In a landmark initiative blending international cooperation with youth development, the Rotary Club of Dominica has officially transferred a fully renovated poultry housing facility to the 4-H Club at Grand Bay Primary School. The ceremonial handover occurred on January 16, 2026, representing a strategic investment in practical education and food security.
Funded through a collaborative financial injection of EC $27,000 from the Rotary Club of Gateshead (England) and District 1030 (UK), the project transcends mere infrastructure. The revitalized coop arrives operational, stocked with an initial flock of 50 broilers and 50 layers, ensuring immediate project viability and hands-on learning opportunities.
Dr. Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre, President of the Rotary Club of Dominica, articulated the project’s deeper purpose during the ceremony. He emphasized that the facility serves as a dynamic classroom for cultivating essential life competencies. “This chicken coop is more than a structure; it is an investment in the future of our children,” he stated. The initiative is designed to equip students with tangible skills in animal husbandry, entrepreneurship, teamwork, and livestock management, while simultaneously fostering an appreciation for agriculture’s role in sustainable development.
The project’s design incorporates a self-sustaining economic model. Principal Evans James expressed profound gratitude to the international Rotary partners, highlighting the project’s dual impact on education and community nourishment. Revenue generated from selling eggs to local residents will be channeled directly back into funding the school’s feeding program and covering ongoing operational costs for the coop, such as feed and supplies.
The event, attended by students, educators, and Rotary representatives, stood as a testament to the power of global partnerships in driving local community advancement. This poultry project is a component of the Rotary Club of Dominica’s broader commitment to executing impactful, sustainable projects across the island in collaboration with both local and international allies.