A Chronology of the Dominica Oversea Nationals Association’s Achievements 

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The DONA’s achievements over the past years clearly speak for themselves, needing no further elaboration. The association’s commitment and dedication to fund-raising efforts, via its members and supporters, has managed to bring many rewards and enjoyment to places, persons, and organisations both in the ‘Nature Island’ and the United Kingdom.

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To assist with the exceptional benevolent work that the association carries out, we appeal to persons to join the Dominica Overseas Nationals Association and become that important link in the process of Dominica’s progressive development in the future.

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An Appraisal of the DONA’s Achievements.

• Donated EC $3,500 to the Chances Home of Safety for Disadvantaged Children in Dominica, October 2017.

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• Provided financial assistance towards the cost of a new printer/photocopier for the Concord Primary School, Dominica, October 2017

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• DONA hosted a very successful seminar, led by Dr Sylvia Smith, Independent Social Work Consultant and Expert Court Witness, on the subject of "What is the Value of Family Life; Past and Present", July 2016

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• Launch of Lottery Draw:  fifty per cent of the proceeds will go to the Tropical Storm Erika Relief Fund and fifty per cent of the proceeds will be applied to the DONA's Welfare Fund, 2016

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• Donated EC $2,000 to the Chances Home of Safety for Disadvantaged Children, in Dominica.  The cheque was presented by Mr Franklyn Georges (a long-standing DONA member who now resides in Dominica).  The Director of Chances, Ava McIntyre-Read said that the money will be put to good use for the further enhancement of Chances' residents, March 2016

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• Organised and held a Gospel Concert at the Acton Hill United Reform Methodist Church in London that raised over £600.00 for Tropical Storm Erika, December 2015 

 

• DONA members assisted the Dominica High Commission in London with the planning of a Dominica Benefit Concert at Hammersmith Town Hall for Tropical Storm Erika, which raised over £13,000.00, October 2015

 

• Organised and collected a van load of clothes, children's books, toys & essential food items and delivered them to the Dominica High Commission in London (for shipment to Dominica by RAM shipping) in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika, 2015

 

• DONA, as a member of the Dominica Natural Disaster & Development Fund (the DNDDF) agreed to the sum of £15,000 to be sent to the Dominica Red Cross in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika, 2015

 

• Organised two successful fundraising Sponsored Walks, with 50% of the proceeds going to the Chances Home of Safety for Disadvantaged Children, in Dominica, 2014 & 2015

 

• Organises and runs regular Kwéyòl language courses, Annually

 

• Hosted a successful Seminar entitled "A Parenting Workshop for Everyone", led by Sylvia Smith (Independent Social Work Consultant & Expert Court Witness), as part of DONA's Lifelong Learning Project, 2013

 

• Address by Dominica's High Commissioner, Her Excellency Ms Francine Baron, to the members at DONA's General Meeting, in which she updated the members on developments taking place in Dominica, 2013

 

• Launch of Lottery Draw for the Association's building project and Cancer UK, 2013

 

• Organised a Sponsored Walk around Regent's Park, London, and successfully raised funds for the Association's building project and Sickle Cell Anaemia, 2012

 

• Dispatched a 10-box consignment to the Commonwealth of Dominica that comprised 5 boxes of books and other educational items for the Roseau library and 5 boxes of clothes and toys for the "CHANCES" Place of Safety home for abused children in Jimmit, Dominica, 2012

 

• Executive members attended the official opening of the "CHANCES" Place of Safety home for abused children in Jimmit, Dominica, 2011

 

• Executive Members of the association attended the Dominica High Commission in London for a meeting with Dominica's Prime Minister, the Hon. Roosevelt Skerritt, and put questions to him on various aspects concerning Dominica's development, including the AFC Place of Safety project, student scholarships, the Melville Hall Airport, The Legal Profession Bill, etc., 2011

 

• Successfully obtained grant funding for meeting the DONA’s meetings and administrative costs, 2010

 

• Successfully obtained grant funding from the Ealing and Brentford Consolidated Charity for the DONA’s excursions, 2010

 

• Financial donation to the family of the late Mr Baptiste, 2010

 

• Financial donation to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, via the DEC, 2010

 

• Financial assistance to the family of the late Arthur Letang, 2009

 

• Dispatched a consignment of 15 boxes to the Commonwealth of Dominica that included items for Operation Youth Quake, the Dominica State College, the Roseau Library, the Roseau Infirmary and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources, 2009

 

• Had successful Black History tours (funded by the London Borough of Ealing) to Bristol, Liverpool and London where members visited museums and places of interest and learnt more about the Transatlantic Slave Trade, 2009

