11 years ago today, Former Prime Minister Pierre Charles passed away, and in his honor, his family is to launch a foundation to ensure that his legacy lives on.
Charles’ wife, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Culture, Youth, Sports and Constituency Empowerment, Justina Charles, said the initiative came from their daughter, Faiza Charles-Sylvester.
“Today marks the 11th anniversary of the death of my husband, the former Prime Minister of Dominica,” She said. “Faiza has decided that she would like, in the honor of her father and to ensure that her father’s legacy lives on, that she would like to start the foundation.”
Pierre “Pierro” Charles served as Dominica’s Prime Minister from 2000 to 2004. He was Member of Parliament for Grand Bay from 1985 until his death on January 6, 2004. As prime minister, Charles introduced austerity measures which helped Dominica recover from a severe economic economic downturn which the country was experiencing at the time.
Charles said her family is in full support of the initiative.
“Definitely I have to give the full support to her; my son is on board, we are on board and we are going to give the full support to the initiative which we think is very important and interesting.”
She said the foundation will provide educational, social and sporting opportunities for young people.
“He [Pierre Charles] was a person that was very interested in the educational development of our young people, so we will be definitely paying attention to the educational aspect of our youth development and social aspect and sports, these are the three areas where we will be concentrating in terms of the foundation,” she explained.
She said that they are hoping to expand the services and raise enough funds so that the foundation can become sustainable as it continues to grow.
The launch of the foundation and a website is to be held from 5 pm today at the Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS).
His Excellency Charles Savarin, other ministers of government and close friends of Pierre Charles are expected to be in attendance.
The gesture was born by Faiza and not her mother. You guys are making this thing political when it does not deserve to be. The foundation, from my reading is aimed at helping disadvantage youth in Dominica. I think it is a great means of keeping her father’s legacy alive. Great job Abena
Well then, she should make sure her mother keep her nose out of it.
The only way forward is a head for the monument on the bay side and clean the beoulevard keep it looking like you love him…
I respected Pierre Charles as an honest man, sincere in his desire for improving the lot of all people. However, there is a sense of unease at the fact that his wido owes her political ascendency to the popularity of her late husband, far less to her own achievements. Let’s be honest, she would never have been consideration as a candidate by spielmaster Skerrit, were it not for her husbands standing in the community.
There is a danger to see the establishment of a foundation in his name as the perpetuation of his legacy for his descendants’ benefits. Will they be the ones financing this foundation, which I trust has charitable (read tax exempt) status. Will they be in charge of administering it? There is nothing inherently wrong in remembering such a loved leader but it should always be in remembrance of him and not become a side show for his family. We have seen how much controversy and recriminations that caused with Mandela.
Instead of giving this venture your encouragement and applauding it, some of you choose to judge the PM and Justina and their character. Are you not out of place? In your opinion, who are you to dictate to her whom she should associate with? How dare you?
Some people have flaws in one way and others in another way. Who is perfect? What about your character? What you project on this Website, it is no better than the PM. Ask yourselves, you fault finders and judgmental ones, how many of you would some others want to associate with?
Your comments are boring, uninteresting and uninspiring, always blowing the same trumpet and playing that broken record with comments you cannot prove. If you were to be charged for libel, you should be imprisoned. No amount of money paid could suffice to restore the good name of others you tarnish and on this Website.
I do not know why DNO would allow these types of comments. If DNO loses readers, you wicked hearts and minds are to be…
Facts, by putting herself and her family in the public domain and being a servant of the citizens she must expect comments, including criticisms.
If only the comments were constructive. There are too much of them which are uncalled for. Note what they stated. Some comments are unkind and uncalled for. There are some people who love to criticize. They never have anything good and positive to state. This is what I am referring to.
Eheh Facts. You are calling the kettle black? You of all people have the nerve to talk about too many (note: “too much” is grammatically incorrect) uncalled-for comments that are not constructive that are unkind? Indeed there are people who love to to criticise (note I am using the correct English spelling, like you were taught at the Convent school) and never have anything good and positive to stagte. Well, count yourself amongst them. Happy New Year to you all the same.
@the facts create your own online news paper then you will be able to choose whom you want to have access and to comment . stop fretting about other people’s comments and stop that bizzare behaviour of yours!!!!
That’s a very good idea but nurse charles you knew that your decease husband was not corrupt but right now you are with Ali BaBa and his forty thieves. Where is the consciense ?
A Foundation should be formed with one’s own money.
Are you aware this is a narrow-minded comment?
Not necessarily. Some people contribute to it including the government. It has to be maintained for years to come and funds used must be replenished. You should know it gets more expensive annually.
The best way to honour Pierre Charles is for his family and friends to distance themselves from the corrupt government that followed in Pierre Charles’ footsteps.
Who are your friends and associates? You also have a family. What are their character and lifestyle like? When you make such comments, think of them and who they are including yourself. Do not be like goody two shoes and the pot calling the kettle black.
A foundation is his name is a fantastic idea. He really was a man of the people.
Pierre Charles’ legacy died the moment his wife Justina Charles decided to join herself with Roosevelt Skerrit. There are no two ways about it. In my opinion Skerrit hurt the political image of Skerrit while Justina killed his legacy. What foundation does she want to build him now?
Thank you for saying PEOPLE and not PERSONS
Oh pedantic person. Are people not persons? What are your views on this Pierre Charles foundation?
Pierre Charles was an honest man and for the poor people.Justina he is not happy with whom you associate with right now.
Utter rubbish. Insensitive Dominican people. Pierro was a hero and a hero he will be seen as. Wonderful gesture. Pay no mind to the hypocrisy of our people. Thank God for Pierro. Austerity measures had to be taken and that’s the reason we are afloat today. Thank God for the sacrifices made by Pierro. We are reaping the benefits big time now.
Woe be one to the critics. Everything that is positive and true we term it bad. And everything bad and ridiculous we label it good. People of God echoing the same sentiments as the people of the world. We do not know whether we going or coming. Heaven help us all.
Justina I salute and applaud you. Wonderful gesture. All the critics stand to benefit. Just wait a little while longer and you will see who coming to ask for favors. (The Critics).
Jefferson, maybe you are reaping the benefits big time now but most of us are not. In fact, I will be lucky to find a hand of bananas to buy right now.
PS. My apologies Jamerson, I did get your name wrong.