Since returning from Dominica in March it has been an enjoyable time in good ole Bim! I must say that Dominica was another great experience in my life. My first visit to Dominica was very different to my first trip to Nairobi and Maasai Mara in Kenya, and yet they were both enjoyable! Staying in Maasai Mara with the Me To We program was luxury that I did not expect but was quite welcome. Staying in Kalinago Territory and Canefield,next to the capital Roseau, in Dominica was a little rough but was very pleasant. I went to both places to do some volunteer building and a little sightseeing. In the Masai Mara area, I was helping plaster walls for new classrooms at a local elementary school while in Kalinago Territory it was mainly making windows and doors for new mostly plywood small houses. In Masai Mara, my daughter Alexandra and I slept on beds in a large tent with bathroom and electricity. In Dominica, I slept on a mattress on the floor, limited solar lighting, and cold showers, except for one bath at a warm sulphur spring. Mind you I could have slept in a bed which a Carib couple, who had lost their entire house to hurricane Maria on September 18,2017 and who were staying at their son’s house, gave to me on my first night there. When I realized what was happening I had to insist that I sleep on the floor in the living room and they sleep in his bedroom. Their hospitality, especially my new friend’s mother, was outstanding during my stay!
So was the hospitality of their neighbours and many of the approximately 2,500 people who lived in hamlets with names such as Salybia, Mahaut, Sinekou, St. Cyr, Bataca, Touna Aute, Gaulette River, and Crayfish River in St. David parish. The resilience of these Caribs is wonderful. I did not do enough work to help families complete their mostly wooden houses made of plywood and hardwood from the nearby forest! I helped on only one of the few cement brick houses. There are some houses that have been built to withstand strong storms and they intend to build more, but I guess most persons just want to have their own homes after shacking up in shelters and tents for several months now. Electricity is lacking as many of the poles are down or leaning precariously over the rough roads. It is an extensive job for the water company DOWASCO, the electric company DOMLEC, and the Internet providers FLOW and DIGICEL to restore their services to pre-Maria levels!
I hope that they will concentrate more on this Carib Territory soon. Although there is plenty devastation one can still see and feel the beauty of this 15 square kilometres northeast coastal district. Indeed Dominica is a beautiful island!
In Bim I was pleased to attend the official launch of the Red Foundation at Holder’s House in St. James on March 17th! “Le Diner en Rouge” was very tasty and most enjoyable as we were serenaded by Kellie Cadogan and Roger Gittens. They jazzed up several RPB tunes beautifully! Alvin Jemmott the Chairman of this charity in his brief address said, “ The Red Foundation grew out of the desire for renowned Caribbean entertainer and businessman, Stedson Wiltshire a.k.a. Red Plastic Bag (Bag), to give back to a society that has given so much to him.” Also, he said, “there is an old African proverb that says “It takes a Village to raise a child.” It means that a child does not just grow up within a home, where there may be a single parent or a combination of parents, but a child will grow up in a community, a village. That a child will not grow up just in a home but in a social world with input and understanding from the village. That child will thrive if he lives surrounded by people who have a sense of community. A sense of community means that we all feel responsibility to promote the concept of love thy neighbor, that we look out for each other, be our brother’s keeper, be there for those who need us, respect others; and that the elders in each community seek to pass on wisdom, customs, standards and practices to the youth, in a way that helps them to grow and to also nurture the community.” He outlined that their “It takes a Village” program is one that will seek to bring like-minded individuals and agencies together to work towards strengthening communities and facilitating guidance for at-risk youth in communities across the islands – home communities, geographical communities, school communities, and that Red Foundation will seek funding to assist these efforts. Stedson Wiltshire, the founder and patron, noted that The Red Foundation’s mission is to “mobilize people and resources to work together to relieve poverty, help those in need and elevate society through education and community empowerment.”
The Board comprises Stedson Wiltshire - Patron/ Founder; Alvin Jemmott - Chairman; Henderson Griffith - Deputy Chairman; Kim Deane - Treasurer; Gail Callender - Secretary; Erica Smith, and Dr. Juliet Daniel. I urge you to support this very worthy cause however you can! You may contact The Foundation by email: Redfoundationbarbados246@gmail.com.
