Showing posts with label Dominica. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dominica. Show all posts
Friday, August 22, 2014
Child Abuse Fair
Friday, July 25, 2014
Fire! Did somebody say FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Delroy Nesta Williams
Late yesterday afternoon, I got a call inviting me to a “lecture”
just as I was about to take a nap. It was at 7:30 at the Dominica State College
(DSC). My friend said something about “fire” so I figured it would be
interesting to attend. I dragged myself up and after taking a quick shower,
opened my eyes and made my way up to Stockfarm.
I was early, a big shocker since I had picked up the habit
of strolling in late, not fashionably though, to these types of activities. My
friend had said lecture and fire but what she should have said was a Holy Ghost
awakening.
 |
| God Sent warming up the crowd |
I was greeted by the sounds of God Sent as I made my
way to my chair; that was after wandering around the grounds of the Dominica
State College and taking in the view of Roseau. God Sent performed a few of my
favourite songs, Heaven to me, Pressing On and of course, I Know Who I Am by
Sinach, which happens to be a crowd favourite and literal anthem for Christians
on the island.
What I met at the DSC was a melting pot of Caribbean and American
youth, all gathered to praise the Lord. There were young people there from Dominica (obviously), the United States of America, St. Lucia, Barbados, Trinidad and
Tobago, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica and a lone representative from the
Turks and Caicos Islands who did more than just represent her country, she
roared into action when she was called upon by lead singer of God Sent - Carlvin
Deravaliere.
The night featured a personal testimony by Emanuel “Manny”
Onhome, who spoke of his African upbringing and his encounter with an American missionary, that brought him to the United States through a basketball scholarship. He excelled
academically and in his personal business while in the US, eventually getting
married and raising a family. It wasn’t until his alcoholic father died though,
that he had an awakening and after the Lord put a few angels in his path to
guide him, that he founded Samaritan’s Feet.
Since inception Samaritan’s Feet has distributed shoes to
more than 4.5 million people, including Dominicans (the festival participants
had done a distribution drive across Dominica that very day). Basically, his
story involved a full circle experience that started from receiving a pair of
sneakers from the missionary to now providing shoes to millions, complimented
by his message of hope and betterment in the Lord.
 |
| Fully Ignited crowd reacts to God Sent |
As Manny said at end his testimony, “sometimes all it takes
is a little spark to create a raging inferno” and he proved it with his
demonstrative words and charisma across the stage. I particularly enjoyed how
he mingled with the French translator.
For more information on Samaritan’s feet and to read more
about Manny’s story, go to www.samaritan’s feet.org
The Caribbean Baptist Youth Fellowship, Youth Festival 2014
continues all week long with visits to the Princess Margaret Hospital, Chances
Children Home and Operation Youth Quake, a health fair, a sports day and a
gospel show, featuring His Excellency, a Barbadian-based Dominican gospel artist
(I am looking forward to seeing my schoolmate perform). The gospel show takes
place at the Newtown Savannah from 7:00pm
After being skeptical about the “lecture” and “fire” I must
admit that I left the “Fully Ignited, Radically Engaged.”
Thank you to my friend for the invite.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
There's a new district council in town
The Roseau Valley and Roseau North Youth District held a meeting yesterday and elected a new
executive to direct its programs and activities over the next two years...
Congratulations to the following individuals who were elected:
Delroy Nesta Williams - President
Cornel Charles - Vice President
Secretary - Fatima Noel
Treasurer - Moreen Deravariere
Committee members - Dia George, Annika Cyprien and Britney Anselm
The President in his first address to the group indicated that he hopes to touch every community within the district during his term and ensure that members of the Executive learn and develop themselves and community along the journey.
The National Youth Council of Dominica wish them all the best and pledges its support and assistance to develop the youth of the district and by extension all young people of Dominica.
There first order of business is a meeting on the 23rd of July to put in place activities to stimulate youth of the district.
Congratulations to the following individuals who were elected:
Delroy Nesta Williams - President
Cornel Charles - Vice President
Secretary - Fatima Noel
Treasurer - Moreen Deravariere
Committee members - Dia George, Annika Cyprien and Britney Anselm
The President in his first address to the group indicated that he hopes to touch every community within the district during his term and ensure that members of the Executive learn and develop themselves and community along the journey.
The National Youth Council of Dominica wish them all the best and pledges its support and assistance to develop the youth of the district and by extension all young people of Dominica.
There first order of business is a meeting on the 23rd of July to put in place activities to stimulate youth of the district.
