel the same way because the help they have given to our brother country has been astronomical yet, their aid to Saint Lucia has far surpassed that of any other country. Why? Because we have an Ambassador in his Excellency Tom Chou that truly cares about the future of this country and its people. He is able to plead our case to his government with conviction and passion.
Over the past year there have been many joint efforts between the government of Saint Lucia and the Taiwanese government. Many seem to have gone unnoticed except for the people of the different communities where the aid is being distributed and have made a great impact in their lives. What our Taiwanese brothers have insisted is that community programs or projects are important to the development of any country than building big buildings that needs a great sum of money to maintain. In effect that is how Taiwan got out of its reliance of being a recipient of aid to one that now gives aid to developing countries like ours.
Last week I went on a tour of the Prime Minister's constituency and was amazed how the lives of many people were touched by the help that were given by the Taiwanese government. Many areas that were simply a dirt track is now a full fledged road where cars can drive in. I saw joy on people's faces when the Prime Minister arrived in their area. They also greeted the Taiwanese ambassador with enthusiasm and kindness because of what has taken place in their community and the difference the work in their community has made to their lives.
As I approached in one area the ladies were quick to greet me by welcoming me to King Avenue. I was somewhat taken aback when I was told that the road I now see was nothing but a small dirt track that was muddy and unmanageable when it rained and necessitated them taking off their shoes in order to navigate their way to the main road. This was a touching moment for me to see such happiness on the faces of so many people.
I saw many other projects in areas like Bois Patat, Nicklett Hill that has transformed the area. I also witnessed on that particular day two ceremonies where the Taiwanese government donated a sum of money for the elderly to begin construction of an old people's home in the community.
They also helped in giving assistance to pay for school books for the underprivileged children. They further went to the Castries Comprehensive School where they donated 75,000 E.C. Dlrs. to help in providing for a new computer lab.
Apart from the major projects that will begin in 2009 which will be a lifeline too many unemployed builders on the island there are many other projects that will be of major importance to Saint Lucia as we try to journey and navigate a path through 2009. the journey won't be easy but I am definitely in high spirits. Union for example will once again become a thriving hub of agricultural activity when the "Tissue Culture Building" is finally completed and the tilapia and prawns becomes ready for sale to the tourist market. The building will be powered by solar panels which will begin a revolutionary way of powering our homes.
I have been to other constituencies like Baboneau where many road projects funded by the Taiwanese will begin in the New Year which will bring new life to the people in those constituencies. There are many other constituencies such as Dennery etc. that have benefited from the help given by the Taiwanese government. We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to the Taiwanese government for coming to the help of so many people and bringing joy and happiness to them.
However, what have impressed me and convinced me that the Taiwanese ambassador and his staff truly care about Saint Lucia was the ceremony held at The Prime Minister's official residence on Wednesday 17th December 2008, where with the help of the Taiwanese Ambassador many needy and underprivileged children will have a toys for Christmas because of his links with The Care2Help Charitable Organization of New Jersey. Many of those toys will go to children in the different communities, HTS and the Red Cross when they hold their kiddies party.
In making her speech during the ceremony at the Prime Minister's official residence the Red Cross Director made it clear that their party was not without food or drink but their party would have been ruined as they had no toys and therefore a party without toys during Christmas is not a party. The Director was therefore elated and grateful by the pleasant donation of toys that was made to the organization at such short notice.
At this juncture I want to report that the ties between China and Taiwan is defrosting at a rapid pace to the extent that there are now numerous direct flights between the two countries and that shipping of goods now take a much shorter time which will help both countries enormously in the economic sense of the word. Both countries have a lot to gain which will help make them a formidable force in the area. Now goods and people don't have to go through a third country. This is tremendous news for our friends in 2009.
I now want in the spirit of the moment to send my fondest wishes to the President of Taiwan and its people and to wish them a bright and prosperous new year. I also want to extend the season's greetings to the Ambassador and his wife, his hardworking staff Allen, Charles, Ken, Susana and supporting staff. May they have a pleasant and wonderful Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May they long continue to be on Saint Lucian soil and to work jointly with our government, prioritizing what is important to aid in the development of the country in the New Year. That is my wish and that of many Saint Lucians. May Jehovah bless them and giant them health and strength!
