Two Dominicans will be among 60 young people from around the Commonwealth to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in London in 2017.
Rianna Patterson, 19, and Eber Ravariere, 28, were chosen for making a remarkable difference in their communities and transforming people’s lives.
This year, Award winners are leading projects tackling global issues including education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and disability equality.
Eber is the President of a Youth Cooperative focused on fostering Social & Economic development by engaging youth in the Production, Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Produce.
He works to instill a new culture of agriculture, farming and entrepreneurship, especially among Rural Youth as a means of reducing unemployment while empowering young people to become leaders within their communities.
Through this Cooperative, Eber works to raise awareness and build the interest of children and youth in Agricultural Based careers to help ensure that Food Security and Sustainable Development remains a priority within communities and Nations.
Eber is currently leading the enhancement of a Plant Propagation Unit and Agriculture Farm to support the Cooperative’s Bee Keeping and Seasoning Sauce Production Sectors. This nursery also serves as a seedling outlet and training base for his Young Farmers Program.
Eber also works to develop Youth Groups focused on addressing Social and Environmental Issues.
“During my year as a Queen’s Young Leader, I hope to raise awareness on the importance of food security and the involvement of youth in agriculture. It will be encouraging to hear other stories and learn from successful organisations and businesses,” Ravariere said.
Patterson was chosen to receive the award in recognition of her dedication to helping ease the impact dementia has on individuals and families
She established Dominica Dementia specifically to help families who have a member living with the condition. It holds support groups to enable people to speak openly about the challenges they face in caring for people with dementia and to share advice.
Dominica Dementia also provides funding to families and works to educate the wider community about dementia.
In addition, Patterson is the President of ‘Age 4 Change’ youth group, which provides services for elderly people in the community, including home visits and house maintenance.
She was also an orientation leader for Dominica State College, where she assisted students during registration and offered advice to newcomers and their parents to raise awareness about the importance of food security in Dominica.
As part of the Queen’s Young Leaders programme, Patterson and Ravariere will go to London during summer next year to develop their leadership skills and receive their awards from Her Majesty The Queen.
The Queen’s Young Leaders Programme was established in 2014.
The winner of the award for 2016 was Tina Alfred.
Awesome. Goes to show that irresponsibility is not a consequence of youth. It is of choice.
this is Dominica
way to go guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the excellent work.
Congratulation Eber, I thought it would be music to thrust you forward, but its the diligence of your hands that has proven empowering
Excellent!!