Vice President of the Pierre Charles Foundation (PCF), Camilo Charles, hopes to equip young people in the Grand Bay community with what he calls a “a pair of boxing gloves” to defy the old saying that circumstances make you who you are.
Charles made the remarks at the official launch of the PCF which took place at the Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS) on Tuesday afternoon.
According to him, Buju Banton, the Jamaican reggae artist, expressed an ideology that “circumstances make us who we are,” but this ideology is crippling.
“I want to urge you to stand against this crippling ideology and prove wrong the people who feel that way. While circumstances may influence our thoughts and feelings, we cannot make it dictate who we are or who we become,” Charles said.
He made reference to his father, the late Pierre Charles, who served as Dominica’s prime minister from 2000 to 2004 and a member of parliament for Grand Bay from 1985 until his death in office, on January 6, 2004.
Camillo Charles said that the late prime minister was the sixth of eight children and was raised in a time where finances were a challenge and it was easy to be “derailed off a productive track.” However, Charles said, his father used avenues such as the cadette corps, the national youth council and farming, to positively change his “circumstances”.
He believes that his father is “proof” that the usual “excuses for the lack of hunger for development are not the best option but rather a weight holding back our steps for a brighter future.”
“Instead we should participate in groups and activities that build us as individuals in order to contribute more effectively to the whole,” Charles suggested, and added, “with the active participation of donors, business entities, community members and volunteers, the PCF hopes to enhance youth development activities.”
“The PCF refuses to idly sit by while the Buju Banton “circumstances” ideology cripples our youth. We will now arm them with a pair of boxing gloves to change the circumstances and enjoy a brighter future,” he stated.
Initially, the foundation will focus on the areas of education, sports and social opportunities that impacted positively on the life of Pierre Charles.
Beginning in the 2015-16 academic year, the PCF will be be awarding The Pierre Charles Scholarship based on need and merit, to a child who has passed the national assessment examination and is not already a recipient of government assistance.
The award will provide a cash amount of $500 and stationery for five years. Each year, a new recipient will be selected.
The PCF also adopted the Sword Preschool of Grand Bay which was highlighted as the only preschool which accepted the daughter of Pierre Charles, Faiza, at the tender age of 2 when no other pre-school would accept her.
The Foundation also plans to assist the Grand Bay cadet corps and sports development in the community.
The parliamentary representative for Grand Bay and widow of Pierre Charles, Justina Charles, donated $10,000 to the PCF and pledged her continued support.
The foundation’s website pierrecharlesfoundation.com, which was designed by Ezra Williams of Pichelin, was also launched.
acting P/M got the money from her graduity after the election she was so excited when she got it that when she remember her late husband so she say my husband its time i make use of all the money you left me .so she decide to put some of it to good use by putting up a foundation in his name not to late but better late than never thank you madame acting P.M
His wife and children are to be commended to ensure that his memory will always live on for his good works, his contribution to Dominica and now in the Pierre Charles Foundation.
RIP.
What an uninterested audience……did they come to the function willingly??????
can’t you see the guy with the machine gun next to the chalk board?
$10,000 is a big loan wee Justina take to put in that foundation papa.
If that came from her own pocket I applaud it but if from public funds I would be deeply worried.
camillo u is my padna so i want 2 congratulate u and ur family 4 all the positive moves allyou makin in d place. with dat being said tell your moda she made some promises 2 alot of us befor election so back up her wrds an check us
Congratulations to the children of the Late Prime Minister for honouring the memory of your Father in such a manner. Your mother should also be congratulated for doing such a marvellous job with her children under such trying times following the death of your father.
May the Soul of the Honourable Pierre Charles continue to Rest In Peace.
Camillio please can yours sister and your mum also help realize the road from Tete Morne to Souffriere your father planned for us. I really believe he would build that if he had been alive. A $500 scholarship I can happily pay myself but I don’t need a foundation for that but will do that anonymously as the Lord says we should do.
To James,
I have already put things in perspective and I’ll settle for quality over quantity any day.
The late Prime Minister Pierre Charles showed us what good leadership looks like during difficult economic times. And some of the political charlatans and masqueraders in office today should be very grateful for the austerity measures he was forced to implement. We are still reaping the results of some of those measures. I am convinced that when the dust settles, Pierre Charles will go down as one of the best Prime Ministers of our island nation.
A good idea.
I hope that pix was taken during a break in the proceedings.
Amazing how many people are NOT focused on any one area. Looks like it may have been a boring affair.
Congratulations on such a bold initiative. Pierre Charles is one that can be considered a true Patriot. I recall the days of the Work & Study group to which Pierre belonged which successfully assisted a lot of individuals to develop their leadership skills. That core of persons contributed significantly to the development of Grand Bay and most served in various capacities locally, regionally and internationally. Congratulations again.
How long was Mr Charles prime minister of Dominica?
He must have had super powers to have transformed Dominica so dramatically in such a very short tenure.
All I recall of Mr Charles, is that instead of building a sea wall which was desperately needed in Soufriere/Scott’s Head, he built the wall in Grand Bay which was not a priority.
I am trying to put things in oersoective!
The first thing Camillo needs to do is set an example. Camillo needs to begin with the man in the mirror and set an example for the youth he so desperatelyy wants to help. ……………….