Dr. Sanford appalled by authorities’ “disrespect” for initiative in Kalinago Territory

Dr. Worrel Sanford is the UWP candidate for the Kalinago Constituency

United Workers Party (UWP) candidate for the Salybia constituency, Dermatologist, Dr. Worrel Sanford has stated that he is deeply appalled and worried by what he says is the blatant disrespect shown by the Ministry of Kalinago Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the government with regard to a human resource development activity which was recently undertaken in the Kalinago Territory.

Dr Sanford has accused the named authorities of snubbing and undermining “the effort of one of their inspiring Kalinago women in taking the lead to contribute to the development of the human resource capital of the communities and more so, the empowering of  Kalinago women.”

One of the graduates receives a trophy

Sanford explained in a release that Anette Thomas-Sanford, a nurse by profession, recognizing the need for trained health care providers and the inability of the state mechanism to respond in a timely manner, conceptualized a health-care providers training programme with the input of the then Dean of Health Sciences at the Dominica State College (DSC), Denise Edwards. The course was offered in the Kalinago Territory.

“Despite several attempts to engage the Ministry of Health and Kalinago Affairs, they made absolutely no effort to get involved, to advice, support or to endorse the programme,” Sanford stated. “Not even the Salybia Health Center; the state did not spend one cent in constructing, did they want to make available for the six (6) month programme.”

He continued, “Thanks to the Kalinago Chief for his tenacity! At the end, 18 young women graduated from the programme despite the calculated barriers set by the very same people who profess on political platforms and selected forums that they are pro-women independence and people empowerment and no one loves the Kalinago people more than they do.”

Sanford contends that one is left with no choice but to “discard in the trash bins, the pronouncements made by some of us in leadership positions as it relates to the socio-economic development of our people and in particular our indigenous Kalinago women.”

 He said as a medical professional, he fully endorsed “this outstanding initiative” by Nurse Thomas-Sanford and vowed, under a UWP led government, to explore all possible avenues for the further development of this programme, given its dire need.

“The double standard, snubbing and politicizing of all good efforts by our people cannot continue to go unabated if we truly want to see a better society tomorrow,” he remarked. “Such calculated actions are tantamount to building walls and not bridges.”

Sanford insists that the Ministry of Kalinago Affairs must be and will be run as a state entity which facilitates the development of the Kalinago people not as a DLP outpost, “with a sole mandate to thwart the progress of our communities by keeping our people in a state of perpetual dependence.”

 He strongly denounced what he described as “pathetic, short sighted and irresponsible approach to the betterment of our people at a time when our communities and nation need us more than ever.”

He congratulated Thomas-Sanford on her “bold” initiative as well as the course participants who despite the odds, completed the programme.

Certification will be done by the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies and participants will receive a Caribbean Vocational Qualification certificate (CVQ) to be issued by the Grenada National Training Authority ably facilitated by Abraham Durand.

Some smiling faces at the graduation ceremony

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27 Comments

  1. Kalinago brave
    June 16, 2019

    Sir you are making reckless statements! Can you prove that any government ministry was written to on this matter? You should be jailed for lying like that!

  2. Anonymous
    June 15, 2019

    The kalinago people have finally come of “age”. No more rum, money and see-woe will cut it this time around.

    • viewsexpressed
      June 16, 2019

      We fully agree with you Sir/Madam. It`s time that you Kalinago people function as a unit that you will and must have a big say in your development and that of your people in partnership with any government but not to be abuse for political gains and to denounce and to any favours and handouts by and from Skerrit and his corrupt Labour government. This failed Skerrit leader and his corrupt Labour government know not of socio-economic development so they go for what you call sweeteners, that is corrupt things to Melo you all to come over to them blindly for handouts rather than building up the Kalinago Territory as this unit in partnership with governments, NGOs and well wishers. But you`ll in the Kalinago Territory must work in partnership strongly with your Carib Chief and the Kalinago Council. Do not allow Skerrit and his worthless Labour Government come and offer and or offer you all nice things for your votes. If they do, especially failed Skerrit kick them out the Territory ASAP.

  3. Wiser
    June 15, 2019

    Poor Joe … where have you been?? The CVQ is benchmarked against international standards like the City and Guilds awards formerly pursued at the Dominica State College and the International Vocational Qualification (IVQ). Of all CARICOM states, only Dominica has failed to establish a functioning NTA, and therefore cannot award the CVQ. Nonetheless, enterprising Dominicans (including government entities) have at various times received CVQ certifications from the NTAs of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Grenada all at huge cost and effort on our part. The NTA of Grenada (GNTA) will certify the candidates of the course in question with Level 2 / Level 3 CVQ certifications in Allied Geriatric Care, because GNTA has reviewed the program and found it to be of an extremely high quality consistent with the requirements for that award. GNTA is fully accredited by CANTA as a CVQ awarding body. (canataonline.org)

    • Ibo France
      June 16, 2019

      Wiser, you have made the DNO readership wiser, no pun intended. There are too many supporters of the DLP speaking out of turn. They do everything humanly possible to try to distort facts that don’t fit their narratives. I’m happy, Wiser, that you speak on the topic with clarity and authority to dispel any disparagement of the course.

