标签： Dominica

多米尼克

Dominica to return to revived ANOECS athletics championships with nine-member team

After nearly a decade away from one of the Caribbean’s most prominent regional track and field competitions, Dominica is gearing up to mark its long-awaited return. The country’s Olympic Committee (DOC) and Athletics Association (DAA) made a joint official announcement confirming Dominica’s participation in the 2026 ANOECS Track and Field Championships, which will be hosted from July 4 to 5, 2026, in St. Kitts and Nevis.

The regional championships were put on hold following the 2017 edition – the same year Dominica last took part in the event – making the 2026 gathering the official revival of the competition after a nine-year suspension.

Dominica will send a compact, competitive delegation of nine total members to the upcoming meet: eight rising and established athletes, accompanied by one head coach. Leading the contingent is Joel Hamilton, a seasoned coaching professional who currently holds the role of Club Representative for the DAA. The selected roster features athletes with prior international experience representing Dominica at the CARIFTA Games, and many of the competitors are also using the 2026 ANOECS Championships as a key preparation step for this year’s upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games and Youth Olympic Games.

The full list of competitors includes: Jamical Titre, who will compete in the shot put event; Khaarim John Baptiste and Khumar John Baptiste, both set to contest the triple jump and high jump; Nycarl Williams, who will compete in the javelin throw; Keyoni Esprit, who will race the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints; Akiesha Luke, who is entered in the 400-meter and 800-meter middle-distance events; and Jeriah Lewis and Jaden Joseph, who will both compete in the long jump.

Billy Doctrove, who holds dual roles as President of the Dominica Olympic Committee and Board Member of ANOECS, shared his enthusiasm for the revival of the championships and Dominica’s return. “I am very pleased ANOECS have taken steps to revive high level competition within the OECS, as is testament to the revival of this Track and Field Championships,” Doctrove said. He also extended gratitude to PANAM Sports for its critical funding and support that has made the 2026 championships and other ANOECS events this year possible. “I am confident Dominica will represent well, not just in athletic talent but also as young sports ambassadors and implore all members of the team to view this as a critical step in their athletic career,” he added.

Brendan Williams, President of the Dominica Athletics Association, echoed that confidence in the selected national team. “On behalf of the Dominica Athletics Association, I am proud to see a team of talented local athletes representing our nation at the ANOECS Championships,” Williams said. “This group possesses tremendous promise, dedication, and the potential to make a significant mark on the regional stage. We have every confidence that they will compete with pride, determination, and the spirit that defines Dominican athletics. We wish them every success as they carry our flag with honor.”

Per the DAA’s official statement, the 2026 ANOECS Championships serves a key developmental purpose for Dominica’s athletes: it will give rising competitors the chance to gain high-stakes regional competition experience while continuing their targeted preparations for the major international games on the 2026 calendar.

2 7 月, 2026
Sixteen new certified tour guides graduate in Kalinago Territory under UNDP-supported programme

Sixteen Kalinago Territory community members have officially become certified professional tour guides, marking a major milestone in efforts to grow inclusive, community-led indigenous tourism and expand local economic opportunity across the region.

The graduating cohort, made up of 10 women and six men, completed a rigorous, months-long training initiative before receiving their certification during a formal ceremony hosted at Barana Autê. The event drew a cross-section of attendees, including senior Dominican government officials, Kalinago community leadership, representatives from international development partners, local institutional stakeholders, and family members of the graduates, who gathered to honor the participants’ hard work and reaffirm shared commitments to sustainable, community-centered tourism development in the territory.

Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Cozier Frederick, Dominica’s Minister for Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment; Annette Sanford, Chief of the Kalinago people; Duane Silverstein, Executive Director of conservation non-profit SeaCology; delegates from Dominica State College; members of the Kalinago Council; UNDP representatives; and other invited stakeholders.

The training programme was organized through a collaborative partnership between the Kalinago Council, Dominica State College, and the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association. Joint funding for the initiative was provided by the Strengthening Community Resilience in the Kalinago Territory (SCR-K) Project and SeaCology. The SCR-K Project itself is financed by the Government of India and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in coordination with the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment. The broader initiative works alongside the Kalinago Council and other local and national partners to build resilient local livelihoods through a range of focus areas: climate-smart agriculture, sustainable forest management, eco-indigenous tourism, and community capacity building.

