Student reads some of the messages on the Clothesline (Photos By Bill Mortley)

The Clothesline Project returned for its third year at the Derek Walcott Square last Tuesday in celebration of International Women’s Day 2012. The project was organized by TOCO and PROSAF together with the Division of Gender Relations and hosted by HTS/Radio100.
They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO) is a 501(c)(3) US based not-for-profit organization founded by St Lucian artiste Taj Weekes and is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean through sports, health and enrichment programs.  The clothesline project is an exhibition of poignant messages penned by family and friends of people who have died and whose lives have been profoundly affected by the scourge of domestic violence. It also highlighted testimonials from women and girls who have and others who are facing domestic and other forms of violence.  The messages were displayed on t-shirts and the activity also provided counseling and answers to people who were currently in an abusive situation. Taj Weekes explained to the STAR what the project is really about and how it has brought a positive change in the lives of women in St Lucia. “It serves two purposes —it gives them an out and it also encourages other women to do the same. It is helpful because people see their story and what they are going through—they tend to shed tears or seek counsel in an effort to get help and get out of their abusive situation,” said Weekes.  The recipient of the St Lucia House Foundation’s Humanitarian Award said he was touched when he saw women break down in tears after reading a few messages on the t-shirts.  Weekes explained the t-shirts were all bought by himself and “the idea really, is to get persons to write their stories, their messages on the t-shirts. Hopefully next year, participants will bring their own t-shirts to continue hosting the event that is expected to touch and change lives in St Lucia.”  Velika Lawrence, a member of Positive Reactions Over Secrets and Fear (PROSAF) says one of the goals of the project is to address the issue of sexual abuse in St Lucia.  She noted that suitable resources need to be in place to help the many women and girls who are affected “whether it is secretly or openly and there are many cases that are not heard of in public where young girls and women are sexually assaulted.”  She further stated that her organization exists to help the many forms of abuse that affect the lives of women every day.  “We live in a society where some of these incidents are kept hush-hush; we are not expected to talk about it, it is always a surprise thing and the clothesline project is happening at a time when a woman was recently murdered along with her infant. This was reported but how many go unreported; how many are covered to protect offenders of these crimes?”
Meanwhile, Minister of Gender Relations, Alvina Reynolds has strongly condemned the recent brutal murder of a teenage mother and her one year old daughter.  Reynolds says she was deeply saddened by the tragic incident and called on all members of the society to strongly denounce violence against women. She made the pronouncement during the annual clothesline project which was held at the Derek Walcott Square. The Minister further added that the financial and social impact of violence in the society is a major burden. She says persons need to work together to help fight and reduce the incidence of domestic violence against women.
The Minister for Gender relations indicated that women on the island are still plagued by poverty, unemployment and abuse and inequality.  The clothesline project began on Tuesday and ended yesterday with counseling sessions for abused women and even HIV rapid testing. It featured formal addresses by prominent women and celebrities and saw visits by a number of schools from Castries and surroundings.

