Youth on Duty Beautification Project Inspires Spectators to Participate
More than 110 young people from the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists beautified the village of New Development, Soufriere, on Sunday, July 16, 2023, by planting approximately 22 palm trees and 133 flowering plants.
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Young people on the island of Sint Lucia actively participate in the beautification of the project in the community of Soufriere by planting palm trees and flowering plants. The initiative was sponsored by the Youth Department of the Mission and engaged youth, ages 15 to 35. Image by Sint Lucia Mission youth ministries department.
More than 110 young people from the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists beautified the village of New Development, Soufriere, on Sunday, July 16, 2023, by planting approximately 22 palm trees and 133 flowering plants.
The initiative, coined “Youth On Duty”, was sponsored by the Youth Department of the Mission, and engaged youth, ages 15 to 35. The goal of the effort was to strengthen their relationship with and appreciation for God, through service to Him, each other, and the community. The project was a part of the annual Saint Lucia Youth Conference (SLYC), hosted from July 13 to 18, 2023.
The Constituency Council for the villages of Soufriere and Fond St. Jacques granted the permission required to undertake the project. Mr. Cletus Dedier, Deputy Mayor, who was on hand for the clearing, cleaning, and planting of flowers and palm trees at New Development, indicated that the Council would do all within its purview and power to ensure that the garden is properly maintained. “I can assure you, that the Soufriere-Fond St. Jacques Constituency Council, will give your project all the attention and care it needs so that your efforts and sweat will not go in vain,” he said. He also expressed with jubilation that “the turnout and participation by you - the youth, is a testament of how powerful, meaningful and impactful you - the youth, can be as a positive unit.”
Young people participating in the tree planting exercise stand in admiration of the opportunity to connect with the community through the initiative. Image by Sint Lucia Mission youth ministries department.
“Pastor Roger Stephen, President of the Saint Lucia Mission, expressed that he was proud of the passion and commitment exhibited by the young people who participated in the tree planting and beautification project. He stated, “This is simply a demonstration that the church cares for society and presents Jesus in our communities through the practical message of the gospel.”
“We wanted to take part in reaffirming the vision and commitment of the Adventist Church and their stewardship to the preservation and love of the environment in Saint Lucia,” said Pastor Richard Randolph, Director of Youth, Chaplaincy & Public Campus Ministries of the Saint Lucia Mission. He continued, “As Seventh-day Adventists, an appreciation for the community in which we live in is very important so that’s why, as Church members and young people, we try to get involved in these types of projects. A beautiful city is a happy city; hence, it produces happy and healthy citizens.”
This was the Mission’s first attempt at organizing and coordinating a beautification effort in its territory. One committed member of the Fond St Jacques Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, Trenton Emmanuel - who was also the site project manager, sponsored the project in its entirety by providing and financing the plants, flowers, tools, and topsoil needed to make this become a reality. Many onlookers publicly commended the effort and were inspired to join the young people during the tree-planting activity.
Deputy Mayor Mr. Cletus Dedier (left), Pastor Richard Randolph, youth ministries director of the Sint Lucia Mission and Tranton Emmanuel site project manager and sponsor of the project stand at the newly planted garden in the village of New Development, Soufriere. Image by Sint Lucia Mission youth ministries department.
Pastor Randolph concluded, “The flower garden was a much-needed project for the community members, and they were delighted to see an army of youth working, planting, and beautifying their community. A project initially projected to be completed in eight hours took us only four hours to be completed. We are happy that through this experience many of our youth have testified to having a deeper appreciation for service to God, humanity, and their community.”