Remembering the victims of TS Erika, Rebuild Dominica Inc. continues to highlight reconstruction efforts

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating floods which wreaked havoc on the beautiful Nature Island of the Caribbean. We remember the many lives lost during Tropical Storm Erika and look ahead in order to pay respects to their memory. What better way to celebrate the Dominicans who lost their lives than to stand together in solidarity. Rebuild Dominica, Inc. forges ahead in the nonprofit’s support of reconstruction on The Commonwealth of Dominica.

One such advancement is the partnership with the University of Maryland at Eastern Shore (UMES) which will offer a $5,000 USD scholarship to Caribbean islanders and International students who register as students of UMES. The grant will assist with out-of-state tuition fees. An additional partnership between Dominica State College and UMES was also formed this year. Rebuild Dominica, Inc. similarly encourages UMES to aid Dominica’s agricultural processing competence on-island. Two Food Technology professors from UMES visited Dominica in May to teach an agro-processing seminar on food preservation (May 18 – 20). This partnership will be shared with other Caribbean nations to continue the spirit of community exhibited during TS Erika relief.

Furthermore, Rebuild Dominica, Inc. continues its fundraising campaign to provide much-needed uniforms and gear for the Cadet Corps units in Dominica. A donation of recycled military uniforms was received by Dominican-born and retired U.S. military veteran, Dorival Drigo. The donation will be shipped in the coming month via Caribbean Cargo DC; a long-time sponsor of the organization. The shipment will be the first of many supplies to benefit the Dominica Cadet Corps whose spirit of courage reflect the spirit of its people.

A more recent development is the newly formed Dominican Association for the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia area which launched on June 6th 2016. Their mission is to create a forum/social club where all Dominicans located in in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area may join to uplift and support the development of their homeland through educational, cultural, and charitable initiatives. The association’s first meeting will be held in Silver Spring, Maryland on Saturday, September 17th 2016.

“Folks, we are on our way. Let us persevere in the path of victory!” proclaimed Gabriel Christian during Rebuild Dominica, Inc.’s board meeting a few days prior to the eve of anniversary of TS Erika. The path that is true and faithful will not be easy. As The Commonwealth of Dominica continues reconstruction efforts, members of the Diaspora and supporters of The Commonwealth of Dominica are invited to share information and resources by visiting www.RebuildDominica.org.