 

• Successfully obtained grant funding from the Ealing and Brentford Consolidated Charity to put on Dominican Quadrille Dance workshops in the community, 2009

 

• Successfully obtained grant funding from Awards for All to purchase a new photocopier, computer and printer for the Association’s work, 2009

 

• Successfully obtained grant funding from Awards for All for the 30th Anniversary celebrations, 2008

 

• 30th Anniversary Showcase and Exhibition, Priory Community Centre, Acton, London, 2008

 

• 30th Anniversary Dinner & Dance and Awards Ceremony, The New Connaught Rooms, Holborn, London, 2008

 

• Arranged for Archbishop Kelvin Felix (DONA’s first Patron) and Fr. Elveau Augustine to celebrate DONA’s 30th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass at St. Antony’s Church, Forest Gate, London E7, 2008

 

• Dispatched 10 (ten) boxes and 1 (one) commode to Dominica (courtesy of free freight facilities from RAM Shipping), 2008

 

• Launched lottery draw for the Aid Dominica Development Trust and the African & Caribbean Leukaemia Trust, 2008

 

• Partners to the organising committee for the ‘Mas Dominik UK’ Carnival Jam & “On de Road” event at the Notting Hill carnival, featuring De Hunter, Swingin’ Stars and Dice with DUKA, DNDF & RC Promotions, 2007

 

• Dispatched 11 (eleven) boxes, 3 (three) bicycles, 1 (one) disabled walker, 1 (one) cot, 1 (one) go-cart and 1 (one) scooter to Dominica (courtesy of free freight facilities from RAM Shipping), with 5 (five) of the 11 (eleven) boxes containing law and library books and toys; the remaining boxes containing sheets, clothes, and medical supplies for the Marigot hospital, 2007

 

• Organised a sponsored walk in aid of the NCH “Place of Safety” project – a home being built for abused and abandoned children in Jimmit, Dominica, 2007

 

• Partners to the organising committee for the ‘Mas Dominik UK’ Carnival Jam & “On de Road” event at the Notting Hill carnival, featuring Daddy Chess, De Hunter, Triple K, Young Bull and Nasio, with DUKA, DNDF & RC Promotions, 2006

 

• Donated boxes of medical supplies for the Marigot Hospital, 2006

 

• Dispatched 3 (three) boxes and 1 (one) barrel of children’s toys and clothes to the Welfare Department in Dominica, 2006

 

• Partners to the organising committee for the ‘Mas Dominik UK’ Carnival Jam & Beauty Pageant event featuring Triple Kay, Young Bull and Hunter, with DUKA & RC Promotions, 2005

 

• Purchased sleeping equipment and flag pole stands for the group of young persons representing the Commonwealth of Dominica at the World Youth Day event in Cologne, Germany, 2005

 

• Financial donation to the Commonwealth of Dominica's High Commission UK office supporting the erection of the Dominica flag outside its building at 1 Collingham Gardens, Earls Court London SW5, 2005

 

• Financial gift donation to Mr Georges who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2005

 

• Donated 172 toys and items of clothing to Q95 a Dominica Radio Station as children's' Christmas presents. Also dispatched commodes, walkers and wheelchairs to the disables association, 2004

 

• Dispatched 12 (twelve) bags of clothing and 2 (two) boxes of groceries to the Grenada Hurricane Disaster 2004

 

• Organised ‘Mas Dominik UK’ featuring “Swingin’ Stars”, “Hunter”, “Dice” and “Daddy Chess” with DUKA, RC Promotions and Aunty’s Bakery, 2004

 

• Successfully applied for, and obtained, a grant from the Ealing Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest towards the cost of the quarterly production of the association’s newsletter, “The Sisserou Voice”, 2004

 

• Successfully applied for, and obtained, a grant from the Ealing Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest for the association to purchase its own Personal Computer and printer, 2003

 

• Christmas donation of miscellaneous items to the Princess Margaret Hospital, 2003

 

• Christmas donation of toys and clothes to the Ministry of Community Development and Gender Affairs, Roseau, 2003

 

• Donated and dispatched a consignment of wheelchairs, walkers and other items to the Princess Margaret Hospital, Roseau, 2003

 

• Financial contribution to a large consignment of Hospital and IT equipment, 2003

 

• Youth Educational Outing to the Science Museum, London, 2003

 

• Jointly organised an Inaugural Symposium (with DUKA, DDA and the High Commission for the Commonwealth of Dominica) London, 2003

 

• Financial donation to Dominica’s Basket Ball Team Kit, 2003

 

