A United Kingdom (UK) national, who was educated in Dominica at both primary and secondary levels, has embarked on a project to give back to the country.
Founder of Dominica Diaspora Development Fund (DDDF), Darren Louis, traveled to Dominica in May on a four-month project to contribute to schools in Salisbury and St Joseph.
Louis formed DDDF, which aims to raise funds among the diaspora community in the UK to fund projects on the island and also to visit Dominica to organize these projects.
He spent eight years of his life in Dominica and said he loves the island very much. He also has relatives in Salisbury.
“I was not born here but I came here and benefited from the educational system here…so I feel that I owe to the country …,” he told Dominica News Online. “I would like to give back to the schools I went to first. So I started with Salisbury Primary School, next I would like to do something in St Joseph, the Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS).”
So far works have been done on the Basketball Court in Salisbury which was in need of repairs.
Sports equipment, including cricket gear, bats, pad, basketballs, netball, netball uniforms, will also donated to the Salisbury Primary School
The construction of a play area the Salisbury Preschool is also on the agenda.
“They don’t have a play area at the moment,” Louis noted.
He revealed that shipments will be arriving on the island soon for the various projects.
Louis indicated that roughly EC$15,000 will be needed to complete the projects he has in mind.
He said on his return to the UK in October he plans to get other people involved in projects in Dominica.
“I will have a whole list of projects that Dominica needs,” he mentioned.
He has arranged an eight-team Basketball Tournament at the Salisbury Beach Court on July 5th July from 1pm.
The first prize winners will walk away with $300, second place will receive $90 while the third place winning team will receive $60.
Louis encourages Dominicans living in the Diaspora to contribute to the island in one way or the other.
“I think that there is so much the Diaspora in the UK and the US, and I think many of us, can do a lot together,” he stated. “We can easily do something, all of us and that’s why I will definitely encourage them.”
No offence mr. Louis but are you out of a job in the U.K., collecting money here in Dominica? Or perhaps you are on a sabbatical? Four months is a long time to be away from your job. Forgive me for being suspicious but we have seen too many charlatans in our country trying to extract money from our people. I don’t mind helping as long as it is genuine but once bitten, twice shy.
Hello Ma Moses, thankyou for your concerns. I am more than happy to address them.
1. I am not out of a job. I own my own business in the UK therefore I am my own boss and i am able to take as much time of as I choose.
2. I am not herE to collect money from Dominicans in THIS country. The purpose of the DDDF is to raise funds OUT of Dominica to contribute to projects WITHIN Dominica. I have todate not collected 1 cent from ANYONE and everything done so far has solely been funded by my wife and i personally.
3. Yes 4 months is a longtime, but i have been planning this for a while, Including in this 4 months is (1) my honeymoon, (2) time to spend with my ageing grandmother (3) Time to spend on projects in Dominica
4. You are forgiven
5. I hope now your questions have been answered and that you will do your part as you mentioned. If you would like to assist me with what im trying to do you are welcome to donate at http://www.funddominica.com my contact details are also there for…
Good initiative, young brother. Keep up the good work.
Well done Darren continue the good work not very often we find people giving back again very good initiative
well done
class of 96 applauds u
ummm why are people so angry because I SIMPLY INFORMED DARREN about how the government is treating the salisbuty ? the village where he went to school.I i never suggested he should not give back. How did you all come to this conclusion?
the saying goes not what your country can do for you but what can you do for your country, lots of you just sit down waiting for things to be done and not trying to help your selfs
Excellent initiative….. I myself will be making a monetary contribution in order to help (ever so slightly) the advancement of our country and people.
Darren boy, i am so proud to be your friend, and I thank you for what you are doing for the salisbury people. This community have been going through à lot of struggles during these past years.
God bless you Darren. Thank you. You were always a sweet child.
Way to go Darren Louis!
Positive move! I hope some politicians will follow your lead and stop spending time on social media trying to tarnish the image of our country. All they do is criticize and try to instigate unrest.
A good effort but I’m a bit fed up with all those different individuals and groups working independently . Why can’t they all pull their resources and efforts together ?
A job well done Darren!!
Good job
Wow that basket ball court really looking poor, let me see how i can make a contribution…AFTER ALL THAT WAS SPENT ON ELECTION…SKERRO or Skeritt you could do better than…
Good for you, young man. It’s heartening to see overseas Dominicans contributing to development of communities in Dominica and who appreciate what Dominica has given them
It is very refreshing to read something positive and encouraging. Nice also to see a young man leading by example.
Can you please print contact details for DDDF
Hi Van, you can find my contact details and more information on the website. Many thanks Darren
http://www.funddominica.com
Van, below is the link I was able to locate regarding DDDF.
http://www.funddominica.com/
There’s something about our beautiful Dominica that keeps us loyal to her. Well done young man. May more of us follow in your footsteps.
Darren if you know what the government is doing to the people of salisbury today. They have denied them farm access roads, physically abuse the parl rep, sprayed the people with expired tear gas and fired live rounds of bullets into an old ladys house.
Well I would like to believe that Darren saw the happenings with his eyes, after all, the article says he has been on island since May. And even if he missed the first debacle, he surely saw the second one.
And in spite of all of this he still wants to give back to his community. So what is your point?
I mean, I didn’t vote the ruling party, but let’s try not to mix apples and oranges for everything nuh.
smh.
You are really late in life. Stick to the subject your negative political a**hole. Give thanks and praise to a good citizen.
I sometimes wonder why do people like you have access to a computer to make such negative comments. Is it too hard for you to compliment the young man and wish him success? Does everything have to be political?
So because the government did all that Darren shouldn’t help shame on you……so hey the government is denying all that so you know what we should deny our fellow Dominicans also “too late” your a shameful idiot that putting politics in a mans good work
English is a difficult language. Where in my comment did i suggest that Darren should not give back?
SMh
Good job…Blessings on you.
Inspirational – good man.