Castries East Constituency

07/09/2026

☀️WORKING IN THE HEAT? STAY SAFE!🧢💧
High temperatures can put workers at risk of heat related illness. Know the warning signs and take steps to protect yourself while on the job.

05/09/2026

Great Vibes at 18th Castries East Maths Quiz & Honouring Ceremony

After two tie-breakers, Sirshorn Charles emerged as the champion of the 18th Castries East Maths Quiz & Honouring Ceremony on Saturday, 29th August 2026 at the Romanus Lansiquot Human Resource & Development Centre, Entrepot.

The theme this year was, “Investing in Potential; Transforming Communities."

Created by Parliamentary Representative Hon. Philip J. Pierre, the annual event aims to spark interest in mathematics among primary school students in Castries East, while recognizing the top performers attending Primary schools in the Constituency at the annual Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), formally known as Common Entrance Exams.

Five participants started the contest. These were: Isaac William (Ti Rocher Primary School); Cjay Auguste (Bocage Combined School); Sirshorn Charles (Bishop Gachet Primary School); Demarcus Dupre (Ti Rochet Primary School); and Juanita Anius (Bishop Charles Gachet School).

Ms. Samantha Farrell served as Head Judge, sitting in for retired veteran educator, Andrea Bourne whose eminent presence in the chair was sorely missed. Ms. Rochel James served as Timekeeper.

1st Place went to Sirshorn Charles, who won a trophy, an undisclosed monetary prize and a laptop computer; 2nd Place went to Juanita Anius – awarded a trophy, school supplies, and a monetary prize; and Isaac William came third, winning a trophy, a school bag and supplies, and a monetary prize.
Following explanation of the rules by Quizz Master, Jeanmiel Philip, competitors battled it out in a tough first round from which three three advanced to a tense Championship Round.

In his address to participants and audience, Hon. Philip J. Pierre - a seven-time Parliamentary Representative and current two-term Prime Minister—congratulated the students, reminding them that their selection for the contest was based purely on merit, performance, and potential.

He enlightened the youth on the opportunities available, saying that unlike earlier generations, every child today is guaranteed a secondary education. He highlighted ongoing developments in Castries East, including the major renovations at Entrepot Secondary School, set for completion later this year; and a new school water-harvesting initiative, to be launched at Bishop Charles Gachet Primary.

Mr Pierre emphasized that success is achievable for anyone in Saint Lucia, regardless of their background, but that ultimately depends on individual drive, self-discipline and the ability to pace one's efforts. He cautioned against partisan political opposition voices preaching gloom and doom for Saint Lucia, and he urged the youth to stay inspired by local success stories—such as working-class youth graduating to become medical doctors and other professionals for service to their country.

Prime Minister Pierre concluded by joining the Ministry of Education, teachers, and parents in wishing all students a successful start to the new academic year on Tuesday, September 1.

This year organisers added a new feature -- a motivational talk to participants. It was delivered by Dr. Meghan Mangal, who addressed the students on the topic,“New School, New Me... But Still Me: Taking Care of Your Mind.”

Mr. Amil Octave served as Guest Speaker, while Attorney-at-Law Mrs. Shahida Charlemagne-Octave served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

The vote of thanks was given by the 2025 Maths Quiz Champion, Prince O'Reilly.

02/09/2026

"Together We Can"
SLP Micoud South Constituency AGM

"We need unity in this constituency; this is the only way we can bring this seat back to the Saint Lucia Labour Party where we belong. We have done it before and we will do it again."

This clarion call by caretaker candidate, Senator Dr Shanda Lee Harracksingh, was repeated several times during her address to a cheering audience at the Ti Rocher Community Centre (Micoud), on Sunday 30 Aug, 2026.

The theme of the Micoud South Constitutncy Annual General Meeting was `Together We Can'.

SWING FACTOR

That was significant, for the simple reason that the Micoud South Constituency, though a traditional UWP stronghold, has fallen to Labour once before when there was a national swing in 1997. However, despite the national swing to 'Red' that dislodged a non-performing, unpopular UWP Government in 2021, Micoud South, along with Choiseul, stayed with the 'Yellow' Party.

It gets more baffling when one considers that the boarder constituency, Micoud North, which had stayed Yellow since inception, fell to in 2021 and remained Red in 2025.

WIPEOUT

Political pundits are still mulling over the strange outcome of Micoud South continuing in the 'Yellow' camp, in spite of the re-election of Labour in 2025 with all but the Micoud South seat, held by UWP Political Leader and former Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet. There was very little doubt among the pundits that the near electoral wipeout of the UWP from parliament on December 1, 2025, was due to widespread disapproval of Allen Chastanet's leadership. Yet, Chastanet maintained his hold on Micoud South to become the sole survivor of the slate of candidates he presented to the electorate.

WHERE IS 'DEY-RAH-SO'?