UNDP officials note that the tour guide training perfectly embodies the collaborative, community-centered approach at the core of the SCR-K Project. The Kalinago Council had already prioritized tour guide capacity building as a key step to grow tourism within the territory, and the initiative aligns directly with one of the SCR-K Project’s core objectives: expanding access to training for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and tourism stakeholders in the eco-indigenous tourism sector. By aligning with the council’s existing priorities and partnering with local and organizational stakeholders, the project avoided redundant efforts and maximized long-term development impact for the community.

Run from February 21 to April 4, 2026, the curriculum blended structured classroom instruction with hands-on fieldwork and practical exercises to equip participants with the full range of knowledge and skills needed to deliver authentic, high-quality visitor experiences. Instruction was led by faculty from Dominica State College, with additional technical support provided by the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association. The curriculum covered a diverse set of core competencies: tourism industry fundamentals, Kalinago Territory history, cultural and heritage interpretation for Kalinago traditions, local flora and fauna identification, birdwatching and natural heritage interpretation, customer service, professional ethics, emergency first aid, and practical on-the-ground tour management techniques. To earn their certification, graduates were required to pass both comprehensive written examinations and hands-on practical assessments.

Addressing the gathering of graduates and guests, Minister Cozier Frederick emphasized that the training represents far more than just learning tour leadership skills. “Guide training is far more than learning how to lead a tour. It is about becoming ambassadors of our people, our culture, and our environment. Through proper training, we preserve and share our history with accuracy and pride. We provide visitors with meaningful and memorable experiences that reflect the true identity of our community. We also develop the knowledge and skills to ensure the safety and well-being of those in our care. Guide training creates valuable employment opportunities and strengthens our tourism industry by promoting professionalism and excellence. Most importantly, it inspires us to protect our natural environment and cultural heritage so that future generations can continue to benefit from them,” Frederick said.

Kalinago Chief Annette Sanford also commended the graduates for their dedication throughout the programme, and reminded them of their unique responsibility to share the authentic history and identity of the Kalinago people with the world. “As tour guides, you now hold a very special responsibility. You have the privilege of telling the Kalinago story the way it deserves to be told. For many years, textbooks and outside narratives have misrepresented who we are. We have often said that these stories need correcting. Well, we are part of that correction. Every visitor we guide gives you an opportunity to tell the truth. Tell them our story with confidence. Tell it with pride. Tell it with authenticity,” Sanford stated.

Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Project Analyst Sawana Fabien noted that the graduation ceremony marks far more than the successful completion of a single training course. “Today is a celebration of commitment, perseverance, and your willingness to invest in yourselves, your families, and your community. When the Kalinago Council identified this training as one of its priorities, the SCR-K Project responded because we believe development should be driven by the aspirations of communities themselves – not by what a project thinks a community needs. That is the essence of partnership, and I believe the relationship between UNDP, the Government of Dominica, the Kalinago Council, and our implementing partners is one that should be celebrated. Our commitment does not end today. We remain committed to working alongside the Kalinago people, listening to your priorities, strengthening local capacity, and building partnerships that create opportunities for today and for future generations,” Fabien said. She added that the SCR-K Project centers its work on building community resilience by investing in people, local institutions, and collaborative partnerships, so communities have the skills, confidence, and access to opportunity needed to lead their own sustainable development trajectories.

SeaCology Executive Director Duane Silverstein also reaffirmed his organization’s longstanding commitment to supporting conservation and community-led development initiatives that protect the Kalinago Territory’s one-of-a-kind natural and cultural heritage.

Looking ahead, the newly certified guides are expected to play a transformative role in advancing the Kalinago Territory’s long-term vision for indigenous tourism, while opening new pathways for local employment, community entrepreneurship, and grassroots leadership. As Dominica prepares for a projected increase in international visitor arrivals, driven in part by the expansion of the country’s tourism infrastructure including the opening of a new international airport, the training programme ensures the Kalinago Territory is well-positioned to welcome guests with authentic, high-quality cultural and nature-based tourism experiences.

Beyond equipping individual participants with marketable professional skills, the initiative is also expected to strengthen the Kalinago community’s ability to manage tourism growth sustainably, safeguard irreplaceable cultural heritage, and ensure that the full economic benefits of tourism development remain within the local territory. UNDP confirms that the SCR-K Project will continue its work alongside the Kalinago Council and its partner organizations to support additional initiatives that build resilient local livelihoods, empower indigenous communities, and preserve the Kalinago Territory’s distinctive cultural and environmental heritage for future generations.