  4. Mabrika
    June 14, 2019

    Kalinago Roots the anger in your tone tells it all. If your roots were really, Kalinago you would not speak like that. What has been done in the Kalinago? Things are deteriorating in the community and here this person talking politics. You need to visit the Kalinago Territory and see the misery and vulnerabilities and the very very poor(indigent) people of Dominica. Please check the country poverty assessment and other reports. Put politics aside, what has been done by the DLP? The only persons who are making are those who singing for the labour supper.

  5. Kalinago Roots
    June 14, 2019

    Ive not been seeing no representation on the opposition side in kalinago n its a damn big LIE to say skerrit have not been doing nothing .stanford should not use this as a political talk ..he is on the wrong side be better brace himself for a big lost…only time will tell..

    • viewsexpressed
      June 16, 2019

      Yes, we have visited and we have a strong committed candidate to represent you in the best way possible. UWP says that We need decency in government to help you and other communities, villages take control with their own development, obviously with the help of government (Not this failed Skerrit). NGO`s, Kalinago people overseas etc., Be strong, take control of your Territory and do not allow Skerrit to come in and buy you all with BS nice talk and handouts and promising of this and that and then as usual turn hi back away. This has gone on enough now for over 19 years. Skerrit and incompetent Labour government has failed us and all of Dominica. Skerrit has failed us and he is a big danger to our Kalinago people and to our Dominica. Skerrit must Go. Go away, leave us, we gonna mind our own Funky Business. Labour has failed us Dominicans, Skerrit has been this failed incompetent Odd Minister, he must go.

  6. The Blackheart Man
    June 13, 2019

    I am a trained cvq assessor trained right here in dominica by National training agency of trinidad and tobago. CVQs are certified by training agencies all through out the region and grenda national training agency is no exception. Once participants have meet the criteria for certification any recognized training agency such as GNTA can certify them. It says something about that we in dominica don’t have our own National training agency as the other island to certify our mason, carpenters, seamstresses etc

    • Joe Linton
      June 14, 2019

      “CVQs are certified by training agencies all through out the region and grenda national training agency is no exception. Once participants have meet the criteria for certification any recognized training agency such as GNTA can certify them.”
      Now Blacheart Man, i hope you asked yourself the question…DID THE COURSE MEET THE CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION????????
      i only hope the participants were not doped into paying a some of money with the belief that they will receive a CVQ certificate upon completion without actually meeting the criteria and above all from a non-recognized entity… and that Mrs. Edwards presence was not used as an approval for a con…

      loving Kalinago is one rubbing them is another, i think Sgt. James should leave the politics rubbish and come investigate whether this was a sham!!!!!!

      • Professor C. Skerrit
        June 15, 2019

        You my friend keep on singing for your supper. In the long run it’s not gonna get you anywhere, you’ll see. It’s not only Skerrits fault that the country is where it is at the moment. A huge amount of blame has to be apportioned to the likes of you who discard the interest of the country in favour of financial gain. Let’s face it, nobody right in their mind can keep apologising for Skerrit.

  7. Emerald
    June 13, 2019

    Dr. Sanford I applaud you for standing for the Kalinago people. You are not yet in the office and you are already representing. The Kalinago people are proud that they can now have someone to stand for them in the media, in the parliament and on the regional and international stage. Thank you! Thank you!

    Nurse Sanford you have started something fundamental and continue to build on it. Congratulations!! Kalinago people please embrace this and work towards true and permanent development in the Kalinago Territory.
    And trainees, this is not a handout, it is training that no one can take from you.

    • Da to d bone
      June 13, 2019

      They playing politics as usual…

      • June 14, 2019

        Politics means to be concern…explain your dam self…

        • viewsexpressed
          June 16, 2019

          Failed Skerrit, Bin Bool, Fertilizer Bobol, Red Clinic abusive schemes and failed to build up our agriculture. Skerrit has our people as Beggars and he has failed our villages. No more bananas, lies, Kabuli, Ros University, mangoes etc sold out there to the USA+VI , Montserrat, St Kitts, Anguila. etc
          Skerrit must go and mind his Funky Business.

  8. STALIN
    June 13, 2019

    But isnt CVQ administered and issued by CXC?how is it going to come from some Grenadian authority?how much accreditation do those authorities enjoy?

  9. Joe
    June 13, 2019

    ‘Certification will be done by the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies and participants will receive a Caribbean Vocational Qualification certificate (CVQ) to be issued by the Grenada National Training Authority ably facilitated by Abraham Durand.’

    Sandford it is Nurse SANFORD THAT IS SHOWING DISRESPECT!!!!!! This certificate will not be recognize in Dominica i find you all are damn rude to think you all can just by-pass our designated Ministries and go out there for certification… DID THE COURSE EVEN MET CVQ STANDARD???? Grenada is in no way able to verify the quality of the training…. My boy just give the people a certificate of participation and finish you looking for too much CACA that is not necessary at this time plus embarrassing the foreign institutions with your pettiness SMDFH!!!!!

