The Rotary Club of Dominica, celebrated Rotary Day, on Tuesday by reflecting on the projects funded by the club, particularly after the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
A press conference held on Tuesday, focused on the club’s donations as part of their ‘TS Erika Livelihood Restoration and Community Development Project’.
Rotary Club President, Annie Edwards, stated that post-Tropical Storm Erika, the club decided to gather donations in order to assist those who were affected by the storm. She revealed that a total of $193,109 was disbursed to 46 recipients — three of which were community organizations.
“In the wake of TS Erika, the club established a relief fund, and received generous monetary donations from rotary clubs, individuals, and organizations, locally and regionally,” she said. “Our club took the decision to use most of the funds to assist small business owners and community groups in their recovery efforts.”
The money was distributed to recipients throughout Coulibistrie, Pichelin, Colihaut, Petite Savanne, Campbell, Dubique, Roseau, Layou Park, Massacre, Roseau Valley, and Belles.
Present at the event were six of these recipients: John Foye, of Coulibistrie; Sylvain Parillon, of Colihaut; Lawrence Moise, of Petite Savanne, Hamlet Bellot, of Pichelin; and the Chairman of the Bagatelle Village Council.
Edwards also took the opportunity to announce that the Rotary Club of Dominica, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ottawa South, will equip the library of the Coulibistrie Primary School, which was damaged during the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
“The Rotary Club of Dominica partnered with the Rotary Club of Ottawa South to purchase and equip the Coulibistrie Primary School Library,” she stated. “So, the funds are here, and we are working with Jays Bookstore, and Premiere to purchase the books and fifteen tablets for the students. And also, another component is a small project in which they’ll be assisting weaker students in the school.”
Additionally, the club seeks to refurbish a classroom at a school now occupied by students of the Petite Savanne Primary School. The room, she said, would be open on March 9th.
“The Rotary Club of Dominica partnered with the Sandals Foundation—Sandals International—to retrofit a classroom at the school that the Petite Savanne students are now occupying,” Edwards explained. “So, on the 9th of March, we will be opening a multi-purpose room for the students of the Petite Savanne School. That multipurpose room will consist of a computer section, and a well-equipped library.”
Furniture manufacturer, and recipient of the Rotary Club post-TS Erika assistance, Lawrence Moise, of Petite Savanne, has been employed to produce furniture for the classroom.
It was said that the Rotary Club, which has been active on-island for 41 years, hopes to partner with the Ministry of Education on several other projects in future.
Fantastic job Rotary!
You are unstoppable teaming together with other in rebuilding Dominica.