A community-led public health initiative aimed at curbing rising childhood obesity rates has reached a major milestone in Dominica, with the Rotary Club of Dominica officially rolling out new drinking water infrastructure at two primary schools across the country.
On June 15, 2026, the organization formally handed over custom-built water fountains to the administrations of Roseau Primary School and Trafalgar Primary School during two dedicated campus ceremonies. This installation is the latest addition to the Rotary Club of Dominica’s flagship Childhood Obesity Programme, a long-running project designed to embed healthy habits in children from an early age.
The core goal of the new water fountain project is simple but impactful: to make clean, free drinking water easily accessible to students, encouraging them to reach for water instead of the sugary soft drinks and sweetened beverages that contribute to weight gain, metabolic issues, and long-term health risks. By expanding access to water on school grounds, the initiative aligns with national public health strategies that prioritize reducing childhood obesity prevalence and improving overall youth well-being across the island.
During the handover events, Kerissa Shillingford, a nutritionist from Dominica’s Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, addressed assembled students to talk through the critical benefits of consistent hydration and intentional, healthy food choices. Shillingford stressed that consistent water intake and balanced nutrition are foundational to lowering a child’s risk of developing obesity and other preventable non-communicable diseases later in life, urging students to prioritize water over sugary alternatives starting today.
To amplify the impact of the new fountains, the Rotary Club also distributed reusable water bottles to every student at the two participating schools. The durable bottles are designed to let children refill their water throughout the school day, whether moving between classes, attending recess, or participating in after-school activities, making consistent hydration far more convenient for young learners on busy campuses.
Dr. Jermaine Jewel Jean-Pierre, president of the Rotary Club of Dominica, opened the ceremonies by extending sincere gratitude to all partners that made the project possible. He specifically recognized the collaborative support from school administrators, teaching staff, participating students, and the Ministry of Health, which has aligned its public health outreach with the club’s Childhood Obesity Programme from its launch.
Dr. Jean-Pierre also highlighted that the entire project was funded through proceeds from the Rotary Club’s Annual Carnival Sunday Souse and Punch Fundraiser, one of the organization’s most prominent annual community fundraising events. He further expressed the club’s appreciation for the sponsors, event patrons, and local community supporters whose generous donations turned the infrastructure project from a plan into a tangible, usable resource for local students.
The Childhood Obesity Programme remains the Rotary Club of Dominica’s top community health priority. Beyond the installation of physical infrastructure, the program combines educational outreach, public awareness campaigns, and practical on-the-ground interventions to help children adopt better nutritional habits, increase daily physical activity, and maintain healthy lifestyles into adulthood.
Moving forward, the Rotary Club of Dominica reaffirmed its long-term commitment to developing and implementing community-focused projects that deliver lasting, meaningful benefits to young people across every region of the island, while continuing to partner with national public health bodies to advance shared goals for population health and well-being.