by Stan Bishop

Around the world, at least one in every three women has been physically, sexually or emotionally abused in her lifetime. Their abusers are, more often than not, individuals known to them. Those crucial statistics formed part of the opening remarks from Minister of Health, Wellness, Human Services, and Gender Relations, Hon. Alvina Reynolds, as she addressed last Tuesday afternoon’s audience at The Clothesline Project. The event, held on the Derek Walcott Square, was hosted by the Division of Gender Relations, in collaboration with They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre, Options Designs and media partners HTS/Radio 100 Helen FM. “Violence against women and girls is a universal problem of epidemic proportions,” Hon. Reynolds told the modest gathering that turned up for the opening of the four-day anti-violence exhibition now on at Derek Walcott Square. “It has been described as the most pervasive violation of human rights, occurring every day, in every country, regardless of income or level of development. Women of all nations, cultures, religious backgrounds and economic status are subjected to physical harm, mental anguish and crippled self-esteem, sometimes with fatal consequences.” Rape and other sexual offences committed on women and wife battering, the minister added, often redound to depriving women and girls of their basic needs and human rights. According to Hon. Reynolds, statistics reveal that domestic violence is one of the main forms of gender-based violence in Saint Lucia. The home setting, from which many women seek love, comfort and protection, often turns out to be the source where many women experience unspeakable acts of terror. Physical injuries, mental illness, the erosion of the family structure, a loss of confidence that limits the full potential of the victims, as well as the inherent economic costs associated with such an equation, are just some of the negative spin-offs of domestic and other violent abuses, the minister explained. “Research indicates that children who grow up in homes where they witness abuse may have the tendency to perpetuate or experience domestic violence as adults, thereby transferring the cycle of abuse from one generation to the next,” the Human Services and Gender Relations minister said on Tuesday. Violence against women, Hon. Reynolds acknowledged, has been known to be “an issue requiring priority action in Saint Lucia for several years now and huge amounts of money have been invested in attempts to address the problem.” She identified agencies such as the Crisis Centre, Family Court, Women’s Support Centre, and the Department of Human Services as agencies that have been established to provide support for victims of abuse. Nevertheless, the minister lamented the fact that despite the best efforts of those agencies, “the problem appears to continue unabatedly, with at least one brutal attack resulting in the death or permanent disability of a victim occurring each year.” She also referenced the incident at Bois Patat, Castries, in which a pregnant teenage mother and her one-year-old daughter were reportedly stabbed to death earlier this week. While police officials are still investigating the matter, there are reports that the now-deceased mother and her twenty-four-year-old live-in boyfriend were having domestic problems that often involved bouts of verbal abuse. The minister also expressed her sympathies to the relatives and residents of Bois Patat who, she said, would have been deeply impacted by this week’s unfortunate tragedy. She also stressed the need for more concerted efforts to be made to prevent the occurrences of such heinous incidents. “It is clear that we must continue to work together to develop innovative strategies that will enable us to provide improved prevention and intervention services and we must continue to reach out in all communities, challenging attitudes, beliefs and behaviours in order to realize a lasting, positive social change. We must continue to engage men and boys in campaigns to end violence against women and children, so that they can be part of the solution and not regarded as part of the problem,” Hon. Reynolds said. Her ministry, she assured, will work in closer partnership with national, regional and international institutions with a thrust towards the effective delivery of programmes, such as the Life Skills Health and Family Programmes, targeting out-of-school youths in order to empower them to appreciate themselves and respect others. Proper parenting programmes to teach good values and attitudes are also endeavours worth encouraging, she said. The Clothesline Project originated in Hyannis, Massachusetts from as early as 1990, through the Cape Cod Women’s Agenda. A group of women – many of whom had been subjected to acts of violence – designed the visual monument to help transform staggering statistics about violence against women and children into a powerful educational and healing tool. Recognizing that many women in close-knit neighborhoods have traditionally exchanged information over backyard fences while hanging their laundry out to dry, they decided to use the clothesline as an extension, as well as a symbol, of their stance against violence. Its purpose also serves to give a voice to survivors and victims of violence by breaking the silence about violence against women and children. There are many Clothesline Projects worldwide, resulting in tens of thousands of shirt designs. Taj Weekes, a Saint Lucian reggae artiste based in the United States of America, has been instrumental in bringing the initiative to the fore, especially in Saint Lucia, over the past few years. Other speakers at last Tuesday’s opening included Charms Gaspard, Director of Gender Relations; Taj Weekes; Alisha Ally, Public Relations Officer of the Saint Lucia Crisis Centre; Elizabeth Lewis, Director of Human Services; Mathilda Noel of Helpage Saint Lucia; and Prisca St. Paul, Director of the Upton Gardens Girls Centre. The exhibition, which forms part of activities to observe International Women’s Day, is open to the public at no charge and ends tomorrow, Friday, March 16.

Charms Gaspard Director of Gender Relations of Ministry of Health and Wellness, Valerie Albert HTS-Tv/Radio 100 personality, Hon. Alvina Reynolds, Minister of Health, Wellness and Gender Relations, Taj Weekes, international Reggae artiste/founder of TOCO charity, Claudius Francis HTS/Radio 100 Straight Up /Tv talk show host and President of the St. Lucia Senate and Mrs. Shirley Lewis, Chairperson of the Castries City Council.

