Homeward Bound: Caribbean Returnees

They moved to Britain half a century ago, found work, had families and built new lives. And now they're moving back…


Eustace Maxim thought I might be the cable technician. An appointment had been made for no definite time, so there was nothing to do but wait. But from the vantage point of his veranda in Jimmit, with its panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea, there are worse places you can watch the world go by. When he thinks of what he'd be doing now if he'd retired in Plaistow, east London, he says, "If I was in England, all I would be doing is staying home and watching television."

Instead he is back on the island of Dominica, the place where he was born, which he left and to which he has now returned. The end point on a lifelong project across oceans, aspirations, cultures and generations that has landed him pretty much right back where he started. His story is a common one. "I left Dominica when I was 23," says Maxim, 72. "Going to England was a means to an end. I never intended to spend so long there. I wanted something better for my children, and everyone was going at that time." cont./

Courtesy of: Guardian

Dominica Inks Water Deal With Colorado Company

A United States-based company has confirmed that it has signed a deal with the Dominica government for the shipment of billions of gallons of river water to parched countries around the globe.

Telluride, Colorado-based Sisserou Water Inc. said over the weekend that it signed the deal with the Roosevelt Skerrit-led government in Dominica to collect drinking water from the volcanic island’s interior and ship it to countries as far away as the Middle East.

Sisserou president Tim Jilek said the company will invest US$32 million to build a pipeline, terminal and storage tanks in Dominica’s rugged north.

"This is an island that gets 300 inches (760 centimeters) of rain each year, and the water comes out totally clean," Jilek said, adding that the business will generate revenue and jobs for Dominica cont./

Courtesy of: Caribbean Life News

Dominica to Vote in Yuletide General Election 2009

Dominica General Election Day Announced 18th December, 2009...

ROSEAU, Dominica, November 20, 2009 - Dominicans will go to the polls just a week before Christmas to elect a new government.

Following speculation that an early election would be called, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit told supporters attending a Dominical Labour Party (DLP) political meeting last night that the date has been set for December 18th.

Elections are due by May 2010.

"In accordance with the powers vested in me as Prime Minister of this country under Section 54 of the Constitution of Dominica I have today instructed His Excellency the President to dissolve the Parliament of Dominica with immediate effect and to issue a writ for the calling of general election in Dominica," Skerrit said, adding that Nomination Day will be December 2nd. 2009 ELECTION RESULTS...!!!

Courtesy of: Caribbean360

Dominica Books - Nature Island Literary Festival on Facebook

In an effort to further promote and improve our annual Nature Island Literary Festival and encourage & support our local writers and poets, we have created a Facebook page.

If you are a Facebook user then please "Become a Fan" and join us, if you haven't already http://www.facebook.com/NatureIslandLiteraryFestival

Two sections in particular to draw your attention to:

1. To raise awareness of our local literature, we have started a photo album of book front cover images, called "Local Literary Work".
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=122748&l=a2265a6801&id=175372073696


2. Under the "Discussions" section, please share any ideas you have on ways to improve the literary festival and increase awareness and participation
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nature-Island-Literary-Festival/175372073696?v=app_2373072738#/topic.php?uid=175372073696&topic=10564

Looking forward to seeing you on facebook.

Posted by: Celia Sorhaindo

Dominica - Independence Celebration Photos 2009

I love this time of year, the celebration of our Independence, cultural history & traditions. I especially love to see the kids getting involved.

A Big Thank You to all the people behind the scenes who make these events possible cont./

Photos from the various events:

Posted by: Celia
Courtesy of: TropicallyTied

Dominica - President's Independence Message 2009

Independence Message from
His Excellency, The Hon. Dr. Nicholas J. O. Liverpool, D.A.H. O.C.C
President of the Commonwealth Of Dominica

November 2009
Roseau

Fellow Dominicans,

I greet you on the commemoration of the Thirty-First Anniversary of our Independence.

As we proudly celebrate this event we need to give thanks to Almighty God for bringing us thus far and to congratulate ourselves for the progress that we have made in our social, political, cultural and economic development.

We should remain resolute in our determination to continue to work hard to build on our accomplishments; and always remember that the true meaning of independence must come from within ourselves – from our dreams and hopes for our country, and the kind of society we wish for ourselves and our nation.

