STAY WELL & SPARKLE – British Dominicans Build on Their Roots    

Mayor of a borough o London? Mamai! Look at the size of Pearson Shillingford’s mace! And his wife, Dr. Anna Shillingford – what’s her role? Like Heather Charles (LL.B Hons.), these people are connectors. So it is what their team from Dominica UK Association (DUKA) is accomplishing that matters, as the great village of Dublanc is about to find out.

DUKANS is project conceived as a retirement community of private homes with and a medical clinic and extended care facility – a little piece of London on the edge of Dublanc! They have already secured five and a half acres and drawn up extensive plans. Former Prime Minister Pierre Charles was so impressed; he made a special trip to our High Commission in Britain for the launching in 2003. Unfortunately, some leading the charge were stricken and the project languished.

Nevertheless, the fundamentals endure. Some say that British Dominicans are more likely to build homes and settle back in the Nature Isle compared to cohorts elsewhere. If so, why? Health Care in Britain is free through the National Health Service, NHS. Dominican Brits return to the UK for treatment at the drop a hat.

The proposed DUKANS facility has long been envisioned to fill the void between healthcare on island and NHS. Furthermore, it would be open to all Dominicans from anywhere. Picture a well-appointed setting where you would feel comfortable sending your parents to convalesce and be cared for. It would be managed independently with efficiency, courtesy and the best skills that Dominicans have garnered globally.

What a concept!

Actually, it was Mr. Randolph Victor & Mrs. Anne Victor, my homebound patients from Wallhouse, who sold me on this fascinating project. It’s a captivating story of ordinary people with lives well lived, banding together to accomplish great things.

Take Anne Victor for example. Born in Boetica and raised in Citronier, she left for England at age 19. She retired as a commercial seamstress for Daywear, which supplied retailers like Marks & Spencer. Randolph from Dublanc left Dominica at age 24 and retired as bus conductor, traffic warden and chairperson of DUKANS.

Heather Charles from Paix Bouche/Belle Manière left for England at age 7 obtained a law degree and is an entrepreneur in calligraphy cards and ‘Sa Ka Fait’ beverages. She serves as a catechist, Eucharistic minister and school governor. As secretary of DUKANS, she is very much the glue holding the project together.

Originally from Dos D’Âne, Anna Shilligford taught in her home village and Thibaud before heading for the British Isles. She earned her doctorate is in Business Administration from the University of East London and was recognized for her outstanding work in race relations. She was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth. Dr. Shillingford became the first black woman from the London borough of Newham so honoured. The DUKANS treasurer subsequently founded an agency fostering children, primarily black, and continues as a director of an adoption charity.

Pearson, from Dublanc, emigrated to England at age 15. He rose from being a mechanic and bus driver to thrive in Newham’s rich cultural community life. He was actively involved in several other charitable organizations besides DUKA. He served on the Newham Community and Police Forum and attended quarterly meetings at Scotland Yard. He won Council election in the East Ham South Ward in 2001. As such, he was intimately involved in hosting the highly successful 2012 London Olympics centered in Newham. He was subsequently nominated as Civic Ambassador (‘ceremonial mayor’) as pictured above.

Of course, referencing Pearson’s mace was just my little tease to get you to read this far. (Did it work?) But if truth be told, this is one of the finest mechanisms I have come across for Dominicans to leverage their talents and capital. They are about to achieve something uniquely theirs – not some grant, gift or aid. DUKANS look forward to working respectfully with authorities and villagers to help bring jobs and overall value to the local economy.

British Dominicans instill an organizational culture marked by timeliness, order and decency. I can tell you that they are committed to using every muscle and sinew to make this happen. At the end of the day, it is the caliber of the organizers that persuade supporters to invest their time and hard-earned treasure into any project.

In a way, these folks are more Dominican than Dominican. While the proud brainchild of DUKA, compatriots and friends of Dominica anywhere may help contribute the final oomph to get over the finish line. Any ideas or hard questions? Don’t look at me. Heather Charles is standing by in London and ready to assist. Please contact her at [email protected] or the Shillingfords at [email protected].

So I wrote this article at the behest of Mr. & Mrs. Victor, but also in the interest of your loved ones and mine and our next generation as well. People do what they have to do. Thank God many could go afar to seek their fortunes. Soon, many more will securely return to embrace the land of their birth to sparkle in their golden years!

Sam Christian MD is syndicated columnist focusing on health-related development matters. Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133 or by writing to [email protected].