Alvina Reynolds, former Minister of Health and Parliamentary Representative for Babonneau launches her first book on Wednesday December 11th at the Pastoral Centre, Marisule at 7 pm.
With her first publication, Step forward with faith, Ms Reynolds joins other Saint Lucian writers who have been contributing to our respected body of literature with their personal memoirs. These include Martha Isaac, Cornelius Robinson, Cletus Springer, Marcellus Joseph, Anderson Reynolds, Vernon Francois, David Samuels among others. This prose non-fiction genre is growing in quantity and quality alongside our well-known and internationally-recognised works of poetry, fiction and drama.
These biographies by Saint Lucians provide a valuable social and cultural history of Saint Lucia, covering all communities and across varied interests and occupations.
Ms Reynolds writes with enthusiasm about her childhood in Fond Assau, Babonneau, its neighborhoods and personalities, various dramatic adventures, her teaching career, educational studies in the UK and her life as a politician and Minister of Health. She touches on community issues: crime, abuse, diseases like AIDS and Dengue with an account of her close-up view of these and how she met the challenges as a Parliamentary Representative.
We also get an account of her travels with special attention to time spent in Kenya.
Through the accounts and reflected in the title, we meet a woman for whom a strong Christian faith is the foundation and guide for her life’s activities and involvements. Bible quotations anchor the chapters, and form the headings of many.
Step forward with faith is a faith-devotional as well as a memoir of a woman dedicated to her home community and the people of Saint Lucia. Ms. Reynolds has in recent times extended her contributions to Saint Lucian life as host of a popular talk-show titled “Step Forward.” Alvina Reynolds was born and raised in the community of Babonneau in the island of Saint Lucia, where she continues to reside. She is a passionate praise-and-worship leader. She has been a Teacher, School Guidance Counsellor, and a Health and Family Life Consultant. She has served a five-year term in the Parliament of Saint Lucia as the representative for the constituency of Babonneau and was also a Government Minister with responsibility for Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations.
Ms. Reynolds holds a Bachelor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Birmingham and a Masters of Arts (Merit) in International Social Work and Community Development from the University of East London
Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire, Saint Lucian Bishop of the Diocese of Dominica, has written of Ms Reynold’s new publication: “This book “Step Forward With Faith reflects the multi-faceted and multi-talented nature of the author in the midst of struggles and disappointments, fears and uncertainties, all giving way to successful outcomes through her prayerful interventions. Very evident in her exposé is the love for family and community, giving context to her personality, and indicative of the strength of her faith which has influenced her life and activities. They will ever remain as great lessons for a culture which is wanting of solid structures on which to build the present and future generations. This is her first publication written while on a recent two-month retreat in Kenya, East Africa “
The book launch will be hosted by FICS and Ms. Reynolds’ Step Forward Publications.
Any exposé coming from our Lucian Sista, Alvina Reynolds, on matters grounded in faith and spirituality, has to be something to look forward to, and I will therefore alight at the Pastoral Centre to check out the goodies. Congrats in advance, Alvina.