Friday, June 27, 2014
Beating youth unemployment through entrepreneurship
By Carlos Pascal
In 2012, nearly seventy five (75) million young people between the ages of fifteen (15) and twenty four (24) were unemployed worldwide, and 14.3 percent of those young people lived in Latin America, including the Caribbean.
Considering this alarming rate of unemployment, Caribbean governments have put forth a number of initiatives to provide their youth with basic skills and opportunities to find gainful work.
However, there is still more to be done. At a time of considerable economic decline, youth entrepreneurship and careful monitoring of programs are promising solutions because these measures provide young people with the means to be self-employed and to remain so for an extended period of time.
There are numerous reasons why high unemployment rates exist among young people throughout the region.
First, the recent global economic downturn characterized by “recession, debt service obligations, and declines in development assistance” significantly decreased the number of job openings available.
For example, as a result of the crisis, Jamaica’s overall labor force decreased by 2.7 percent in 2010. This resulted in the loss of 16,000 jobs for youths between the ages of 14 and 24 from October 2009 to October 2010.
Meanwhile in Barbados, in 2011, while the overall unemployment rate was 11.2 percent, the youth unemployment rate was more than double that, at 28.9 percent. It is evident that youth are especially vulnerable to being out of a job during times of general economic hardship.
The problem here is that too many young people feel that they are “entitled” to a job from Government or some other institution.
Allow me for a moment to present you with a scenario. Let us say in 2013 1,800 students were enrolled in Dominica State College (DSC), now let us assume that in 2014 1,000 of those students will graduate. Out of that 1,000 let us make another assumption that 100 of them did Accounting and are now hoping to enter the world of work with their degree in hand.
Now this group of 100 will certainly expect that since they have endured the stresses of college life, their just reward would be a stable paying job which would aid them along the path of life.
Isn’t this what our parents taught us after all, to go to school, learn and get a job.
But, what this group of 100 Accounting majors will slowly realize after they have passed there resume around every bank, government department, etc, is that there are only a certain amount of accountants that a country can handle at a time.
Now, what happens to this group of 100 you may ask, sadly the majority of them will remain at home and call local radio stations and programs and say “the country tight”.
Then the cycle continues year after year after year.
What might be the solution to this enigma you might ask; there is one word for it - “ENTREPRENURSHIP.”
In political economics, entrepreneurship is a process of identifying and starting a business venture, sourcing and organizing the required resources and taking both the risks and rewards associated with the venture.
But, for the sake of this article let us say it is the ability to identify a problem faced by a large group of people and find a way to make a profit by solving it.
This, my friends, should be the future of our country. It is through this that we can take control of our financial destiny.
Now you may be asking, how can I be an entrepreneur when I do not have capital? Well my friends there are programs put in place to solve that problem.
Institutions such as the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) and the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) are waiting on young, aspiring entrepreneurs.
If after reading this you are still doubtful or second guessing yourself, then let me leave you with a few wise words from the immortal Nelson Mandela "It is always impossible."
In 2012, nearly seventy five (75) million young people between the ages of fifteen (15) and twenty four (24) were unemployed worldwide, and 14.3 percent of those young people lived in Latin America, including the Caribbean.
Considering this alarming rate of unemployment, Caribbean governments have put forth a number of initiatives to provide their youth with basic skills and opportunities to find gainful work.
However, there is still more to be done. At a time of considerable economic decline, youth entrepreneurship and careful monitoring of programs are promising solutions because these measures provide young people with the means to be self-employed and to remain so for an extended period of time.
There are numerous reasons why high unemployment rates exist among young people throughout the region.
First, the recent global economic downturn characterized by “recession, debt service obligations, and declines in development assistance” significantly decreased the number of job openings available.
For example, as a result of the crisis, Jamaica’s overall labor force decreased by 2.7 percent in 2010. This resulted in the loss of 16,000 jobs for youths between the ages of 14 and 24 from October 2009 to October 2010.
Meanwhile in Barbados, in 2011, while the overall unemployment rate was 11.2 percent, the youth unemployment rate was more than double that, at 28.9 percent. It is evident that youth are especially vulnerable to being out of a job during times of general economic hardship.
The problem here is that too many young people feel that they are “entitled” to a job from Government or some other institution.
Allow me for a moment to present you with a scenario. Let us say in 2013 1,800 students were enrolled in Dominica State College (DSC), now let us assume that in 2014 1,000 of those students will graduate. Out of that 1,000 let us make another assumption that 100 of them did Accounting and are now hoping to enter the world of work with their degree in hand.