Under the theme “One People, One Nation, Limitless Possibilities,” the St. Lucia House Foundation will present an event-filled independence gala on Saturday.

Ava Baptiste, St. Lucia’s minister of external affairs, international trade and civil aviation will be special guest at the formal affair — which features dinner, a raffle and awards presentation — at Grand Prospect Hall, 263 Prospect Ave. (between Fourth and Fifth Aves.) in Brooklyn, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Musician and philanthropist Taj Weekes will receive the foundation’s Humanitarian Award “for his selflessness and dedicated humanitarian efforts.” Weekes is founder of the They Often Cry Outreach charity, which aids underprivileged Caribbean children through sports, health, and enrichment programs.

 Photo Credit sista irie

Calabash TV

Calabash TV presents St. Lucian Reggae singer/songwriter Taj Weekes speaking about the alarming rate of diabetes on St. Lucia, which has the highest rate per capita in the world.

HTS St. Lucia

By Sant Justin

Students of the Dame Pearlette Louisy Primary School were treated to a jazz showcase on Monday. Principal Ethelyn Leonce says the activity is now in its fifth year. This year, "Jazz at the Dame" was downsized due to last year’s hurricane. Leonce says in previous years, the school has had national acts such as Boo Hinkson perform for students. 

Leonce says the event is held annually especially for students who did not attend the grand event. This year, Taj Weekes, who performed at mainstage jazz on Saturday, performed and presented a number of tokens to students.... moments before he boarded a plan to New York where he resides.

"Jazz at the Dame" is a one day activity meant to bring a real jazz atmosphere to the students.

ST. LUCIA STAR

By David Pascal

Young  footballers  are taking the opportunity to show off their skills under the watchful eyes of five United States coaches, in hopes of landing a scholarship overseas.

This initiative which is called They Often Cry Outreach  (TOCO)  Soccer Student Athletic Scholarship Program was officially launched on Thursday, inside the boardroom of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, who along with the St. Lucia Football Association (SLFA) and the Sacred Sports Foundation have teamed up.

TOCO, which is the brainchild of world renowned St Lucian artist Taj Weekes, is a US based non-profit organization whose mission is to help underprivileged, at risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean through sports, health and enrichment programs. TOCO's projects range from after school soccer programs, a diabetes awareness campaign, poverty initiatives, music and arts programs.

Taj Weekes (foreground) during a practice session with youngsters at the Marchand Grounds.

Over the past two years, TOCO has travelled to St. Lucia to deliver 500 soccer balls and 600 uniforms, distributed 2700 glucometers to encourage people to get tested for diabetes and have launched the Clothesline Project to address the issue of domestic violence in the Caribbean.

The TOCO Soccer Student Athletic Scholarship Program is under the supervision of the following five United States university soccer coaches. Their primary objective is to identify students who have the required grades and athleticism to achieve a scholarship to a US college or university: Mike Avery, Head Coach, Valparaiso University; Jeff Oleck, Assistant Head Coach, Valparaiso University; David Stroud, St. Joseph's College; Andy McCaslin, St. Mary's College; and Dan Thibault, Biola University.

At the press launch, President of the SLFA, Patrick Mathurin, embraced the TOCO Soccer Student Athletic Scholarship Program with open arms. He said: "The SLFA is more than happy to partner with anybody when it comes to football. It is our life; it is our mission and in the association we see it more than just a game. We believe that any initiative that involves young persons in terms of football is great. We are happy to partner with TOCO and the ministry to ensure that this particular activity comes off." He pointed out that this initiative falls within the SLFA's plans for the development of football and hopes it is not a one shot deal but the beginning of things to come.

With the assistance of Sacred Sports Foundation, Mathurin planned to contact over 150 young persons island wide to make them aware of the program. It officially got underway Friday evening at the Gros Islet Playing Field. On Saturday the program shifts to the George Odlum Stadium in Vieux Fort from 9 am to 12 noon.

