By the Caribbean Journal staff

The University of Vermont in the United States recently completed a two week trip in St Lucia, working on a number of social, economic and educational development projects on the island.

The visit is actual an annual one, part of a mutual cooperation agreement between the university and St Lucia’s Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs.

Since 2005, UVM has donated books to five schools in St Lucia, along with a donation to schools affected after Hurricane Tomas.

The school also helped establish computer labs at the Grace Combined School in Vieux-Fort and at the Dugard Combined School in Choiseul.

“The government of St Lucia is very committed to this agreement between the University of Vermont and this ministry, and the benefits that have accrued from this exchange [are] also having economic impact in addition to the sociocultural dimension,” said Sen. Ubaldus Raymond, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry.

Raymond said allocation had ben made in the government’s budget to facilitate the annual visit as part of future plans for cooperation.

Most recently, the university set up a micro-hydro system and solar panel at Latille Waterfall in Micoud, and a wind turbine in Praslin. It also developed a kitchen garden curriculum for primary schools and a sport-centred HIV/AIDS education programme.