1 7 月, 2026
Edline Harris unveiled as Roseau South candidate, promises community-centred leadership

Dominica’s United Progressive Party (UPP) has formally unveiled Edline Harris as its electoral candidate for the Roseau South constituency, framing her as a deeply connected local leader dedicated to advancing community interests ahead of the upcoming vote. At her official launch event, Harris accepted the party’s nomination, framing her candidacy as a natural extension of lifelong ties to the area and a deeply rooted ambition to lift the quality of life for all district residents.

Calling the nomination one of the most transformative milestones of her life, Harris emphasized that she is not stepping into the race as just another political hopeful, but as a proud “daughter of the soil” who has shared in the daily joys and struggles of Roseau South residents. Opening her address, she framed her campaign as entirely people-focused, rejecting personal ambition in favor of amplifying the voices of ordinary constituents who have long been sidelined by political leadership.

Harris argued that countless residents of the constituency have felt ignored and unrepresented for far too long, and pledged to be a visible, accessible public servant that remains engaged with community needs long after election day. “I will keep listening, learning, advocating, and working every single day to build a better Roseau South,” she told assembled supporters, outlining a broad, actionable policy agenda tailored to local economic and social needs.

At the core of Harris’ vision is a constituency where young people can build meaningful careers and access high-quality education without relocating away from their home country. To support local economic vitality, she has proposed targeted policy frameworks to boost small business growth by attracting new investment and fostering local innovation. One of her flagship infrastructure proposals is the development of a commercial juicing factory in Roseau South, a project she says will create hundreds of local jobs, strengthen Dominica’s agricultural sector, and deliver broad economic benefits to both the constituency and the entire island nation.

Harris also laid out plans to revitalize Roseau South’s bayside waterfront, proposing environmental upgrades and public space improvements that would position the area as a top tourist destination. The project would encourage longer visitor stays, driving more revenue for local restaurants, retailers, and cultural attractions while advancing sustainable, environmentally conscious economic growth.

To address longstanding local transportation challenges, Harris has proposed constructing a new bypass road connecting the communities of Newtown and Loubière, a project designed to cut chronic congestion on routes entering and exiting Roseau, reducing commute times for workers, students and businesses. For the island’s floriculture sector, she proposed positioning the communities of Eggleston and Giraudel as Dominica’s official “flower basket”, and upgrading the existing Flower Show Site into a year-round tourist attraction that generates consistent income for local farmers, vendors, and transportation providers.

Upgrading core community infrastructure is another central policy priority for Harris. She emphasized that every neighborhood deserves access to properly paved, well-maintained roads to improve public safety, reduce vehicle costs, and expand access to essential services including schools, healthcare facilities, and local businesses. Beyond infrastructure, Harris has pledged to advance greater governmental transparency and accountability, promising a constituency where leaders collaborate with residents rather than speak at them, and transparency replaces bureaucratic secrecy.
“Restoring hope to the community will be the foundation of my leadership,” Harris said, framing hope as the core driver of stronger families, empowered young people, and meaningful national progress. She called on Roseau South residents to join her in building a grassroots movement rooted in compassion, integrity, and the core belief that every resident deserves to be seen and heard. She urged voters to reject political division, embrace mutual respect and open dialogue, and prioritize national and community interests over partisan gain.

In closing, Harris encouraged all eligible residents to confirm their voter registration and participate in the upcoming election, describing voting as a fundamental democratic duty. In her full keynote address, she expanded on her people-first approach, noting that her campaign centers the needs of struggling single mothers, unemployed young graduates, dignity-seeking senior citizens, and persevering small business owners – all groups that have felt unheard by past leadership. “Leadership is not measured by titles, it is measured by the lives you improve and the trust you earn through consistent service,” she said, promising to remain present in communities year-round, rather than only appearing during campaign season.
“We have a shared opportunity to write a new chapter for Roseau South, one built on hard work, honesty, unity, and hope instead of empty promises,” she added, ending her address with a blessing for the constituency and the Commonwealth of Dominica.