Chastanet is the worst candidate ever presented to Micoud South. He admitted early during the 2016 campaign that he did not know the constituency, where Kweyol is spoken like a first language. He confirmed this by woefully mis-pronouncing the name of its main community, Desruisseaux, which he embarrassingly re-named 'Dey-rah-so'. His privileged upbringing in Martinique, Castries and Canada (he himself affirmed, 'I am a product of Canada') is far-removed from the working class constituency mainly dependent on farming, fishing, cottage industries and remittances from family abroad.

SHANDA LEE IS MORE DETERMINED

Therefore, Dr Harracksingh was sentimental with this fitting reminder to the audience at the Ti Rocher AGM: "I was born here, raised here, went to school here, and became a medical doctor to help you. I love you, I am one of you...with God everything is possible."

Left to good reason she should have won the election because she was the better candidate, with the added advantage of riding on the overall policy achievements and popularity of Political Leader and Prime Minister Philip J Pierre.

It means that other factors related to constituency organisation may have conspired against Shanda's electoral success. That indicator was evident in the theme of the AGM, 'Together We Can', and Shanda's repeated pleas for "unity" in the constituency.

However, all speakers at the AGM, including an array of MPs, Party frontliners, and Political Leader and Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, were resolutely optimistic about the return of the Micoud South seat to the Labour Party. Mr Pierre brought back memories of a time when Micoud South was a pie-in-the-sky to the SLP. Now times have changed. It's now a competitive seat, compelling Chastanet to keep an active presence. Last election SLP pressure drove him from his upperclass enclave in Rodney Bay to take up a semblance of 'residence' in Micoud South. Most people laughed it off!

NEVER FORGET THE PEOPLE

Mr Pierre instructed the SLP branch in Micoud South, and nationally, to "never forget the people" because they are the ones who take you up and take you down. He used the history of former stalwart Peter Josie as an example, noting that his once tremendous popularity among SLP supporters, all came to zero. Josie "lost his way and "lost his deposit."

The political leader assured the audience that, "one politician who will not lose his way is Philip J Pierre."

02/09/2026

01/09/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19fx8RkzdQ/

As our children return to the classroom, I am reminded that preparing for a new school year is not only the responsibility of parents. Government must also be prepared.

For my Government, that preparation has meant working to ease the financial pressure on families through the $500 Form One bursary, free laptops, payment of school facilities fees, support for CSEC examinations, book bursaries and other back-to-school assistance, while continuing to invest in our schools and the people who make education possible.

I know what education can mean for a child and for a family. It can change the direction of a life. That is why we will continue doing our part to ensure that our students enter the classroom with greater support and a fair opportunity to succeed.

To our students, teachers, parents and school communities: welcome to the new school year. Let us make it a successful one.

01/09/2026

🏠 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐘: $𝟓𝟒 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐏 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐋𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐀 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄

For years, homeownership has felt out of reach for too many working Saint Lucians. High interest rates, upfront costs and strict financing requirements can turn the dream of owning a home into a waiting game.

The Pierre Administration is moving to change that.

On 25 August 2026, the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) and the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a $54 million financing agreement aimed at expanding access to affordable mortgages for first-time homeowners, particularly low and middle-income workers and public servants.

And this is where the deal gets practical:

🏦 Less than 5% interest
💯 100% financing for eligible public servants through the existing NIC-guaranteed SLDB facility
📄 Stamp duty waived on the first $100,000
⚖️ $1,000 government grant toward legal costs for successful applicants

Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre also had a clear message for the SLDB: be flexible and agile with applicants while maintaining proper due diligence.

In plain language? Do the checks — but don't make ordinary working people jump through unnecessary hoops.

That matters.

Because affordable housing policy should not live only in Budget speeches and campaign manifestos. It should eventually produce mortgages, house plans, front doors and keys.

The housing deficit will not disappear overnight, but $54 million in affordable financing is a serious step in the right direction.

Less talk about homeownership.
More people actually getting a chance to own one. 🔑🏠

That is what turning a promise into policy looks like.

31/08/2026

As we prepare for the start of the new academic school year, it is important that the health and well-being of children, teachers and parents are protected. Let us make it our focus to ensure that a child is healthy, active and smart.

31/08/2026

The Department of Equity notifies clients of the Public Assistance Program (PAP), that payments for the month of August, 2026 commence Tuesday, September 1 to Thursday, September 3, 2026

For more info contact: 468-5103/5108 (Castries) and 454-6478 (Vieux Fort).

30/08/2026

Work Hard, Party Hard With CEWO Another well-patronized community fund-raiser by the Castries East Women's Organisation (CEWO). Saturday started with early morning breakfast, and continued with a BBQ evening outside the Marchand Community Centre. These photos capture the interest of people near and far in the 'lime', which raises funds to assist with feeding programmes, financial aid and other worthy activities in the Constituency at large. CEWO has been at it for over 9 years, doing their bit to make living more comfortable for especially lower income families in the Castries East Constituency. The fund-raisers also provide an opportunity for some well-needed recreation and relaxation for the folks of the vibrant Marchand community and beyond.