    • Looking
      June 13, 2019

      Well Joe if the authorities didn’t support it, who suffers? Well the people off course. I know of many initiatives attempted by different people. They were all not supported. Too much effort, energy and resources is spent trying to keep people down in this country. We should be empowering each other. One begins to wonder where our country is heading. Somewhere, Anywhere and Nowhere.

      • Joe Linton
        June 14, 2019

        Looking,
        There are ways and means to do things as a result you cannot just get up say you going to do a course and tell everybody completing the course they will receive a Bsc. Degree and feels that the ‘Authorities” whoever that is must support because in your head it is a good initiative and if they don’t you will go to any external body to approve it… it simply cannot work that way!!!!
        “conceptualized a health-care providers training programme with the input of the then Dean of Health Sciences at the Dominica State College (DSC), Denise Edwards” so does that mean the DSC was in full support of the initiative??? if they were then accreditation could have come from them don’t you think???

        A certificate of Participation is the only certificate they can receive!!!!! How much did these people pay for the Course???

  10. %
    June 13, 2019

    Who run things? Skerrit or the Kalinagos?
    Well said doctor Sanford!!
    This DLP does not care about the Kalinagos.. They use them every election cycle, to remain in office, but thanks God , Skerrit is not the one who run things there, it is the Kalinago people, and they will surely reject the DLP..!!!!
    S m g
    S m g
    L S m g n

  11. RandyX
    June 13, 2019

    That’s how the Skerrit administration works, if you are a supporter you get anything within reason: cash, house, unjustified promotion, building material, agricultural grants even you not a farmer… In short the sky is the Limit. If you are not a supporter you get persecuted… Still some people want to make us believe we are not living in a corrupt dictatorship

  12. LaPlaine Observer
    June 13, 2019

    There is a systematic failure by this government in almost every aspect of development in Dominica. This stagnant economy proves the incompetence and inept nature of this administration. But yet, they are out there on the campaign trail speading misinformation and false promises.

  13. Ibo France
    June 13, 2019

    Once there’s no political mileage to be gained, for the military junta, from any exercise or event conducted in the country, it shows no interest. In fact, they try to suffocate any private initiative to assist depressed communities as it bears bare the government’s inadequacies. Nothing they do is for the collective benefit of the people. The Fed Clinic, NEP, the hurriedly done roads, apartment complexes are done strictly for votes, nothing else. Skerrit sees the people not as humans in need of assistance but as votes. Disheartening!

  14. Flat Tire
    June 13, 2019

    Facially challenged capitolin, joseph john, gee joseph,Anon, kid on the block, peeping tom and Chad ambo are not interested in such initiatives but rather little personal favours and handouts for themselves

  15. dissident
    June 13, 2019

    This is a first in your area. I have never heard of a Parl rep. of your area undertaking that or similar initiative.
    This is community development by helping people develop themselves in areas that benefits the community in health services. This is a great initiative my brother. It is a SHAME that the health ministry and ministry responsible for women empowerment snubbed the program…..that’s a nasty attitude towards women empowerment in the Kalinago Territory.
    For me personally i hope i can see a Kalinago as PM or President one day!!!
    Don’t be surprised if the government try to tweak your idea just a bit and come up with some similar program of it’s own. a caring government will always develop and encourage women’s empowerment

    • Ibo France
      June 13, 2019

      Dissident, the government did not start this initiative, so they cannot take credit for it, therefore ignore the strenuous efforts of a true patriot, Nurse Sanford. The training is needed, the trainees are empowered, the ordinary people benefit. This is a project that any normal government would have given its fullest support. Then again, the Skerrit-led DLP junta, is not a normal government. Everything, everything, no matter how insignificant, is meticulously planned for maximum political gain. The wellbeing of the people and the country in general is secondary to their overwhelming desire to hold on to power at any cost. There is no rational reason to retain this CATASTROPHE parading itself as a government.

  16. viewsexpressed
    June 13, 2019

    Sanford stated. “Not even the Salybia Health Center; the state did not spend one cent in constructing, did they want to make available for the six (6) month programme.”. This is a damn shame. What I`m hearing from Hon. Sanford? Shame on this failed incompetent PM and Labour government. This Health Centre with its sleeping Quarters for nurses and health professionals in the event of emergency etc to overnight as initiated by the then Director of CCF Francis Joseph with the funds through his brother in New York and his brother appealed to donors for funding to have this Centre constructed. It has been a success. It is now completed over five (10) years and in use and we are proud of those involved. The Carib Chief, and his councillors, the Parliamentary Representative, the nurses well wishers and other medical professionals and the Kalinago people. We are proud of Dr. Sanford as a UWP Candidate for this coming election and we urge everyone in Territory to vote him in. Out goes labour,…

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