America Corner
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded the Dominica Public Library a $10,000 grant to fund the library’s America Corner. The America Corner was established in March 2010 and strives to share the best of American culture with the people of Dominica. The America Corner also hosts special events throughout the year, such as National Library Week and Black History Month celebrations. In 2012 Dominica’s America Corner grant was used to purchase a digital camera, children’s books and periodicals, books and periodicals for adults, movies, and American games. The program’s director was also able to attend a training program so he could learn to get the most out of the America Corner for the people of Dominica.
The Dominica Public Library received a property grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant included 29 books, such as Empire Falls by Richard Russo and The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde. The books will be added to the library’s America Corner, which is designed to share parts of American culture with the children of Dominica. The value of the grant is US$500.80.
The Dominica Public Library received a property grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant included children’s educational games, such as “Word on the Street, Junior” and “Ingenious.” The games will be added to the library’s America Corner, which allows Dominican children to experience parts of American culture.
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded the Dominica Public Library a property grant. The grant included 15 classic books by American authors, such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Beloved by Toni Morrison. The books will be added to the library’s America Corner, which supplies Dominican children with books so they can experience parts of American culture. The value of the grant is US$231.15.
ABLA Library Symposium
As part of continued support of the America Corners in regional libraries the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Cecil Ferdinand of Dominica a cultural grant to enable him to travel to the ABLA Library Symposium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The symposium included social media workshops, an overview of America Corner resources and networks, innovative programming lectures and introduced participants to future plans for the America Corners program. Mr. Ferdinand attended the ABLA Symposium so he could learn to get the most out of the America Corner for the people of Dominica.
Atkinson Primary School
Atkinson Primary School in Dominica was awarded a property grant by the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant included 19 books by American authors. Many of the books are non-fiction, such as Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the 20th Century by Ted Gottfried, Madeline Albright: She Speaks for America by Suzanne Freedman and We Can Do It: Rosie the Riveter by Christine Petersen.
Dominica National Council of Women
In support of the Dominica National Council of Women’s (DNCW) efforts to increae awareness of violence against women and HIV/AIDS the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded the DNCW a human rights grant. This grant enabled the DNCW to host two concurrent workshops for the women of the indigenous Kalinago Tribe. One workshop was aimed at increasing awareness of gender-based violence. The women were taught about the different ways to detect, treat, and protect against gender-based violence. The second workshop focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. The women were taught about HIV/AIDS diagnosis’s and treatment options. The workshop also discussed the social stigmas related to HIV/AIDS. These workshops helped to establish a support network within the Kalingo Tribe, so women can protect themselves against gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.
Dominica Youth Business Trust
Mr. John Roach received a prosperity grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant funded a per diem for Mr. Roach to enable his attendance at an Entrepreneurship Retreat in Dominica. As head of the Dominica Youth Business Trust, Mr. Roach lent his advice and experience to local entrepreneurs. The November 14-19, 2010 retreat was hosted by the Waitukubuli Entrepreneurs Leve.
EducationUSA
Ms. Renita V. Charles received a cultural grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown to travel from Dominica to Lima, Peru. Ms. Charles attended a workshop in Lima in her capacity as EducationUSA’s regional advisor. The workshop lasted from December 6 to 11, 2010.
EducationUSA- Dominica Public Library
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded The Dominica Public Library a prosperity grant. The grant enabled the Dominica Public Library, in conjunction with EducationUSA, to purchase books, software, and equipment. EducationUSA’s new books include The Official Study Guide for All SAT Subject Tests and International Student Handbook 2011. Promotional items were purchased to encourage Dominican students to study at American colleges and universities. The grant was also used to subsidize travel expenses for the program’s efforts to reach students in outlying areas.
Entrepreneurship Retreat
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Mr. Frederick Baron a prosperity grant. The grant funded a per diem for Mr. Baron, allowing him to attend an Entrepreneurship Retreat in Dominica. Mr. Baron, head of Dominica State College’s entrepreneurship program, used the opportunity of the summit to teach entrepreneurial strategies to aspiring business owners. The retreat, hosted by the Waitukubili Entrepreneurs Leve, was held November 14-19, 2010.
Entrepreneurship Summit
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Greg Horowitt a prosperity grant to support his travel from Barbados to Dominica. Following the 2010 Barbados Entrepreneurship Summit Mr. Horowitt went to Dominica to participate in planning meetings resulting from the summit. The meetings were held from November 18 to 20, 2010.
Geneva Heritage Park- Archaeological Investigation
Dr. Stephin Lenik received a cultural grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant supported Dr. Lenik’s airfare from the United States to Dominica, so he could conduct an archaeological investigation at Geneva Heritage Park. The work at Geneva Heritage Park was completed from May 12, 2011 to June 23, 2011. Dr. Lenik served as the project coordinator.
Grand Fond Primary School
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Grand Fond Primary School, located in Grand Fond, Dominica, a property grant. The school received 51 American children’s books, such as Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty by G. Neri and A Time of Miracles by Anne-Loure Bondoux. The books were selected from the Notable Children’s Books List.
Hands Across the Sea
Hands Across the Sea, Inc was awarded a cultural grant by the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown to purchase non-fiction and reference books geared towards young adult remedial readers. The books were distributed to secondary school libraries in rural or outlying areas in Antigua and Barbuda; Grenada; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Hands Across the Sea co-founders, Harriet and T.L. Linskey support Caribbean students by sailing around the region delivering books. In March 2013, Northeast Comprehensive School in Domica received a donation of books, through Hands Across the Sea.