We as a people and nation should be proud of the advancement which we have made in the last 31 years in the area of education where every child is given the opportunity to access secondary and tertiary education; in the area of health where senior citizens 60 years and older and children below 18 years have free access to health care; in the implementation of the "Yes We Care Programme" which makes allowance to provide improved care for our abandoned senior citizens, just to name a few. We must always remember the hard work of our farmers, families, the public and private sectors, non-governmental agencies, community based organizations, volunteer groups, and the efforts of our past leaders who paved the way for a better Dominica and made it possible for us to enjoy these 31 years of political independence cont./

Courtesy of: Dominica Government

Dominica Independence Day 2009

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Dominica as they celebrate 31 years as an independent nation on November 3. The bonds of friendship that unite our two countries are based on a shared commitment to democracy and development. The United States values our broad partnership with Dominica that enhances the security and prosperity of all our people. As Dominicans gather to enjoy the festivals that mark this occasion, I offer them our warmest wishes and best hopes for a bright future cont./




Courtesy of: USA Government

Dominica - Independence @ Military Parade 2009

Saluting Dominica's Independence @ Military Parade...

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Windsor Park Stadium Dominica


Turning the Wheel of Change @ Military Parade...

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An excellent take on turning the wheels for change. Dominica's Military Parade, Windsor Park Stadium.


Dominica’s Wheel of Change...

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Creating the wheel of change for Dominica, as we march to Forward we go…Are you a part of the change?


Fire Department@ Dominica Military Parade...

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Our heritage, our pride, our culture. Celebrating all that is great about Dominica.


Cadet Core at Dominica Military Parade...

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Dominica’s proud youth: Cadet Core at Military Parade, Windsor Park Stadium, Dominica


St. Lucia Salutes Dominica...

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One Caribbean, one flag. Dominica’s Military Parade @ Windsor Park Stadium. A different take on the idea of the Military Parade. We could learn so much from each other.

Videos Courtesy of: CaiVideos
Courtesy of: Government Information Service

Dominica - World Creole Music Festival 2009 - Day Two

The World Creole Music Festival (WCMF)was conceived out of a need to provide a stage for Dominican Musician and musical expressions, and to increase Dominica’s visibility overseas.

Held during the last weekend in October, and now in it’s thirteenth year, the 3-night festival has grown to one of the only truly indigenous music event in Dominica and the Eastern Caribbean.

The creole festival has attracted some of the most renowned musical groups and soloists from the creole-speaking world. Groups such as Ti-Vice, First Serenade, Zouk Machine, Magnum Band, Zin, Taxi Creole, Kassav, Tabou Combo, Exile One, Gramacks/New Generation, WCK, Carimi among others as well as solo artists like Sakis, Ophelia, Tania St. Valle, and Franky Vincent have thrilled festival audiences over the years cont./

Courtesy of: Dominica Weekly

Dominica - National Wob Dwiyet 2009 Title Goes to Marigot for First Time (photo gallery included)

For the first time a young woman of Marigot has won the title of Miss Wob Dwiyet in the person of Samantha Yankey.

Yankey also walked away with the Best Performing Talent Award.

The first runner-up is Kerna Joseph of Massacre (west), and second runner-up is Cady Angol of Grand Bay (south).

Joseph won the best speactacular wear award, while Angol secured the best in wob award cont./


Courtesy of: Dominica News Online
Courtesy of: Dominica News Online - UPDATE

Dominica - World Creole Music Festival 2009 Highlights Day One (photo gallery included)

Vin and Alan Cave opened night one of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), giving the patrons a taste of a mixture of Compas and Zouk music.

Swinging Stars, celebrating 50 years as usual gave the audience something to talk about, with front members Daddy Chess and Tasha Peltier on the vocals. The crowd was very responsive and followed the commands from Daddy Chess when he sang his famous song “Forward We Go”.

French band “La Perfecta” with its band members all dressed in white put on a very entertaining French performance.

The highly anticipated Kassav band did not disappoint, rather left fans well satisfied and begging for more, as they delivered the high quality music which they are known for. The band members were well coordinated and in sync with each other throughout their performances. The band’s guitarist and keyboardist both had their solo moments in which they showed the crowd how talented and skilled they truly are cont./

Courtesy of: Dominica News Online

Dominica - Roseau Market Day with a Difference Prime Minister Skerrit Talks Healthy Living

In his address at the Roseau Market Day with a Difference this morning he said we should thank God for blessing the country with an abundance of fruits, vegetables and meats, which are available at the Roseau Market for the nutrition of the entire population.

“As a Government we are concerned about the increasing incidents of diseases and related non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity and certain cancers among the population. We encourage a higher level of consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet of families,” PM Skerrit advised.

He asked persons to exercise due diligence in the foods they eat, recognising that the practice of eating fruits and vegetables can have a measurable impact on the population’s health status cont./

Courtesy of: Dominica News Online
Courtesy of: Dominica Weekly