1 7 月, 2026
Africa-Caribbean initiative puts soil at the centre of climate and food security discussions

Against a backdrop of rising climate vulnerability and growing global food insecurity, a groundbreaking cross-continental knowledge-sharing initiative centered on climate-resilient agriculture has officially launched, connecting a diverse community of experts, policymakers, researchers, and smallholder farmers to reframe soil as a cornerstone of climate adaptation, sustainable development, and food system stability.

Organized by the Caribbean Climate Responsive Agriculture Forum (CCRAF) in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and environmental advocacy group The Allure of Soil, the new Africa-Caribbean Connect Knowledge Exchange Initiative opened with its first public webinar on June 2, 2026. Titled “Why Soil Changes Everything: Reframing Soil as the Foundation of Climate, Food and Water Systems and Development,” the online event drew more than 350 live attendees spanning the Caribbean, Africa, and other global regions.

Unlike traditional climate discourse that often overlooks below-ground ecosystems, the webinar positioned healthy soil as far more than inert growing medium, framing it as a dynamic, living foundation that underpins climate regulation, global biodiversity, freshwater security, agricultural output, and rural livelihoods across the world. Discussions were led by a cross-regional cohort of specialists spanning soil science, agroforestry, climate policy, and sustainable land management, bringing together on-the-ground experience and academic expertise from two regions disproportionately impacted by climate change but rich in indigenous and practical agricultural knowledge.

In her opening remarks, Nekelia Gregoire Carai, IICA’s Technical Specialist in Soil and Water Management and CCRAF Coordinator, emphasized that the new initiative marks a critical milestone in strengthening collaborative ties between the two regions. “The launch of the CCRAF Africa-Caribbean Connect Initiative represents an important milestone in building stronger bridges between Africa and the Caribbean. Both regions are rich in agricultural knowledge, innovation, and resilience. Through collaboration and practical knowledge exchange, we can strengthen food systems, empower communities, and accelerate climate action across both regions,” she said.

Established in 2015, CCRAF has operated for over a decade as a leading regional platform for knowledge sharing and climate action across the Caribbean. Coordinated through IICA, the forum already supports a wide portfolio of activities designed to advance climate-resilient agriculture, including regional training programs, youth engagement projects, knowledge-to-action networks, and international partnerships. The Africa-Caribbean Connect Series marks the forum’s first formal, sustained cross-continental collaboration focused on soil health.

Marete Selvin, founder of The Allure of Soil, noted that the dialogue filled a longstanding gap in global climate and development planning. “Soil is often invisible in many climate and development conversations, yet it sustains every major system we depend on. This session challenged participants to rethink soil not as dirt, but as living infrastructure essential to climate resilience, food security, water systems, biodiversity, and economic development. The Africa-Caribbean dialogue demonstrated the incredible opportunity we have when communities and regions learn from one another,” she explained.

Chaney St Martin, IICA’s International Specialist in Water and Soil Management, unpacked the scientific case for prioritizing soil health during his presentation, outlining how healthy soil functions as a self-sustaining ecosystem that sequesters carbon, regulates hydrological cycles, supports beneficial microbial life, and boosts agricultural resilience to extreme climate events. He illustrated that degraded soils undermine the effectiveness of common agricultural investments, from irrigation infrastructure to synthetic fertilizers, drastically limiting the impact of climate adaptation efforts. “Soil is not simply a growing medium; it is living infrastructure that underpins climate stability, water systems, food production, and ultimately human survival,” St Martin emphasized.

Attendees also received on-the-ground insights from East Africa, where regenerative soil practices have already delivered transformative results for smallholder communities. Mercy Karunditu, Director of External Relations and Advocacy at Trees for the Future, shared case studies of the organization’s Forest Garden Approach, an integrated model that combines tree planting, intercropping, composting, and regenerative farming techniques to reverse land degradation while boosting crop yields and household income. She highlighted a successful project in Tanzania, where coordinated soil restoration turned extensive degraded farmland back into a productive, biodiverse ecosystem. “Healthy soils are not just environmental assets, they are economic assets that improve livelihoods, stabilize communities, and strengthen long-term food security,” Karunditu noted.

From a global policy perspective, Rico Rau, Policy and Research Consultant for the international Save Soil movement, outlined the systemic changes required to scale regenerative agriculture worldwide. Rau explained that widespread soil restoration offers a cost-effective, scalable solution to overlapping global crises, from food insecurity and biodiversity collapse to freshwater scarcity, while also generating long-term economic opportunity for rural farming communities. He stressed that a coordinated multi-sector effort is required to drive the transition, with critical roles for national governments, local communities, financial institutions, and educational systems. “Restoring soil is not only an environmental necessity, it is one of the most practical and scalable solutions available for climate adaptation and strengthening global food systems,” Rau said.