• Donated 4 (four) boxes of clothing and toys to the Princess Margaret Hospital, 2002

 

• Donated and dispatched wheelchairs to The Dominica Association of Disabled People, Roseau, 2002

• Financial donation to the Atkinson Catholic Church Appeal, 2002

• Seminar on “Principles of Success” by Mr Stephen Delsol, 2002

• Financial donation for the refurbishment of the Morne Jaune Chapel, 2001

• Dispatched consignment of 10 (ten) boxes containing clinical items (courtesy of free freight facilities from Geest Line) for the Marigot Hospital, Roseau Infirmary and Portsmouth Infirmary, 2001

• Dispatched consignment of 12 (twelve) boxes containing ’useable’ library books donated by the Warwick Park School, Peckham, London, and which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 2001

• Donation of (3) three boxes of pampers and clothing dispatched to the Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 2001

• Participated in the Exhibition Booth for the Commonwealth of Dominica at the Caribbean Exposition, ExCel International Exhibition Centre, London’s Docklands, 2001

• Financial donation to the family of the late Lennox Jeremiah from Loubiere, 2000

• Purchased and dispatched a consignment of medical supplies to the Princess Margaret and Marigot Hospitals, 2000

• Financial grant to a young university law student, 2000

• Participated in the London Borough of Ealing’s Black History Month “Quadfest” celebrations, 2000

• Financial donation to the Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 2000

• Donation to the Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 2000

• Successfully applied for, and obtained, a grant from the National Lottery’s Small Grants Scheme for the association to purchase its own photocopier, 1999

• Participated in the London Borough of Ealing’s Black History Month “Quadfest” celebrations, 1999

• Donated ‘useable’ books to St Andrew’s High School, Londonderry, 1999

• Assistance young person with college fees in England, 1999

• Purchased and dispatched Consignment of Drugs, Sphygmomanometers and Stethoscopes to the Princess Margaret Hospital, Roseau, 1999

• Donated packages (with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line) for the Home for the Aged, Roseau; Clifton Dupigny Community College; Centre where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve (CALLS) Youth Project, Portsmouth; St Vincent De Paul Society, Northern Home for the Aged and provided wheelchair to Mrs Elma Maxim, an elderly disabled person, 1999

• Christmas donation to Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 1999

• Participated in the London Borough of Ealing’s Black History Month “Quadfest” celebrations, 1998

• Christmas donation of Children’s items to the Princess Margaret Hospital, 1998

• Christmas donation of goods to Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 1998

• Financial donation to the School for the Hearing Impaired, 1997

• Financial donation to the Centre where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve (CALLS), Portsmouth, 1997

• Financial donation to the family of the late Mr Shand A. Sylvester, 1997

• Seminar on “Hypertension and Diabetes” by Ms Grace Vanterpool, 1997

• Seminar “Illnesses Affecting Men”, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, 1996

• Financial donation to ‘Save the Children Fund’, 1996

• Financial donation to the Dominica Association for Disabled People, 1996

• ‘Christmas in July’ supplies for the Centre where Adolescents Learn to Love and Serve (CALLS), Portsmouth, 1996

• Dispatched an 18 (eighteen) box consignment containing books, medical items and foodstuffs which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for dissemination to Schools on the island, Roseau Central Library, the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 1996

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• Purchased and dispatched a consignment of items to the Princess Margaret Hospital, 199

 

• Performance by the DONA’s Quadrille Dancers to the inmates of Wormwood Scrubs Prison, London, 1995

• Financial donation to the African Caribbean Education Resource Centre, London, 1995

• Financial donation to the Dominica State Prison for the purchase of musical instruments for their rehabilitation programme, 1995

• Seminar, “The Way Forward”, Acton Methodist Church Hall, 1995

• Cultural Extravaganza, 1995

• Purchased & dispatched set of Encyclopaedia Britannica for Roseau’s Central Library, 1995

• Financial donation to the Paula Lockhart appeal, 1995

• Assisted the Woodford Hill Annual Senior Citizens Treat, 1995

• Annual Family Fun Day, Scrubs Park, London, 1994 to present

• Financial donation to the Wesley Village Council to purchase a new Typewriter, 1994

•Organised First Serenade UK Tour with DUKA, DDA, and Club Zouk Promotions, 1994

• Financial donation to the African Caribbean Education Resource Centre, London, 1994

•Financial donation to St Alphonsus Church Reconstruction Fund, Roseau, 1994

• Purchased & dispatched word-processing equipment for Wesley Village Council, 1993

