ST. LUCIA NOMINATION FOR 2009 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF

UNCLAS BRIDGETOWN 000636 SIPDIS DEPT FOR G/IWI AND WHA/CAR FROM AMBASSADOR OURISMAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM XL SUBJECT: ST. LUCIA NOMINATION FOR 2009 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD REF: STATE 99729 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) I am pleased to nominate Sister Anthonia David, St. Lucia, for the Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage for 2009 (biodata at end of cable). A highly qualified registered nurse and administrator of the Holly Family Children's Home, she has become a leading advocate for developing infrastructure in St. Lucia to address the consequences of domestic violence, with a particular focus on children who are abandoned or suffer abuse. End summary. Background on the Children's Home ¶2. (U) The Holy Family Children's Home was founded by the Archdiocese of Castries in collaboration with the Good News Group of Wisconsin, USA, and the Dominican Missionaries of N.D.D. in April ¶1997. Its vision is to provide wholesome care an education to all children who come to the Home and establish them in a family environment where they can be loved and nurtured. The home has a mandate to provide a loving and secure temporary home for children who are abandoned, orphaned, neglected or abused in their living environments, with a view of making long-term provisions for their care within a family atmosphere which is stable as well as socially, emotionally, and physically and spiritually enriching. Many of the children are still awaiting adoption and foster care. There 22 children presently living at the home, ranging in age from new born, to age 18. Sister Anthonia David's Leadership ¶3. (U) Sister Anthonia David has been the administrator of the Holly Family Children Home in St. Lucia for the last year. Prior to coming to the Children's home she worked as a nurse in a number of the leading hospitals in St Lucia. During her professional career of over 12 years, Sister Anthonia has worked closely with children, many of them victims of abuse. Sister Anthonia has played an instrumental role in managing the shelter, and in keeping the children safe and in helping them cope with somewhat traumatic events in their young life. She has been very active in fund raising, with a goal of increasing the number of children the house can accommodate. Sister Antonia has been working with other NGO's and the government to address the problem of domestic violence, especially against children and women. ¶4. (U) BIODATA Name: Anthonia David Job title : Administrator, Holly Family Children's Home Date of birth: October 3, 1974 Citizenship: St Lucia Address: Holly Family Children's Home, Cicerone, Caistres, St Lucia E-mail: holyfamhome@hotmail.com, totone3@hotmail.com Tel: 758-718-7934, 1-758-384-5073 Passport Number: 185896 Ms. David has been contacted about this nomination and is willing to be recognized. OURISMAN