Post-webinar audience polls found that attendees overwhelmingly identified food systems and freshwater systems as the two areas facing the greatest risk from ongoing soil degradation. Participants across the Caribbean, Africa, and other regions contributed actively to the event via live chat and question-and-answer sessions, praising the webinar for combining rigorous scientific insight, indigenous knowledge, narrative storytelling, and actionable, on-the-ground solutions to address shared climate challenges. Organizers noted that the high level of engagement reflects growing global momentum around soil restoration and regenerative agriculture as core components of effective climate action. The initiative is set to host additional events and collaborative projects in the coming year to continue building cross-regional capacity and advancing shared goals for climate-resilient development.

1 7 月, 2026
Exclusive report: New study raises fresh questions about security vetting in Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programmes

For years, Eastern Caribbean governments have operated Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, which grant citizenship to foreign applicants in exchange for substantial financial investment. As international scrutiny of these schemes has grown over the past decade, regional authorities have repeatedly defended their protocols, emphasizing that rigorous background checks and globally recognized due diligence frameworks effectively block high-risk and criminal applicants from securing citizenship. But a new peer-reviewed academic study published in the *Global Crime* journal, titled *Passports, Transactions and Trust: Middle Eastern Financial Executives on Money Laundering Risks in Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Schemes*, calls these official assurances into question, based on firsthand testimony from senior international banking leaders.

1 7 月, 2026
CARICOM to hold regional meeting on issues affecting Rastafarians

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is moving forward with a landmark regional effort to confront long-standing inequities facing Rastafarian communities across the bloc, organizing a high-level gathering that will bring together member state representatives and community stakeholders to address widespread systemic challenges.

In an official press statement announcing the initiative, CARICOM outlined that the plan was formalized during the 42nd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, held on May 8, 2026. The decision comes amid sustained, growing concerns over persistent discrimination and social marginalization that Rastafarians continue to face both across Caribbean nations and on the global stage. During the leadership gathering, regional heads of government openly acknowledged that Rastafarian residents regularly encounter structural barriers that limit access to core opportunities in everyday life, spanning equitable access to education, gainful employment, and full, unhindered participation in public governance and community life. Leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to upholding equal rights for Rastafarians, stressing that the community must receive the same legal protections, social recognition, and fundamental rights guaranteed to all other groups within Caribbean society.

To turn this commitment into tangible action, CARICOM member states have voted to establish a dedicated regional committee tasked with examining the full scope of challenges impacting Rastafarian communities at both the regional and international levels. The committee will draw representation from five key CARICOM nations: Barbados, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. It will be responsible for advancing inclusive discussions with Rastafarian stakeholders and developing evidence-based, practical policy solutions to address the harms and inequities raised by community members.

The meeting also highlighted that a number of individual CARICOM nations have already taken unilateral steps to redress historical injustices against the Rastafarian community. These early actions include formal government apologies for past discriminatory policies, targeted land grants to Rastafarian groups, and the passage of new anti-discrimination legislation that bans unfair treatment of Rastafarians in workplaces. Regional leaders framed these national-level efforts as important examples of meaningful progress, which can now serve as a foundation for a more coordinated, bloc-wide approach to advancing equity.

The upcoming regional discussion is expected to create a collaborative space for governments, civil society partners, and Rastafarian representatives to examine these issues in greater depth. Participants will work to identify shared strategies for strengthening legal protections for Rastafarian rights and embedding greater social inclusion across all member states of the Caribbean Community.

1 7 月, 2026
Wayne George Football Academy receives EC$5,000 support from RUBIS

Dominica’s long-running grassroots football program, the Wayne George Football Academy, has received critical financial support from local fuel brand Team RUBIS to upgrade its athlete resources ahead of the organization’s upcoming competitive fixtures. In a recent official press statement, the academy announced the EC$5,000 donation, which will be allocated exclusively to purchasing new team uniforms and modern football training and match equipment for its young roster of players.