Now this group of 100 will certainly expect that since they have endured the stresses of college life, their just reward would be a stable paying job which would aid them along the path of life.
Isn’t this what our parents taught us after all, to go to school, learn and get a job.
But, what this group of 100 Accounting majors will slowly realize after they have passed there resume around every bank, government department, etc, is that there are only a certain amount of accountants that a country can handle at a time.
Now, what happens to this group of 100 you may ask, sadly the majority of them will remain at home and call local radio stations and programs and say “the country tight”.
Then the cycle continues year after year after year.
What might be the solution to this enigma you might ask; there is one word for it - “ENTREPRENURSHIP.”
In political economics, entrepreneurship is a process of identifying and starting a business venture, sourcing and organizing the required resources and taking both the risks and rewards associated with the venture.
But, for the sake of this article let us say it is the ability to identify a problem faced by a large group of people and find a way to make a profit by solving it.
This, my friends, should be the future of our country. It is through this that we can take control of our financial destiny.
Now you may be asking, how can I be an entrepreneur when I do not have capital? Well my friends there are programs put in place to solve that problem.
Institutions such as the Dominica Youth Business Trust (DYBT) and the National Development Foundation of Dominica (NDFD) are waiting on young, aspiring entrepreneurs.
If after reading this you are still doubtful or second guessing yourself, then let me leave you with a few wise words from the immortal Nelson Mandela "It is always impossible."
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Green Day at ITSS
By Mishell Abraham
Students of Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) were reminded to stick to the principles of the 4-H movement.
National 4-H coordinator, Shirley Alexander addressed the student body at a special assembly on to observe its third annual Green Day on May 21.
She applauded the school’s principal, teachers and Clubites for their continued effort, support and participation in the 4H activities year round.
The activity was in an effort to create awareness about the club and its work at the school. Most of the student body was either dressed in green or white for the event and it was originally put together by Bert Paul, a 4H leader.
The assembly started off with a short worship session where the staff and students sang songs of praise to the Almighty.
Following this, ITSS Clubites gave a presentation to the general school population on the club and more importantly how anyone of them could be a great asset to the organization.
President of the National Youth Council of Dominica (NYCD), Jahisiah Benoit, pointed out the benefits being part of such a club and the importance of having it within the school system.
Special recognition awards and gifts were presented to a few teachers for their dedication and hard work with the club over the past school year.
Those teachers were Mrs. Glennora Paquette, Mrs.Heskar Charter, Mr. Jameson Julien, Mr Jerwin Ambo and Ms. Cherese Martin.
4-H member, Curtley Pascal was awarded the prize for most outstanding 4-H member for the past school year.
4-H leader, Bert Paul expressed his deep appreciation to everyone who participated and supported the assembly with hope that in future it would be a bigger event.
Students of Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) were reminded to stick to the principles of the 4-H movement.
National 4-H coordinator, Shirley Alexander addressed the student body at a special assembly on to observe its third annual Green Day on May 21.
 |
| 4-H National Coordinator addresses the gathering |
She applauded the school’s principal, teachers and Clubites for their continued effort, support and participation in the 4H activities year round.
The activity was in an effort to create awareness about the club and its work at the school. Most of the student body was either dressed in green or white for the event and it was originally put together by Bert Paul, a 4H leader.
The assembly started off with a short worship session where the staff and students sang songs of praise to the Almighty.
Following this, ITSS Clubites gave a presentation to the general school population on the club and more importantly how anyone of them could be a great asset to the organization.
 |
| section of the student population |
Special recognition awards and gifts were presented to a few teachers for their dedication and hard work with the club over the past school year.
Those teachers were Mrs. Glennora Paquette, Mrs.Heskar Charter, Mr. Jameson Julien, Mr Jerwin Ambo and Ms. Cherese Martin.
4-H member, Curtley Pascal was awarded the prize for most outstanding 4-H member for the past school year.
4-H leader, Bert Paul expressed his deep appreciation to everyone who participated and supported the assembly with hope that in future it would be a bigger event.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Are young women the key to curbing the drug lifestyle?
by Delroy “Nesta” Williams
I must tell you that this article isn't against women or a part of the blame game. It is merely an insight into the mind of men, more particularly disadvantaged and marginalized young men.
The Caribbean has been plagued with an increase in crime and violence, something that has been outlined in numerous reports and more recently in the Eye on the Future Report - a report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development supported by the United Nations Development Programme in January 2010. A significant portion of those negative actions have been targeted towards and perpetrated by youth, and more particularly young men. A statement in the report indicates that in 2005, Dominican youth were 46 percent of homicide victims, yet represented only 38% of the general population. So in truth and in fact, we are hurting our own selves.
