Prime Minister Skerrit said the official opening of CHANCES, a place for safety for children at risk, is a landmark achievement in government’s mission to eradicate poverty among the country’s children and youth.
The government of Dominica in collaboration with the United Kingdom-based Children’s Charity Action, today officially opened the $3.9 million facility at Chance in Jimmit.
Skerrit said, “the greatest of a nation is to be judged, not by the number of millionaires it generates, important as it is, but by the care it provides to vulnerable, disadvantaged and abused citizens”.
According to Skerrit, CHANCES is intended to contribute to the creation of socially well adjusted children and young people at risk of going astray, and adopting lifestyles that would be detrimental to themselves.
Social Services Minister Gloria Shillingford said CHANCES is expected to help reduce the cases of child abuse in Dominica.
“It is our hope that this service will impact significantly on the lives of vulnerable children in Dominica. Over the years the welfare division has had to craft strategies in response to the growing incidents of reported cases of child abuse in Dominica. Not only cases of sexual abuse but also physical abuse and to lesser extent abandonment. The statistics on such cases is real cause for concern,” Shillingford said.
She said the facility brings “us” a step closer in overcoming difficulties in providing a secure home for children at risk.
“Until more permanent placement can be obtained for them within families, they will be nurtured for six months at CHANCES,” she added.
The Place of Safety is the first ever 24-hour residential home for abused and abandoned children on the island.
Former Manager of Action for Children Shirley Stuart said despite many challenges, the facility has been completed and targeted towards raising the quality of child care in Dominica.
The facility is being managed by Mrs. Ava Mcntyre Roach.
When will they realize PM THAT YOU ARE GODS CHOSEN ?
IT IS GOD WHO APPOINTS NOT MAN
WE GOT YOUR BACK PM
God accepted the lie on the nomination form about dual citizen? Is God that appointed Hitler, Saddam, Idi Amin, Samoza, Pol Pot, Botha, Bush, Mubarak, Saleh, Gaddafi et al? God’s children too. So why man go to put ‘x’ by people name in election? Man on earth have nothing to do with voting for or electing people of their choice? When the politician, Leader or Govt. engage in corrupt practices is OK because is God that appoint him to be there in high Office? What God is that who appoints those who cheat, lie, steal, engage in fraudulent, corrupt, illegal acts to rule over entire nations?
two names you left out is edison and yours. the crime suits you perfect.
I don’t know which God you are refering to but not the true God who hates lies, filth corruption.
Again I must commend the government on this inititive I see it as a great opportunity to attract skilled people back to Dominica… a great avenue to diminish the rate of child abuse and address poverty within Dominica…
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion but Dominicans have never seemed more ignorant and narrow-minded after reading the posts regarding this commentary. I think a lot of you just comment on the actions of the government without focusing on party afiiliation and political debate..
So on that note again I commend the government on their efforts and do wsh well for the success of this center and hope there will be many more to follow.
Like I said befor this would have been built which ever government is in power, it was built by the grace of the charitable british people, so say thanks to them.
Worried sick, I think you gave yourself the correct name, you are sick.
Do you watch news on the tv around the world. If you do not you should and you will then you will
know if skerrit making dominicans like yourself poor. You are wicked and one of the hater of the Government.
Boy I wish I could really tell some of allu ungrateful people more than lang patat on this site
it is hard to believe that all this ignorancy come from DOMINICANS…my suggestion…shut down dno…
I agree with you Anonymous, all they post is pure cr*p
I cannot jus say thanks, labourites are made dependent citizens and not interdependent. they depend on government to do everything, So they will jump. actually, this government has made people poorer, so they got to do something to help alleviate poverty. Labourites don’t even realize that skeritt is making them poorer and then trying to buy them alah labourites, get some intelligence
These children did not ask to be placed on this Earth and the fact that Government and the UK NGO have seen it fit to care enough to house, cloth, feed and educate them, to remove them from the streets or other vulnerable situations where they are or would be taken advantage of physically (work for no pay), sexually or other inhumane way, is powerful. And it appears that due consideration was given to who would be the guardians of these children. This is a good example of people who genuinely care about those who are unable to care for themselves. Everyone who is able to make monthly or annual contributions should do so and, if not yet arranged, all contributions to CHANCES should be tax-deductible.
While this is a noble and honorable gesture for our Society, the State will not be able to keep this up in the long run and it is therefore very important to take whatever steps necessary to educate people not to have children if they are unprepared to take up the serious responsibilities of having children. It is not too early to start the appropriate education in the school system.
I don’t live in Dominica but i love my Dominica 2 de bone. Please haters stop hating and love the PM Skerrit 4 developing the country. Every time i come 2 Dominica i’m seeing improvement all over the place. Lets thank God 4 are man like PM Skerrit who is taking Dominica 2 the next level. May the good Lord countinue 2 Bless, Guide & Protect him always. Thank you PM Skerrit 4 all what u have done and still doing 4 the country. PM Skerrit we love u all the way & will never stop. No contest PM Skerrit you are the best.