The contribution from Team RUBIS is designed not just to outfit athletes for upcoming matches, but also to sustain the academy’s 15-plus-year mission of nurturing youth football talent across the island nation. Vanalda Henry-Vidal, Accounts Executive at RUBIS, noted that the company was proud to formalize this partnership with the community-focused academy.

“Sports play a fundamental role in shaping the next generation of leaders, instilling core values like collaborative teamwork, personal discipline, and persistent resilience,” Henry-Vidal said in a statement shared alongside the announcement. “We are honored to contribute to an initiative that directly improves young lives and makes our local community stronger.”

Wayne George, founder and head coach of the academy, expressed sincere gratitude for Team RUBIS’ investment in the program and its young athletes. He emphasized that corporate partnerships like this are instrumental to the academy’s work of growing football talent and molding well-rounded, responsible citizens out of program participants. “A huge thank you to RUBIS for partnering with us to nurture young football talent and help us build future leaders and community members. We deeply appreciate this support and look forward to continuing our collaboration moving forward,” George said.

Founded all the way back in 2008, the Wayne George Football Academy is a legally registered, community-led football development program that has served young Dominicans for over 15 years. Headquartered in Bath Estate, the academy welcomes both boys and girls starting at age five, and currently supports more than 100 active young players across age groups. It has grown into a cornerstone of grassroots football development in Dominica, holding weekly training sessions every Saturday, organizing regular friendly matches against other local teams, and fielding senior squads that compete in official local leagues run by the Dominica Football Association.

Over its decades of operation, the academy has helped develop dozens of promising young footballers, while embedding values of leadership, teamwork and discipline in all participants. The new funding from Team RUBIS will remove longstanding resource barriers, providing the gear and uniforms that players need to thrive both on the pitch and in their personal growth off the field, positioning the program to expand its positive impact across Dominica’s youth sports community.

1 7 月, 2026
Pearly Eusebe hits 102; three other centenarians share June birthdays

On June 30, 2024, Pearly Paulina Ferdinand Eusebe — affectionately known to all as Auntie Pearly — marked her 102nd birthday, capping a century of life defined by unshakable resilience, quiet compassion, and a decades-long commitment to turning her childhood dream into reality. Born exactly 102 years ago in the small Dominican community of Delices, Auntie Pearly grew up as the second of seven siblings, her early years shaped by the humble, often harsh realities of rural life in the 1920s and 1930s.

Even at age five, Auntie Pearly walked three miles barefoot to reach her local school, carrying her daily lunch in a repurposed butter tin. Her route crossed multiple rushing streams; during seasonal heavy rains, the crossings became impassable, forcing her to miss classes entirely. It was at this school that a young Auntie Pearly first learned of the Second World War: her strict headmaster, Teacher Didier, read daily newspaper updates to students, discussing Hitler, Churchill, and the conflict’s global reach. Back in the village, entire communities gathered at the local church every afternoon to pray for an Allied victory, reciting the collective chant “Down with Hitler.”

Auntie Pearly’s lifelong calling to nursing emerged during a childhood trip to the village clinic for a vaccination. As she watched the nurse calmly care for patients, she knew immediately that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others — a dream she would hold close through decades of setbacks. When she left school at 15, Teacher Didier helped her submit an application to a local hospital, but she never received a response. Her mother, resigned to the barriers facing poor rural girls, was not surprised. Refusing to accept her fate, Auntie Pearly moved to Dominica’s capital Roseau to live with relatives, taking a job as a live-in domestic servant that she openly disliked.

A year later, her good character caught the attention of Cissie Caudeiron, a Dominican woman married to a French engineer based in Venezuela. Caudeiron hired Auntie Pearly as a nanny for her five children, and when Caudeiron relocated to Venezuela permanently, she left the young nanny to care for the children in her absence. When the order came to bring the children to Venezuela, 20-something Auntie Pearly set off alone on a multi-leg sea journey, first to Grenada, then to Trinidad. The ship’s captain was stunned by her youth, exclaiming, “But you are only a child!”

Even as she cared for Caudeiron’s children through years of international relocation, first in Venezuela and later in Trinidad, Auntie Pearly never abandoned her dream of nursing. Multiple applications were met with silence, rejection rooted in her humble origins. In Venezuela, she even survived being caught in the crossfire of the national revolution; soldiers and rebels paused their fighting to let the stranger pass, a small moment of grace amid chaos that she would remember for the rest of her life. While in Trinidad, she joined the local church choir, where her soaring voice and command of Latin hymns won her widespread admiration.

