Business View Caribbean | Volume 8, Issue 10

12 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 8, ISSUE 10 We are on a mission to be a success story and blue print in the realm of sustainable development and we invite the world to join us on this noble mission Saint Lucia’s history, culture and cuisine with a uniquely Fond Gens Libre flair and flavor. When asked about his motivation and vision, Elliott explained: “Climate change and unsustainable development are looming existential threats with the potential to destroy our traditional way of life. Fond Gens Libre and its amazing story just might be the visitor experience that becomes an International Benchmark of Sustainable Tourism within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in the process helps heal and save the world.” Recently elected President Sherell James, in commenting on the symbolism of her community’s name opined: “What makes us free is our courage and willingness to fight for the development of our community. We will not be deterred by any obstacles, just like our ancestors. We are on a mission to be a success story and blue print in the realm of sustainable development and we invite the world to join us on this noble mission.” Powerfully aspirational comments from the new president. However, recalling that the 1795 Battle of Rabot led by the mulatto heroine Flore Bois Galliard was launched from Fond Gens Libre, we recognise James’ gallant spirit and our bets are on her to succeed. In this 1795 battle the freedom fighters of Fond Gens Libre won a decisive victory over the British who would have re-instated slavery in Saint Lucia had they won. The result was a year of unfettered freedom in which Blacks and Mulattoes who could read and write were placed at the head of some municipalities working alongside whites in the recently liberated French spirit of “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité” - Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. About the Author: Kirk Elliott is a National Geographic Certified Educator, a New York Times Photographer, and a Certified Sustainable Tourism in Small Island Developing States Advocate. He is also the founder and CEO of the St Lucia Photo Tour and Kirk Elliott Private St Lucia Experiences, ranked on TripAdvisor as the island’s # 1 Outdoor City Activity. Kirk is the creator of a novel idea he calls “Caring Entrepreneurship”. This idea seeks to create successful community-based sustainable tourism development through the synergy of a caring entrepreneur and a host community the entrepreneur mentors. Through this arrangement visitors get to enjoy an immersion in the authentic culture, history, cuisine and all round lived experiences of the community. Such immersive experiences connect visitors to the heartbeat of the communities in a very powerful way. These connections in turn allow both the visitor and the host community to truly enjoy and appreciate the power of sustainable development in general, and sustainable tourism in particular to help heal and save the world. http://StLuciaPhotoTours.com/valley-of-the-free