He is starting to make sense,,
Politicians and Baby Diapers should be changed regularly and for the exact same reason.
Please people could we just for once just be grateful to the Lord for His blessing and stop the bickering with each other. Just say thank you . Thank you. We are better than a lot of people. Look at Japan and all the other countries which are under serious pressure. We have a blessed land .
OH MY GOD WHY YOU ALL ARE SOO UNGRATEFUL.
Well I agree it have government haters in here papa!! Even when they do well you people are angry at them for shining. Bunch of idiots.
Dominicans needs to stop relying on the goverment for all of it’s micro decisions, it is so ironic that every little achievement is a credit to the goverment, since when the goverment is so efficient at services, it is time however for that individual entreprenuership to be enhanced so that the individuals and other social groups be estsblished to give rise to the spirit of creativity.
let us go past those micro management engagements.
I gave you a Thumbs up because you are on point. But you need to understand that Dominicans are not too optimisticly fund about people who claim to be “overseas”. I believe more than 60% of DNO’s contributors are well educated people who are overseas too, but who choose not to say that. If you care so much about Dominica and you are so smart, then you should be more mindful about identifying yourself as “Texas boy”. I hope you are not one of those illegal ignorance barking from overseas and cannot even com bak a yard.
Now was that really necessary? This person could be studying in Texas. Common people!
And before you jump on my case, I am a US citizen, but a born Dominican.
CAN’T YOU PEOPLE JUST SAY THANK YOU! FORGET ABOUT WHO BUILD WHAT – JUST SAY THANK YOU! FORGET ABOUT TRYING TO PUT POLITICS IN EVERYTHING – JUST SAY THANK YOU THAT SOME CHILD WILL BE HELPED.
THANK YOU!
Politics run the world my friend, you cannot run from it…and say thank you for what??? huh???
Stop scoring political points on the unfortunate. What arrogance stop boasting what u do for the needy?
ok then … let us all hear what you have done. Be quiet!
Something to be thankful for, our children at risk will be cared for professionally. Way to go Skerrit and the Government, be assured if you continue this trend another 50 years for Labour.
The facility was built by an English charity it would have been built whoever as in government, well done Great Britain and thank you
Buildings alone has not, cannot, will never eradicate poverty among the country’s children and youth. Or as Skerrit claims that CHANCES is intended to contribute to the creation of socially well adjusted children and young people at risk of going astray, and adopting lifestyles that would be detrimental to themselves. Skerritt should by now realize that Young people adopt life styles, especially immoral lifestyles that they observe the older ones and those in authority adopt and practice as well as those shown on TV.
Presently, the condoning of corrupt actions and disrespect for the Constitution and Laws of Dominica especially by those in Public Office, in Govt. is certainly not the right signal to send to our youth. They are listening, seeing so many wrong, immoral, illegal things taking place. Those in authority must lead in respect for the Laws, for elders, for the people, for human rights, for FREE and FAIR elections, for good governance, transparency, accountability and deep love for the environment. When in a society WRONG is RIGHT and RIGHT is WRONG, aren’t such attitudes, thinking and behaviours detrimental to young and old? When some in public Office quickly enriches themselves through controversial means what are they telling the youth? When information regarding the business of the country is withheld from the People and things are done in secret, what message are they sending to the Youth?
i feel sorry for folks like u “youth” it is clear that u are stuck on stupid and very ungrateful… Are you brain washed or are u just bias? chose one….. that whole speech you gave did u come up with it by yourself or was it written for you? what the hell does it have to do with the article? Appreciate what you guys have, be thankful, the lord don’t like ungratefulness….. sheezzzzzzzz…… If you have an issue with the current govt which i can kindly see go to the ministry, write to the pm but don’t come on here with that bulll… Stop being a slaveeeeee…..
you sound so disgruntled……….you are most annoying! Be quiet while the rest of us say thank you.
What you just said sounded like Ron Green mantra
free and fair elections
access to dbs
clean up the electors list
Who die and make you Ron Green and his henchmen?
Remember they withdrew the appeal
@Natasha J, @ hope @kwaib . Simple, truthful comments that have you all exposing your ignorance and difficulty in understanding the written word. BUILDINGS alone has not, cannot, will not CHANGE behaviours. Is that hard to understand? How many LAWS on the books, institutions to help, yet so many disrespect, disobey laws and are brought to court, fined, or jailed. Attitudes must change. Immoral and illegal behaviours must be condemned and dealt with irrespective of who commit the acts. The older people in our society, in Public and Private Offices, in leadership positions must conduct business with integrity, honesty and equality, uphold the Laws, and live a life so that the youth could emulate them. What is wrong with saying that? Do you think the youth would be well taken care of when leaders and others, especially grown ups, engage in irresponsible activities and immoral acts and NOTHING happens? Would such persons be GOOD ROLE MODELS FOR OUR YOUTH? A building is just that, a building. Many other factors must be taken into consideration when dealing with disadvantaged or abused children. Is anything wrong in saying that?