UNESCO empowers Kalinago Youths

Sinecou Youth Path participants on field trip at the Cabrits

PRESS RELEASE: During the last four years, UNESCO through the regional Youth Path programme in the Caribbean, has been playing a pivotal role in empowering Dominica’s indigenous youths.

In Dominica, the Youth Path programme is based in the Carib Territory and is managed by Kevin Dangleben. According to Mr. Dangleben, the Youth Path programme specifically focuses on unemployed and out of school youths. The participants of the programmes are trained in various aspects of heritage management which will assist them in generating some form of income generation from the tourism industry.

Todate, several programmes have been implemented among which includes, traditional Kalinago cooking, ethno-botany, hammock making and tour guide training.

Presently, twenty-five participants from the hamlet of Sinecou are participating in an eight week programme in which participants are being trained in the design and production of unique and

Participants at work in Sinecou

authentic Kalinago artisanal products primarily for the tourist market.

In addition, the Salybia Primary School is the venue for another programme where the Kalinago Children are being introduced to Kalinago music, song and dance.

A third programme which focuses on those in the community who are already involved in the tourism industry is also on the way at the Kalinago Barana Aute where participants are also undertaking an eight week crash course in conversational Spanish.

At the end of the programmes, a grand closing ceremony is scheduled for the Kalinago Barana Aute where the participants are expected to put on display their new found skills and will be awarded with certificates upon successful completion of the various programmes.

According to the programme manager, the programme being implemented in Sinecou has been yielding tremendous success and effort is already being made to secure additional financial resources for its sustainability.

Mr. Dangleben laments that while the hamlet of Sinecou is often identified with several social and economic challenges including acute unemployment and lack of opportunities, one of the primary causative factors has been neglect..

According to a recent evaluation conducted by an independent consultant commissioned by UNESCO Jamaica, the Youth Path programme in the Carib Territory significantly deviates from the norm in programme implementation in the community based on its wide outreach and tangible results.

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7 Comments

  1. Thoughtful
    March 12, 2010

    @shocking…….why do you people have to inject politics into everything?

    UNESCO is doing an excellent job for the Kalinago people. It is no secret that for years the Kalinago people has been neglected by successive governments and parties, including the party in power. However that doesn’t mean they don’t have a right to vote for whoever they want.

    Its only in recent times have there been some movements in recognizing these people who has played a pivotal role in the history of our nation. There is now a Minister of Carib Affairs, a largely ceremonial title with little or no teeth, but a small step in the right direction.

    I appreciate what UNESCO is doing.

  2. Out of South City
    March 12, 2010

    It’s past time for the Kalinago people. Nevertheless, better late than never. I have always admired these great people. They were the first on the island and had been negleted for too long. They are very skillful and use their God-given wisdom to work with their hands. They have been providing their own for centuries and they are very resourceful to Dominica.

    I think that it is best fitting to say that UNESCO is helping them to be more marketable. They were always empowered within their community.

  3. Anonymous
    March 11, 2010

    The most beautiful people on the face of the earth are Kalinago people

  4. contuaye
    March 11, 2010

    Thanks UNESCO, great way of empowering our young people; getting them involved in meaningful, productive activities.

  5. Shocking!!
    March 11, 2010

    Did i hear Kevin use the word neglect? No wonder he did not campaign this year. And unfortunately the people in the ‘neglected community’ voted overwhelmingly for a certain party. Poor things!!!!

    • jake
      August 22, 2011

      i would agree with kevin,they have been neglected by many past governments,though there is much more that can be done by the present government atleast they doing a fraction more than those in the past,thanks to kevin showing that he doesnt have to be in any political position to do for the kalinago people,and dont just sit and comment but talk the talk and
      walk the walk.

  6. i-owe
    March 11, 2010

    God Bles You All!!!!

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