Volunteer in St. Lucia to Help Children Thrive

Chemida Popo-Cox is our Country Manager in St. Lucia and our Volunteer Preparation Coordinator. She leads all our volunteer programs in St. Lucia.  As a native St. Lucian, a mother, community leader and long-time educator, Chemida is uniquely suited to guide volunteers’ contributions to our host community and to promote our work across the island. Formerly a teacher and acting principal at Anse la Raye Primary School, Chemida has been engaged with Global Volunteers’ teams since our partnership began in 2012. She received her associate degree in Teacher Education and Education Administration from Sir Arthur Lewis Community College in St. Lucia and began her teaching career. In 2011, she graduated magna cum laude from New York City College of Technology, with a Bachelor’s degree in Teachers Technology Education.

Your health, safety and security is our top priority in St. Lucia. Your lodging, food and transportation are provided always with a mind to protect you while at the work site and in your hotel. Your team leader is trained in CPR and first aid. Read more about health and safety here.

Outdoor work exposes you to sunburn, heat exhaustion and insect bites. Sunscreen, insect repellent and frequent breaks for rest and water are recommended. Your team leader will guide you in appropriate health and safety precautions. Do not drink tap water or purchase food from street vendors to avoid illness. We strongly recommend you consult your own physician, public health clinic and/or travel clinic for detailed travel health information. For general recommendations, consult the following sources:

Centers for Disease Control | Health Canada Online | Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Global Volunteers includes emergency medical evacuation insurance in your volunteer service program fee. We also recommend health insurance that covers you while you are outside your home country, and trip cancellation insurance in the event you must cancel your participation on the service program. Your travel agent can refer you to travel insurance providers. Click here to read risks associated with international travel.

Ample time is available on evenings and weekends to enjoy the numerous free time activities in and near the host community. St. Lucia is an “ocean lover’s paradise.” The waters are clean, clear and warm. Swimming, snorkeling, hiking, biking and sunbathing on the beach are all options. The hotel offers qualified staff and lessons for first-time and inexperienced scuba divers. Other cultural and recreational activities include:

• Catameran cruises
• Island excursions, including plantation houses, colorful craft markets, and tropical rain forests.
• Tour of Pigeon Island National Park on the northern coast
• Tours to Soufrière, a resort town on the west coast, world-renowned for its two imposing Pitons and active volcano.
• Friday night fish fry – local fishermen and their families cook and sell lobster, fish and lamb.

While our non-profit status prohibits us from planning your free-time activities, our team leaders and consultants can provide general guidance and advice, including a list of activities explored and enjoyed by previous teams.

Childcare, labor and tutoring projects in St. Lucia are “family friendly,” and because of the congenial Caribbean culture, children 8 and up serve as full team members with their family. We work with you to arrange volunteer assignments to provide variety and appropriate family supervision. For instance, the youngest child volunteers can encourage, care for and play with pre-schoolers – helping on the playground and with story time. Teen volunteers can tutor local young adults and assist with on labor projects. Moms and dads, together with their children, practice English pronunciation with primary school students in classrooms or small groups. The pace is gentle, and the community is inclusive of families of all backgrounds and compositions. Even a walk around town turns into a lesson on resource allocation and conservation, living within meager means, and how we’re all more alike than different.