Decades after she first dreamed of becoming a nurse, Auntie Pearly finally got her chance. After stints working in Dominica and Curaçao, she moved to England to join her sister, who worked at a London hospital. Now in her early 40s, she feared she was too old to train, but a doctor she met through her sister encouraged her, telling her: “Once you have life and are prepared to learn, nothing is impossible.” Auntie Pearly threw herself into studying anatomy and physiology alongside students half her age, passed every exam, and officially qualified as a registered nurse in England.

Her career was a testament to her warmth and devotion: patients affectionately called her “Mama,” explaining to the hospital matron that she was far more than a nurse — she was a caring maternal figure to all who relied on her. To supplement her modest nursing salary, she took extra shifts through a medical agency on her days off, saving every extra penny to buy a home back in Dominica and support her parents and siblings back home. A devout Catholic, she relied on her faith through every challenge, often praying during her daily commute through London, calling God her constant protector.

Today, at 102, Auntie Pearly remains sharp, lucid, and in good health, with a sharp sense of humor and a memory that retains every detail of her 10 decades of life. She still maintains her independence, cooking her own meals, cleaning her own catch of fish, making her favorite cocoa tea every morning, and tending to her own household. She loves talking about her nursing career, and delights in conversing in fluent Spanish with visiting doctors, a skill she picked up during her years in Venezuela. Though she regrets no longer being able to walk the local streets, and finds modern noise like loud motorbikes and music jarring, her attitude remains positive and warm.

Auntie Pearly’s remarkable life story is now being captured in a biography written by author Mary Isidore, giving audiences the chance to learn more about her extraordinary journey. She is not the only centenarian from Dominica celebrating a milestone birthday this June: Mathew St. Rose of Kings Hill turned 100 on June 16, Margaret Andre of Goodwill marked her 101st birthday on June 12, and Lucille Pascal of Grand Fond celebrated her 100th birthday on June 22.

1 7 月, 2026
Sperm Whale Reserve Board launches consultations with watersports operators in Dominica to advance whale reserve inititiative

The Caribbean island nation of Dominica has reached a critical early milestone in the development of its groundbreaking, world-first sperm whale conservation reserve, as the newly appointed governing board for the project has launched its first round of engagement with key local industry stakeholders.

On June 10, 2026, the 10-member Sperm Whale Reserve Board gathered with watersports and whale watching operators at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall in Goodwill, marking the board’s first public consultation since it was formally established under the 2025 Sperm Whale Reserve Act. The gathering allowed board members to introduce their roles, share updates on the reserve’s development timeline, and lay out the core mandate and long-term objectives that will guide the body’s work.

As the governing body tasked with strategic oversight of the unique protected area, the board draws representation from across public and private sectors to ensure diverse perspectives shape management of the reserve. Its membership includes delegates from multiple government ministries, the Dominica Air and Sea Ports Authority, the Dominica Watersports Association, two local fishermen’s cooperatives, a national scientific research institution, and the country’s Maritime Unit, creating a cross-sector governance framework designed to balance competing priorities for marine use.

Lisa Valmond, chair of the Sperm Whale Reserve Board and Permanent Secretary in Dominica’s Ministry of Environment, opened the consultation by emphasizing the non-negotiable value of collaborative governance for the initiative. Valmond stressed that long-term conservation success depends on centering the needs and input of local stakeholders whose livelihoods are inherently tied to the health of the island’s marine ecosystems.

Jullan Defoe, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, echoed that sentiment during his address to the gathering, noting that inclusive collaboration is the foundation of the reserve’s long-term viability. “The success of the Sperm Whale Reserve depends on meaningful collaboration with those who interact with our marine resources daily,” Defoe told attendees. “Through continued engagement and shared responsibility, we can protect this globally significant population of sperm whales while supporting sustainable economic opportunities for present and future generations.”

The reserve itself marks a historic milestone in global marine conservation: it is the first protected area in the world created specifically for the long-term protection of sperm whales and their critical deep-water habitat off Dominica’s coast. The board’s core priorities span far beyond species protection, integrating conservation with sustainable economic development aligned with Dominica’s broader blue and green economy strategy. Key mandates include conserving the island’s resident sperm whale population and their habitat, advancing science-backed sustainable marine resource management, supporting ongoing research and population monitoring, developing standards for responsible whale watching and marine tourism, expanding public outreach on marine conservation, strengthening cross-stakeholder cooperation, and building a resilient, inclusive blue economy that benefits local communities.

