There was a time in St. Lucia when we cared about and looked after each other, when children respected and showed deference to their elders, when violent crimes, murder especially, were almost nonexistent. A time when it appeared that we loved our neighbors as ourselves, when community cohesiveness and togetherness held strong. But it seems that in recent times population growth, greater mobility, electronic and information technology, economic development, drug trafficking, and greater exposure to external influences have combined to weaken the threads that bind us together into strong, cohesive families and communities.
These rapid changes and accompanying erosions in the fabric of society, along with perpetually high rates of joblessness, have contributed to growing despondency, hopelessness, disconnectedness and sense of disenfranchisement among our youths. Unsurprisingly, our society is now plagued with such social ills as homelessness, vagrancy, child neglect, and an escalating violent crime rate.
In cases where families and communities can no longer maintain the social restraints, grounded-ness, and sense of belonging that make for a stable and smooth functioning society, government and social institutions usually fill in the vacuum. Unfortunately, however, in St. Lucia their involvement falls far short of the challenge.
Recognizing this need, VieuxFort businessman and community activists, Alexander Clarke, has come up with the JUST LOVE concept, which, through sports, art and culture, volunteerism,and youth and community outreach programs, aims to rebuild the social fabric of our communities, foster greater community togetherness, rekindle the notion that we are our brother’s keeper, channel the energies and talents of our youth into positive, creative, life-enriching activities, and hopefully in the process reduce the country’s crime rate and some of its other social ills.