There was a pre registration, however, individuals who are interested in attending the session in Vieux Fort should contact Sandra Alexander of the Sacred Sports Foundation at 758-518-0453. Acting Director of Youth & Sports, Claudia Jn Baptiste, welcomed the new initiative which she feels has a lot of opportunity for young persons.

She said: "For many years we have watched our talented young persons just fall by the wayside, especially when they leave secondary school where you have organized competitions. Most of them do not fall into the club structure so we are very happy that at least some of our young people will get an opportunity to receive an education and play the game they love.”

When that happens a lot of the credit should go St Lucia’s singer/songwriter Taj Weekes who founded TOCO. He is committed to utilizing his talents to bring awareness to the issues of poverty, global warming, HIV/Aids and diabetes through his music.

Speaking about TOCO’s football program, the founding member said: “We know the talent is there; we know the coaches exist and we are trying to bring it all together." Having played football while attending school, Weekes can relate to what young football players are going through. He pointed out that after playing football at his secondary school there was nothing else left. Weekes is proud of the fact he is able to come to St Lucia and assist in some way, not only this year but in years to come.

St. Lucia's Prime Minister Stephenson King declared a state of emergency yesterday, appealing for international help for St. Lucia's worst national disaster in recent history. Lives have been lost and many more are still missing.

The southern town of Soufriere and its neighbor Fond St. Jacques, near the landmark Pitons, have been hit the worst by the storm and many say the towns resemble a war zone. All roads to the area have been washed out and they are cut off from aid, supplies, electricity and water.

Other areas have experienced massive land and mudslides, floods, sinkholes, roads and bridges washed away. The island's fresh water supplies have been contaminated by mud and other pollutants creating an extremely serious lack of fresh water, which will have to be brought in from other islands and countries. Relief shelters are full and in dire need of supplies.

To all those who are able to share even a little bit with those less fortunate than yourself, please join me in sending down relief supplies to our friends in St. Lucia. Through our last several visits with TOCO, I have had the opportunity to come to know Valerie Albert of HTS, the wonderful youth of ICAN (youth group) in Soufriere and RISE in Castries and their impeccable leaders, Dr. Stephen King and Dr. Jacqueline Bird. We will be working in conjunction with Dr. King, Dr. Bird and Ms. Albert to ensure relief dollars and supplies are put to good use.

Taj Weekes with Crusader men's soccer players this past spring.For the second straight season, the Valparaiso men's soccer program is holding a charity game to raise money for They Often Cry Outreach (TOCO), as the Crusaders are waiving the standard admission charge for Friday’s game against Milwaukee at Brown Field and instead accepting monetary donations for TOCO. TOCO's founder, St. Lucian reggae artist Taj Weekes, will be in attendance at the game Friday night and will also be participating in a number of events on campus during the day.

Both cash and check donations will be accepted at the gate on Friday night for TOCO, with the Crusader men's soccer program matching dollar-for-dollar the money raised by the general public. The Crusaders will also be collecting new or gently used soccer equipment, athletic apparel and shoes, which will be distributed by TOCO to needy children in the Caribbean.

TOCO is a U.S.-based not-for-profit organization founded by Weekes which is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, at-risk and orphaned children in the Caribbean through sport, enrichment, educational and wellness programs. Valpo became involved with TOCO early in the 2008 season when it donated some used soccer equipment, and the partnership has blossomed over the last two years. The Crusaders were able to raise nearly $4,000 for TOCO last year at their charity game against Michigan.

Friday night's game will count as a CORE approved fifth-hour event for Valpo students in the first-year course. Weekes will be holding a discussion/Q&A with CORE students and faculty from 1-2:30 p.m. on Friday in the Union's Campus Café, and will also be meeting with Music Enterprise Student Association (MESA) from 11-11:50 a.m. in the VUCA. He will also be at the game, available for pictures, autographs and to talk about his charity and music, including his upcoming new album, "A Waterlogged Soul Kitchen."