Patrish Lionel: Community Advocate to Chevening Scholar

By Nelcia Charlemagne 2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for Patrish Lionel, a young Saint Lucian professional with roots in Jacmel and Vanard, Anse La Raye. Recently, she has been announced as one of Saint Lucia’s 2024 Chevening Scholars, and as a major contributor to “Stories of Roseau Valley”, a local publication that illuminates the community once the heartbeat of banana production. Her latest accomplishments are true to several of her passions: nature, the environment, culture and heritage preservation. At 23, she became the youngest serving President of the Morne Ciseaux, Bois d’Inde, Morne d’Or, Jacmel (MBMJ) Development Committee. There, she spearheaded and assisted in several impactful community initiatives. Eleven years later, Patrish is continuing to make an impact. “This publication marked a significant milestone in my life. Apart from being chosen for Chevening, authoring ‘Stories of Roseau Valley’ is one of my greatest accomplishments,” she said. Though not her first published work, putting “Stories of Roseau Valley” into the world has been “deeply fulfilling” for Patrish. “I saw the necessity and did not hesitate to be part of making this vision for the community a reality. It is an honour to contribute to this amazing initiative...