The Laborie We Want

In the middle of this global health crisis, as we all make every effort to protect ourselves and others from the coronavirus, let us take some time to prepare the future and reflect on The Laborie We Want.

 

In 2000-2001, the Laborie community conducted an innovative participatory process that led to the formulation of a Strategic Development Plan and the creation of the Laborie Development Foundation.

Over these two decades, a number of programmes and projects have been implemented or supported, particularly in community-based tourism, environmental management, physical planning and organisational development.

Twenty years later, it is time for us to revisit our vision and launch new initiatives.

We invite all Laborians and all friends of Laborie to look at this new draft vision statement and to provide feedback by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by commenting directly on our Facebook page.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will also be sharing information on the projects that we propose to implement in the next three years.

Laborie Development Foundation - March 2020

Our vision

A vibrant community where there is continuous improvement in the quality of life and where people are able to enjoy all the basic necessities and to participate fully in the process of development.

In this vision:

  • there is tolerance, respect and discipline in the community
  • all residents can feel secure and safe
  • there is a spirit and a practice of cooperation and volunteerism
  • residents can all enjoy mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health and wellness
  • skills and creativity are encouraged, and entrepreneurship is nurtured and facilitated
  • there is a good understanding and appreciation of history and heritage, and an active promotion of culture, contributing to pride and self-esteem
  • natural resources are conserved and managed, the environment is clean and healthy, and residents have equitable access to resources
  • there is a strong, resilient and diversified economy
  • the community is aware of the existing and potential impacts of external threats, including climate change, and equipped to adapt to and mitigate those threats

Working Together for a Co-ordinated Response

On 25 March 2020, the Laborie Development Foundation established a virtual platform to facilitate a community co-ordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform brings together community institutions, government officers and local resource people to share information and develop a common strategy to respond to the crisis. This platform allows Laborians to remain actively involved in activities and to make the community aware of the initiatives being taken. The District Representative is a part of this coordination mechanism. He contributes information and recommendations but is not involved in the actual implementation of activities nor with relevant agencies’ work on the ground.

TLWWIn 2019, the Laborie Development Foundation conducted a review of the strategic plan that was produced in 2011, and formulated a new vision statement entitled The Laborie We Want. The release of this statement online and on social media earlier this year coincided with the onslaught of the global health crisis.

Laborians and friends of Laborie – wherever they are in the world – are invited to assist this community in coping with the impact of the crisis and to help shape Laborie’s future.

We invite feedback on The Laborie We Want by:

  • Making comments on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ilovelaborie/.
  • Sending comments, ideas and recommendations by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We also call on Laborians and friends of Laborie to assist in the short-term recovery process by making donations towards the Laborie COVID-response Fund.

This Fund:

  • has been created by the Laborie Development Foundation;
  • is being managed, free of charge, by the Laborie Cooperative Credit Union;
  • will remain active until 30 September 2020 in the first instance.

Donations to the Fund are being allocated as follows:

  • 50% of all receipts is being transferred to the Laborie Medical Assistance Fund, which was created in 2005 to support people who need financial help to access diagnosis and treatment.
  • The balance is allocated to the local Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society to provide food and other essential items to vulnerable households, working closely with the Social Transformation Officer and the Welfare Officer responsible for Laborie and environs, ensuring that this support reaches the households that need it the most.

Donations can be made:

  • By transfers or deposits to account # 00010568 at the Laborie Cooperative Credit Union.
  • By certified foreign bank cheque payable to Laborie Development Foundation.

For donations by international wire transfers or PayPal, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will provide details.

All donations will be acknowledged and donors’ names will appear on www.ilovelaborie.com (unless they request to remain anonymous).

In advance, a BIG thank you for your contribution, however small or big.

April 2020