Building a Cultural Bridge Through Good Deeds Day

On Good Deeds Day, a global day dedicated to doing good, millions of people across 115 countries volunteer and strengthen their communities. While each nation works locally to make a difference, the possibilities are endless when countries connect across borders.

That’s what took place when Saint Lucia and Togo, two countries thousands of miles away from each other across the Atlantic Ocean, decided to team up. It all started when a conversation between leaders from both nations opened the door to a cultural bridge linking the Caribbean and West Africa.

Joining Forces and Creating a Positive Impact
This unique partnership began in Abu Dhabi in 2022, when Diane Felicien, Good Deeds Day Leader for Saint Lucia and the Caribbean, met Kokou Petro Edouwossi, Leader of the Good Deeds Day Togo Network. They talked about their countries, volunteer movements, and how culture influences community service. That moment marked the beginning of a collaboration between the Caribbean and West Africa. 

In Saint Lucia, Good Deeds Day is far more than a one-day event. It’s become a year-round movement under the Do-Nation Foundation Inc., engaging youth, community groups, schools, and civil society. One of its most visible examples is the Good Deeds Day Saint Lucia Pageant, which is now in its fourth year. Unlike traditional pageants, service is at the forefront. Contestants are evaluated not just on their presentation, but on leadership, advocacy, community impact, and volunteerism.

In 2024, during the Good Deeds Day Asian Regional Conference in Busan, Felicien invited the Good Deeds Day Togo Network to share Togo’s story and cultural identity within the Saint Lucia movement. That exchange sparked a collaboration with the Grand Aflao Pageant, a community-based initiative aligned with the Good Deeds Day Togo Network that promotes leadership, service, and community pride.

A Cultural Exchange Across the Atlantic
When a delegation from Saint Lucia visited Togo, it was the start of something powerful. Delegates participated in community and children-focused outreach, and met traditional authorities and community leaders in the Grand Aflao area.

The visit was deeply meaningful for Saint Lucia. It offered a reconnection with African heritage and an opportunity for youth leaders to better understand their historical and cultural roots. For Togo, the exchange boosted community pride and highlighted the global relevance of volunteering locally. The partnership even extended over shared meals, with participants trying traditional Togolese dishes including fufu and akoumé. The impact was apparent when guests realized flavors and textures of the cuisine were familiar to those of their own culture.

A Growing Partnership Between Saint Lucia and Togo
The connection between both countries is only becoming stronger. Good Deeds Day Saint Lucia members are set to return to Togo before August 2026. The Miss Good Deeds Day Togo contest has also been launched, which was inspired by the Saint Lucia delegation’s visit. The initiative is designed to unite young women around community service. The competition, scheduled for November 2026, will engage volunteers across five regions in Togo and empower young women while directly benefiting the social causes they support.

The movement between Saint Lucia and Togo continues to bring people together in the spirit of service. It’s a reminder that when communities across borders unite, doing good knows no bounds.

Good Deeds Day, an annual global day of doing good, is the pinnacle of doing good year-round. Initiated in 2007 by businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison, Good Deeds Day has grown to 115 countries with millions of participants. Good Deeds Day 2026 will be on April 12.