Many academics have spent many an hour and much money delving into the reasons why young people get involved in criminal behavior and it has been ascribed to a number of issues including socio-economic background, peer pressure, influence of American media, etc. However the role of young women and their acceptance of deviant behavior haven’t been exposed as a contributing factor to this phenomenon.
Young men, and more importantly Caribbean men, have always sought acceptance from young women. I would go as far as saying that their every action is directed at attracting the opposite sex. In the tradition of things, young men go to school, to get an education which would lead to a secure job in other to attract their partners but now with modernization and the “fast” money lifestyle, young men have been magnetized towards drugs and crime to fulfill their lofty ambitions. The end-goal though, is still the same – to attract the female partner(s).
Our society has shifted a lot of its core values; more “deviant” behavior is accepted than would have been the case several years ago - for better and for worse as well. The acceptance of the “Papas” into our society has created a certain security and economical gateway for the “ghetto” youth but for only a few. However it is that few, that seems to be the greatest influence, marshaling the onlookers to want to emulate them. The drug lifestyle in itself has brought a wave of crime and violence, like something out of the “New Jack City” movie where Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown, easily turned a New York City block into his own drug fortress. Our own versions of this television character now runs our communities, maybe not with the precision and tenacity as in the movies, but from all indications this is what it is developing into right before our own eyes.
However in New Jack City, we saw how Snipes had a change of heart, influenced by his love for the female gender and how that love was even greater than his love of the criminal lifestyle. He ended up being wheelchair-bound but still with the love of his woman and son. Maybe that should be the lesson we learn from that movie, the role and influence of a woman on man’s ambitions.
If our women, our young women disassociate themselves from the criminal element, this could prove an eye opener for them and spur them to change from this negative lifestyle but that is a big IF, because the young women themselves seem to love and flourish from the gains thereof.
It’s a vicious cycle, this drug problem and more complex than could be tacked from a mere article but it is my hope that I have raised some level of awareness and opened up an area for discussion.
The Caribbean has been plagued with an increase in crime and violence, something that has been outlined in numerous reports and more recently in the Eye on the Future Report - a report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development supported by the United Nations Development Programme in January 2010. A significant portion of those negative actions have been targeted towards and perpetrated by youth, and more particularly young men. A statement in the report indicates that in 2005, Dominican youth were 46 percent of homicide victims, yet represented only 38% of the general population. So in truth and in fact, we are hurting our own selves.
Many academics have spent many an hour and much money delving into the reasons why young people get involved in criminal behavior and it has been ascribed to a number of issues including socio-economic background, peer pressure, influence of American media, etc. However the role of young women and their acceptance of deviant behavior haven’t been exposed as a contributing factor to this phenomenon.
Young men, and more importantly Caribbean men, have always sought acceptance from young women. I would go as far as saying that their every action is directed at attracting the opposite sex. In the tradition of things, young men go to school, to get an education which would lead to a secure job in other to attract their partners but now with modernization and the “fast” money lifestyle, young men have been magnetized towards drugs and crime to fulfill their lofty ambitions. The end-goal though, is still the same – to attract the female partner(s).
Our society has shifted a lot of its core values; more “deviant” behavior is accepted than would have been the case several years ago - for better and for worse as well. The acceptance of the “Papas” into our society has created a certain security and economical gateway for the “ghetto” youth but for only a few. However it is that few, that seems to be the greatest influence, marshaling the onlookers to want to emulate them. The drug lifestyle in itself has brought a wave of crime and violence, like something out of the “New Jack City” movie where Wesley Snipes as Nino Brown, easily turned a New York City block into his own drug fortress. Our own versions of this television character now runs our communities, maybe not with the precision and tenacity as in the movies, but from all indications this is what it is developing into right before our own eyes.
However in New Jack City, we saw how Snipes had a change of heart, influenced by his love for the female gender and how that love was even greater than his love of the criminal lifestyle. He ended up being wheelchair-bound but still with the love of his woman and son. Maybe that should be the lesson we learn from that movie, the role and influence of a woman on man’s ambitions.
If our women, our young women disassociate themselves from the criminal element, this could prove an eye opener for them and spur them to change from this negative lifestyle but that is a big IF, because the young women themselves seem to love and flourish from the gains thereof.
It’s a vicious cycle, this drug problem and more complex than could be tacked from a mere article but it is my hope that I have raised some level of awareness and opened up an area for discussion.
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