STAY WELL & SPARKLE: DOWHAS Delivers for House of Hope

INSCRIPTION[1]The excitement was palpable!

At the Old Mill, we gathered at dawn’s early light for our much anticipated trans-insular journey. The merry mixture of aromas from everybody’s picnic stuff tempted adults to ask repeatedly – in their minds at least – are we there yet?! It was a cosy fit in the two buses. One had no choice but to really get to know fellow passengers while staving off the rising heat with an ample supply of chilled drinks from the coolers.

Indeed, we were on a noble mission. You see, caring for those with mental and physical disabilities is a cross that society has to bear with grace. In their time, the Nazis had crowed, “We don’t think so!” So, for Jews and other non-master races, trade unionists, deviants, retarded, and all manner of perceived imperfect people – it was off to the gas chambers for them.

Today, we know better. Gone are the days when children and adults alike would cruelly mock these unfortunate souls by shouting ‘Mou-mou!’ Our Godly reverent fear teaches us that what determines the level of civilization is how we treat the least of these. DOWHAS’ visit to the House of Hope in Delices dramatized that in living colour!

Solution for returnees

What does DOWHAS stand for anyway? The Dominican Welfare and Hospital Aid Scheme was registered in December 1997. According to secretary/treasurer Morris Cyrille, it arose from locals and returning Dominicans who organized to help each other with hospitalization expenses, contribute to worthy causes and just to have an all-round good time! Meetings are lively affairs, conducted in fair semblance of parliamentary order.  It is a durable bubble where members find old-school civility liberally sprinkled with forward-thinking ideas for community and nation building.

First, we had a vibrant worship experience at the Delices Catholic Church. The extra special welcome was typical of that traditional hospitality. Then, the cherry on top of the day’s activities was right around the corner!

Tender care for the residents of House of Hope
Tender care for the residents of House of Hope

Total Care

There is no other facility quite like this in the nation. We were honoured with a grand tour of House of Hope (HOH) by members of the volunteer Board. Like the staff, they are hard-working, visionary and expressly behind the scenes. In 2002, the St. Vincent De Paul Society started this place of refuge for the total care of the severely disabled. The six female residents at the HOH hail from families whose burdens were lifted from as far away as Petite Soufriere and Tarish Pit.

HOH receives a subvention from Government, but is still heavily dependent on donations from businesses, charitable organizations and concerned individuals. According to Esther Shillingford, chairperson of DOWHAS, the members were generous in their gifts of cash and kind. However, the board expressed the need for a mechanism to enlist continuing support in this most worthy cause. There are currently no ‘brothers’ among ‘the least of these’ residents. House of Hope is addressing this gender discrepancy through expansion for which they appeal for further support.

House of Hope and DOWHAS Board members
House of Hope and DOWHAS Board members

A truly White River?

Like you, I have savoured one or two picnics in my time. None have felt quite as rewarding as this one. The energetic and exuberant Christopher Valerie, DOWHAS’ social organizer, then led the way to the splish-splash in the White River. The Destination Dominica website describes how the White River derives its greenish-milky colour from sulphurous waters flowing from the Boiling Lake. By the time it reaches Delices, however, it is cool and refreshing. Unlike the demanding trek for most other iconic landmarks, this invigorating therapeutic river bath can be yours after just a five-minute walk from the main road.

My father grew up in Delices. Surely this must have been his stumping ground as a boy. Did he swing on the vine as I did, to take a flying leap in the depths? Did he hold his breath underwater for the entire length of the ‘basseh.’ Did he catch seewik, qweebish, veo, taytar and dormay to make a braff on the river bank?I could feel the spirits of our ancestors deep within my bones.

That’s the thing about Dominica! There is always a place to go: not just for picnic food or doing good, but for whatever else meets your fancy.Furthermore, it is amazing how people find each other: the like-minded from far and near, the grateful ones who are cordial, considerate and caring with regards to their fellow citizens.  The wise men, they say, came from the East. If you ever have the chance to head in this direction, be sure to sparkle at any of these must-see destinations.

To contribute, please call House of Hope at767 446-2208.

Contact DOWHAS at:  767 448-4030 / 615-7423

Dr. Sam Christian is surgeon who runs the Urgent Care on 137 Bath Road. It offers general medical care, office surgery, acupuncture. He is Medical Officer of the Dominica Cadet Corps and Medical Adviser to the Dominica Cancer Society. Dr. Christian can be reached at 440-9133 or by writing to [email protected].

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7 Comments

  1. Face the Facts
    June 24, 2014

    Dr. Christian, thank you for this vital information. I am keeping a record of these non-profit organizations in Dominica to be assisted. This is another one on my list. I will surely pass on this information to my contemporaries. Help must be primarily given to those in need.
    As the words of a religious song, “Christ has no body, feet or hands on earth but our own.” He needs us to help others, to also bring solace to the needy.

