A simple act of compassion has transformed the life of a resident of Bois d’Orange whose mobility had been severely limited. Thanks to a partnership between the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS-7) project currently underway in Saint Lucia, the resident has received a much-needed wheelchair, restoring not just movement, but dignity and independence.
The MICS-7 is an international household survey programme developed by UNICEF to collect essential data on the well-being of men, children, women, and families. During the survey’s fieldwork in Saint Lucia, one of the enumerators, Aeril Lascaris, encountered the resident and was deeply moved by her situation.“We had an interview with this household and the lady said she needed a wheelchair,” Lascaris recalled. “She made a request for one at the Town Hall and was asked to come in to collect it, but due to the failing cartilage in her knees, she can’t walk. I told her I would see what I could do. She was so happy, she cried.”
Lascaris reached out to the SSDF, a satelite agency of the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, which quickly mobilized to provide the wheelchair. The organization’s swift response underscored its ongoing commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society.
Executive Director of the SSDF, Mr. John Victorin, said the initiative exemplifies the Fund’s core mission of social inclusion and care for the marginalized.“The SSDF exists to respond to the real needs of our people, especially those who are often overlooked,” Victorin stated. “Partnerships like this one with MICS-7 show that when we listen, observe, and act with compassion, we can make a tangible difference in people’s lives. This is the kind of community impact we want to see multiplied across Saint Lucia.”
The gesture highlights the importance of collaboration between local agencies and international development partners. While MICS-7 focuses on gathering data to guide social policy and measure progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SSDF ensures that such insights translate into meaningful interventions on the ground.
For the Bois d’Orange resident, the donation represents more than mobility, it is a renewed sense of hope and belonging.