“It’s a Fact”
Vividview received a human rights grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant was used to produce and create 105 copies of a ten minute animated video about drug resistance and education for the series “It’s a Fact.” In the video Sgt. Carl Williams of the Royal Barbados Police Force teaches primary school children, aged five to eleven, about drugs, drug related crimes, and peer pressure. The funds were also used to produce 3,750 copies of a magazine addressing “Drug Abuse and Resistance Education” (DARE) themes.
Medina Tyson- International Education Week Essay Contest
In keeping with efforts to promote quality education for all, the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Miss Medina Tyson, through her mother Josian Elize, a grant. Miss Tyson earned the US$500 prize by submitting the first place essay in the International Education Week 2010 Competition for Eastern Caribbean students.
Native Nations Dance Theatre Inc.
As part of Native American Heritage Month celebrations the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Native Nations Dance Theatre Inc. a cultural grant. The funds were used to facilitate travel from the United States to Barbados and Dominica for four troupe members. These dancers shared Native American culture with the people of the Eastern Caribbean through workshops and performances.
No Witness, No Justice
As part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded the Office of the Attorney General a US$55,565.00 grant to support the No Witness, No Justice initiative. The grant funded a training program for teachers and students across the region to teach them how to implement No Witness, No Justice in their schools. Participants also learned to utilize social media to build lasting and effective youth networks. Through No Witness, No Justice Caribbean children learn about citizen involvement, how American youths participate in their communities and how they can participate in their own countries and communities. No Witness, No Justice also serves to build a virtual connection, under the CBSI Youth Network, between Caribbean and American children wherein each can learn about the other’s experiences and communities.
North East Comprehensive School- No Witness, No Justice
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown gave a property grant to the North East Comprehensive School for use in the No Witness, No Justice Project. The school received two Apple iPads, an iTunes gift card valued at US$25, two iPad Smart Cases, and two Apple Care Protection Plans. The North East Comprehensive School is located in Marigot, Dominica.
Piton Foundation
The Piton Foundation in Dominica received a cultural grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown in support of their efforts to foster educational development among disadvantaged children, including students with disabilities or challenging family situations. Grant funds were used to purchase textbooks that are temporarily distributed to students. Under this “revolving” scheme children are given the textbooks in August and keep them until July, when they are collected, so they can be redistributed the next month. The funds were also used to purchase uniforms, pay school, examination and transportation fees.
Planned Parenthood Association
In keeping with the Ambassador’s HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Funds for 2011, the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded the Dominica Planned Parenthood Association a human rights grant. The group’s projects were specifically designed to reach youths, parents, and teachers. The Dominica Planned Parenthood Association used the grant to screen the two films “They do What, Can You” and “It Only Takes One” in three communities in Dominica. The films aimed to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in the communities and encourage people to take preventative steps. The Dominica Planned Parenthood Association used part of the funds to produce a 30 minute television program entitled “Minding Your HIV Business” to encourage people to know their HIV status.
Portsmouth Public Library
The Portsmouth Public Library in Dominica received a property grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant included 34 children’s books, such as Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming and Lemonade, And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word by Bob Raczka.
R.B. Douglas- International Education Week Essay Contest
In keeping with efforts to promote quality education for all, the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded R.B. Douglas, through guardian Jacqueline Douglas, a grant. R.B. Douglas, of Dominica, earned this US$200 grant for his the third place essay in the International Education Week 2010 Competition for Eastern Caribbean students.
Regional Youth Seminar 2011
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded the Barbados Youth Development Council (BYDC) a cultural grant. The funds were used to pay the travel expenses of six youth delegates, one each from the six OECS nations, to attend the Regional Youth Seminar 2011 in Barbados. The grant was also used to fund the rental of a U.S. Embassy Bridgetown booth at the Youth Expos, the seminar’s culminating event. The youth delegates were selected from organizations such as National Youth Ambassador Corps (Antigua & Barbuda), Dominica National Youth Council, National Youth Ambassadors Programme (Grenada), St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association, RYC and National Youth Council (St. Lucia), St. Vincent and Grenadines Youth Council. The seminar was held August 11-13, 2011.
St. Luke’s Primary School
St. Luke’s Primary School received a US$457.43 property grant from the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown. The grant was used to purchase 40 well-known American children’s books for the school, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Prudence Wants a Pet by Cathleen Daly and will be used to improve the school’s present list of publications. St. Luke’s Primary School is located in Pointe Michel, Dominica.
Women’s Empowerment Tour- Meridian International Center
The U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Meridian International Center a cultural grant to support the travel expenses of journalists and enable their participation in the Foreign Press Center tour on “Women’s Empowerment.” The tour included meetings with government officials, NGOs, community groups, and media representatives to highlight women’s issues. The meetings were geared towards shedding light on gender based violence. The tour lasted from January 29 to February 4, 2012.
“You’re A Star, Stella!”
In keeping with efforts to expand human rights awareness in the Caribbean, the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown awarded Do the Right Thing Limited a grant to produce a booklet geared towards teaching children about domestic violence and the steps they can take to stop it. Do the Right Thing Limited revised a booklet entitled “You’re A Star, Stella!,” produced by Voice UK, to suit the needs of children in the Caribbean. The booklet tells the story of a young girl who witnessed domestic violence and told her teacher, who contacted the police. Programs such as the “You’re A Star, Stella!” project are aimed at reducing physical abuse throughout the Caribbean.