• Financial donation to ‘Save the Children Fund’ Christmas Appeal, 1993

• Financial donation to North Dominica Marketing & Shipping Co-Operative Society Limited – Fire Victims of Portsmouth, 1993

• Purchased & dispatched Pharmaceutical Anti-Cancer drugs to the Princess Margaret Hospital, 1993

• Donated Plaque to the Ministry of Education & Sports to be awarded to the school from which the 1st place student comes on the Common Entrance Examination list, 1992

• Financial contribution to Afro-Caribbean Education Resource Centre, 1992

• Assisted and accommodated young Dominican who was receiving treatment in England, 1991

• Senior Citizens/Family Annual Excursions to Bournemouth, Eastbourne, Folkestone, Great Yarmouth, Hayling Island, Isle of Wight, Margate, Portsmouth, Southsea, Stratford-upon-Avon, Weymouth, Yugoslavia, Brussels, etc…

• Annual financial donations to the Portsmouth Women’s Institute towards the cost of their Christmas dinner for senior citizens and children, 1990

• Dispatched two tea chests of equipment to the Youth Development Division, the contents of which were disseminated to: (1) The Youth Centre, Roseau; (2) New Youth Centre, Grand Bay; (3) 4H Clubs, Island-wide; (4) Summer Day Camps, Island-wide; (5) Leadership Training, Island-wide, 1989

• Purchased and dispatched kitchen utensils to the Dominica Association of Disabled People, Roseau, 1989

• Dispatched consignment of approximately 4,500 ’useable’ textbooks donated by Bishop Challoner Roman Catholic Comprehensive School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1988

• Donated and dispatched 13 (thirteen) boxes of Medical supplies which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Health, 1987

• Dispatched consignment of approximately 4,600 ’useable’ textbooks donated by Bishop Challoner Roman Catholic Comprehensive School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1987

• Financial donation to the Dominica Infirmary, Roseau, 1987

• Financial donation to the Commonwealth of Dominica High Commission, London, to purchase a 3 D Map of Dominica, 1986. [This is now placed with the Commonwealth of Dominica’s permanent exhibits at the Commonwealth Institute].

• Dispatched consignment of 2,000 ’useable’ textbooks donated by the St John the Baptist Roman Catholic School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1986

• Dispatched consignment of 2,000 ’useable’ textbooks donated by Bishop Challoner Roman Catholic Comprehensive School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1986

• Dispatched a 20ft Container containing Beds, Mattresses, Baby Cots, Blankets and other miscellaneous items for Hospitals, via the Ministry of Health, 1986

• Donated Medical supplies to the Ministry of Health, 1986

• Dispatched consignment of 2,500 ’useable’ textbooks donated by Bishop Challoner Roman Catholic Comprehensive School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1986

• Dispatched consignment of 2,500 ‘useable’ textbooks donated by Bishop Challoner Roman Catholic Comprehensive School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1985

• Purchased and dispatched musical instruments which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line for the Portsmouth Government School and for use at other schools in the immediate vicinity, 1985

• 26 mile sponsored walk from Hackney to Harlesden to raise funds and awareness for the Sickle Cell Society, 1985

• Dispatched consignment of 5,000 ‘useable’ textbooks donated by Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1984

• Dispatched consignment of approximately 1,700 ’useable’ textbooks donated by Bishop Challoner Roman Catholic Comprehensive School which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line via the Ministry of Education, for the use of Schools on the island, 1984

• Purchased and dispatched a Sterilizer and Refrigerator to the Colihaut Health Centre which was transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line, 1984

• Sent a 111 box consignment of textbooks (Practical Accounting; Catering; English; French; Geography; History; Literature; Mathematics; Religious Studies; Science) and miscellaneous items which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line to the Ministries of Education and Health, 1983

• Purchased and dispatched over £17,000 (seventeen thousand pounds) worth of laundry equipment (jointly with the Overseas Development Administration) from Electrolux (Commercial Equipment) Limited, which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line and installed in the Utility Unit of the Princess Margaret Hospital, 1982

• Purchased and dispatched £4,408 (four thousand, four hundred and eight pounds) of medical equipment from Downs Surgical Limited which were transported with free freight facilities courtesy of Geest Line to the Ministry of Health for distribution and use in the various Health Districts in the Island, 1981

• Hurricane David Relief Operation – sent (17) seventeen trained nurses to Dominica with the generous cooperation of both British Airways and British West Indian Airways. A considerable amount of medical supplies, food and clothing were also dispatched to the ‘Nature Island’, 1979. [This project is estimated to have saved the Dominican Government approximately £80,000 (eighty thousand pounds)]