  2. Face the Facts
    June 23, 2014

    Some of us have much to state; others have very little or nothing at all to state. It all depends on our mentality, education and status in life.
    I always attribute my writings and how long they become which I do not think is through my very own fault but through the Holy Spirit of God just as those who assist others as in this case based on this article and who also donate to the Catholic Church. Some people receive and expect a salary for doing it. Others do not. God will determine how sincere of heart every one of them are.
    As I write, relevant information cross my mind and yes, too much of them that I have considered if I think they only came from my mind, I am highly mistaken.
    Some made numerous ungodly, sarcastic and unbecoming remarks about that. If they were godly enlightened and knew better, that “God ordains all to be”, they would not make such unloving remarks.
    There are those who lack patience in reading and will also cast sarcastic remarks. You must cultivate your minds for the better and better, godly things. Love to read and to also acquire patience. It is something we must practice in life and to one another.
    Life is a learning and ongoing process. Learning ceases if we get sick and lose our faculties of mind and when we die. We should never deprive ourselves of this God-given golden opportunity while our life lasts with all our faculties. When we stand before God for our judgment, we cannot go with an open mind that has nothing in it with nothing and godly-spiritually at that to present to him.
    Know that “Patience” is one of the Gifts and Talents of the Holy Spirit. Those who know what is contained in Holy Scripture should know that. How much do they really know about God and His Holy Bible, what is contained in it, to be able to practice it for our mortal and spiritual benefit?
    If DNO thinks the writings are too much for this article, could you kindly place both of them as a Commentary? Thank you! Have a blessed, happy and peaceful day.

  3. nature lover
    June 23, 2014

    Dr Sam thanks for this article. It has highlights the good works of both House of Hope and DOWHAS. I really enjoyed the entire day even the stop we made on the Pierre Charles Boulevard to stretch our legs and quench our thirsts. By the way regarding the dual doctor hand examination – it was chuckungunya coming on. It was full blown by the end of the week

  4. BEB
    June 22, 2014

    Dr. Sam, u had forgotten to take a picture of the group after attending the church services in Delicees. Nonetheless the day was well spent, especially the dive in the basin of the White River. We traveled the other way to G\Bay and I was the only lucky person to buy a dolphin as it was the only one remaining which I allowed them to cut in 3 into plastic bags and it fitted comfortable into my cooler. I hope that u are going to be there on our next outing.
    I never realized that while u were sitting with the secretary at the HOH that’s what u were doing.

  5. June 22, 2014

    Doctor Christian, all I can say today–pertaining to your message– is thank for a beautiful story. You are truly a man with a heart of Love–if only the majority of our people in Dominica were like you!

    And yes! Pertaining to your first poster–those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He will not judge us for sins –in that His blood covers those sins of ours–others His suffering and dying would be meaningless .

    But He will judge us for our works–and He is making a list. Some people simply believe that Salvation is a free gift from God, and so, all they do throughout their days in this world is to sit around and dream of their mansion above–for Jesus is going to be saying to quite a few–“I do not know you!” For there is a lot more in Life with Jesus than simply putting on our Sunday best and off to the Church House to spent an hour or two there,

    As people in this world–to God, we are the goat and sheep, or the wheat and tare (weed) No one should make the mistake of existing as the “goat” or the “tare” It is just too bad; that we are not taking heed of those “Truths”

    On the other note, I too have a disability, but it is not the kind that can stop me from living a comforting and fruitful Life–infact not me, Elizabeth, for I am no “church mouse” as a madman here, insinuated two weeks ago.

    Instead, I am a highly regarded person in my community, and wherever I go, people I meet and interact with do not forget my face–as I always leave a mark, which they cannot erase–thanks to a Great God of Love who has been my Life for as long as I can remember myself.–like 3 years old

    My disability is in my hearing–the result of an inner ear disease, which much be looked after at a very early age–but too bad, my early age were spent in Dominica–and you must know the rest. But she is my homeland and you can tell her to wait for me, for I am on my way back to her and all my people there.

    My son was born with that disease–but that is in Toronto. Doctors spotted it as early as when he was two years old–surgery was done to correct it before it would take complete effect–they hard to cut off a bone from his right ear–in other to stop the disease from spreading into both ears. That is what happened to me–and so my hearing system was completely damaged by the time doctors found the problem .

    I am lucky to be in Canada. The Government gave me–yes I said gave– one of the most expensive hearing aid–I would say in the world. It is a Cochlea device, which functions in the place of my damaged cochlea–my left ear is implanted–to God be the glory–my Life is full with all of His joy and peace in Love

    Unfortunately, the rest of us are not so lucky–three of my sisters in Dominica are hearing impaired–because of that disease that wasn’t, but must be treated during childhood–as soon as detected–they are all mature adults now–but their hearing will get worse, to the point that they will not be able to hear anything at all–unless they can read people’s lips. One of my sisters who live in Toronto as well, she wears a pair of hearing aids–that wont help her in the long run.

    The only hearing aid that will be good for them is the one which I have–but who can afford this in Dominica. For that reason we need to maintain hope, that God is always at work for His Life of Love in us, Blessings!

    I thought that I was going to write just a short paragraph–good heavens!

  6. Notdootish
    June 21, 2014

    Simply beautiful, The writing is refreshing. Very academic but so simple. I believe that you should teach English, Literature, Writing , History, as well as being a Physician. I was truly mesmerized to read every word. “dawn’s early light, Godly reverent fear, the least of these,
    “seewik, qweebish, veo, taytar and dormay.” What I admire in a person., educated, and still down to earth. Yes we can eat some johnny cakes with saltfish together. Thanks Doc.
    You are truly a God-send to DNO.

    • June 22, 2014

      @Notdootish June 21, 2014 ‘Thanks Doc.
      You are truly a God-send to DNO”.

      Yes indeed! Dr. Christian’s name and profession is who he truly is–a man who is a true servant of God, a man who also has the gift of ability to provoke the sense of Life in a person’s mind –the Life which is from our God; that which He wants us live.

      Doctor Christian is a man who is “down to earth” that kind of attitude is what causes God to exalt a person–Doctor Christian has it! I pray that most readers and comments here will be more and more, just as Dr. Christians is, with the faith, trust, humility, and obedience, which gives God delight–the glory which He wants from us. Blessings!

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