Industry representatives in attendance at the June 10 consultation responded positively to the board’s outreach. Delegates from the Dominica Watersports Association and local whale watching operators welcomed the opportunity for direct, ongoing dialogue with the reserve’s governing body, and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative stewardship that positions Dominica as a global benchmark for responsible marine conservation.

This first consultation is the opening of a series of ongoing engagement sessions planned by the board, designed to ensure that local stakeholders, community members, researchers, and conservation partners all have a voice in shaping the reserve’s management framework. Government officials frame the initiative as a landmark model that proves it is possible to balance rigorous species protection with inclusive, sustainable economic growth. Through intentional collaborative governance, the reserve is set to not only safeguard one of Dominica’s most iconic and ecologically valuable marine species, but also cement the island’s global reputation as a leader in innovative, community-centered marine conservation that will benefit generations to come.

1 7 月, 2026
St. Lucia’s Pierre Pledges People-Centred Agenda as He Prepares to Chair CARICOM

As Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre prepares to take the reins of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on July 1, he has laid out a bold, citizen-focused vision aimed at revitalizing regional integration, boosting collective resilience, and advancing inclusive sustainable development across the Caribbean bloc.

In an official public statement ahead of assuming the one-year chairmanship, Pierre framed his appointment as a profound responsibility to the people of the region, saying he accepts the role with humility, unwavering determination, and a deep-rooted commitment to public service for all Caribbean nations.

Pierre reaffirmed the core founding principle that has guided CARICOM since its establishment: that Caribbean member states are far more powerful when working in collaboration than acting independently. That foundational belief, he stressed, has not lost its relevance amid the shifting global landscape of the 21st century – it is more critical than ever.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global order, Pierre acknowledged that Caribbean nations are currently navigating unprecedented economic shifts and complex cross-border challenges that demand deeper cooperation, innovative problem-solving, and unwavering regional unity. He noted that a growing number of ordinary Caribbean citizens are asking a pressing question that will shape his tenure: how can CARICOM deliver tangible, meaningful improvements to everyday life across the region? That inquiry, he said, will serve as the north star for all the bloc’s work during his term.

A top priority for Pierre’s chairmanship will be making CARICOM more visible, accessible, and relevant to everyday citizens, moving beyond high-level diplomatic meetings and formal declarations to embed regional integration in communities, schools, small businesses, and family homes across all member states.

“CARICOM must continue to move closer to the people,” Pierre said. “It must be seen and felt not only in meetings and declarations, but also in communities, schools, businesses, homes, and in the opportunities available to every Caribbean citizen.”

He outlined six key focus areas for his term: accelerating urgent climate action to address the Caribbean’s disproportionate vulnerability to global warming; strengthening regional food and nutrition security to shield communities from global supply chain disruptions; driving inclusive, sustainable economic growth that lifts all segments of society; speeding up digital transformation to close the digital divide across the region; expanding cross-border trade and foreign direct investment opportunities; and streamlining the free movement of people, skilled labor, services, and innovative ideas across the CARICOM bloc.

Inclusivity will be a central throughline of all policy efforts, Pierre emphasized. He insisted that every Caribbean citizen must see their needs and priorities reflected in the regional agenda, no matter their age, gender, physical ability, socioeconomic background, occupation, or personal circumstance.

Pierre also made public safety a core priority, noting that long-term development and community security are inherently interconnected. He pledged to work collaboratively with all member states to build safer, more stable societies where all citizens can thrive.

Ultimately, Pierre argued, the true measure of CARICOM’s success is not the number of agreements signed or summits held, but whether ordinary citizens can actually feel the benefits of regional integration in their daily lives. “Integration that our people cannot feel will not last,” he noted.

Looking ahead to his tenure, Pierre called on all CARICOM member states to maintain unwavering solidarity in pursuit of shared goals. He expressed clear confidence that the region can emerge more united, more inclusive, more resilient, and better prepared to face future challenges.

In closing, Pierre urged all Caribbean citizens to stand together to move from collective resilience in the face of crisis to widespread renewal and revival, building a stronger, more prosperous Caribbean Community for current and future generations.

1 7 月, 2026