Fostering a Culture of Giving in the Caribbean

The spirit of caring and compassion is thriving in the Caribbean where there is a strong culture of neighbors helping neighbors. It’s no wonder that so many of the 26 island nations participate in Good Deeds Day.

Founded by philanthropist and  businesswoman Shari Arison, Good Deeds Day is a global movement that shares the belief that every person can do acts of kindness to improve the lives of others in their community. 

“I believe that if people will think good, speak good and do good, the circles of goodness will grow in the world,” Arison said.

This day of world-wide  volunteering began in 2007 in just one country and went global in 2011. Now, millions of people from 115 countries join together in doing good in their communities. This year, Good Deeds Day will take place on April 6.

St Lucia Leads the Way in Community Engagement and Social Impact
St Lucia has celebrated Good Deeds Day since 2018. Last year’s celebration broke all records for community engagement and social impact with a renewed spirit of volunteerism across the island country, according to Diane Felicien, founder and CEO of Do-Nation Foundation INC and the Good Deeds Day leader for St Lucia.

One of the outstanding projects was painting a mural and a cook-up in Canaries. This initiative saw young men from the community stepping up and leading a transformative event of creative expression and community involvement. Around 35 percent of the community participated.

Another event was the Ms Good Deeds Day Pageant that celebrated service. The event had over 300 attendees, but its impact was much larger with over  2 million views via social media. The pageant highlighted the efforts of young women to make a difference and showcased the women’s service-oriented projects and activism.

The 2025 lineup includes some exciting new community driven initiatives including the launch of the first-ever Little Good Deeds Day Club for children ages five to 14. Getting kids involved in volunteering young will keep them on the path of doing good.

There will be something for everyone including the inaugural Futsal tournament for youth, a soup kitchen initiative in rural communities to help the most vulnerable receive support, and a Good Deeds Day youth conference in Dominica.

Felicien said, “As the Caribbean and St Lucia Good Deeds Day Leader I am  thrilled about the road ahead and remain committed to fostering a culture of kindness, collaboration, and positive change.” 

Grenada’s Building a Culture of Goodwill
Grenada celebrated its first Good Deeds Day in 2024 through a partnership between ISG Cares and Good Deeds Day. It was off to a good start.

Approximately 15 volunteers spent two days refurbishing an early child development center in Laborie where they cleaned, painted, and installed new cabinets and furnishings, Nicole Cain, executive director, ISG Cares shared with Goodnet. The organization also partnered with local businesses to  provide books and food to bring to the Bel Air Children’s Home. Additional projects included tree plantings, a beach cleanup, and helping seniors.

Even more is planned for Good Deeds Day 2025 because of the great need after Hurricane Beryl, a powerful storm that impacted parts of the Caribbean in June 2024. Many of the activities will help the survivors of the hurricane rebuild their homes and lives.

“The people on the island of Petite Martinique lost over 90 percent of their roofs, and most of the trees and crops were destroyed, devastating the agriculture industry, Cain told Goodnet.

The Petite Martinique Renewal project will plant trees, establish a community garden, and will supply building materials for rebuilding.

Other projects on Good Deeds Day will involve helping seniors at the Grand Anse Home for the Aged and the children at the Queen Elizabeth Home for Children in St. George. All of this will help the island country recover and  will lead to a culture of collective goodwill.

Belize is Fostering Youth Involvement
While Belize is not technically part of the Caribbean since it is on the mainland of Central America, this country shares the same rich traditions as its island neighbors.

Belize began participating in Good Deeds Day in 2024 with projects that revolved around helping youth. In the inaugural year, students from Itz’at STEAM Academy handmade get-well cards and delivered them to patients at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The students cheered up the patients with the cards and treats that they brought, Charlotte Nal, CEO and founder of the Ixchel Caribe Foundation and the honorary consul to Belize for Naples Florida, told Goodnet. Other projects that involved young people included a park and beach cleanup.

The prime minister John Briceño and his wife  Rossana Briceño supported this initiative and other Good Deeds Day events and helped foster a culture of giving and kindness .

This year, Good Deeds Day is planning even more activities that focus on youth involvement. Youth groups will be participating in refurbishing an elementary school and a youth group will be assisting elderly people who live alone. High schools across the country will be doing community projects that include helping to feed the hungry and various park and beach cleanups. By encouraging youth participation is creating a culture of giving back to their communities.

“This expanded program aims to engage young people across Belize in meaningful service activities, fostering a sense of social responsibility and community engagement. By involving schools, youth groups, and corporations, Belize is creating a comprehensive approach to Good Deeds Day that will have a lasting impact on communities throughout the country,” Nal said.