Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

Two new projects of the Dominica Cadet Corps were officially launched on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Cadet Corps Headquarters in Bath Estate. The two projects are funded by the Dominica Social Investment Fund (DSIF) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

DSIF is funding the skills development component, both the theory and practicals, in areas such as disaster management, sewing, craft, tailoring, music education, construction, culinary arts and health and family life education.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Cadet Corps Secretariat, chairman of the board of directors of DSIF, Marcus Francis, stressed the importance of the Cadet Corps programme to the development of the island’s youth. He explained that the projects will compliment the wholistic approach to training adopted by the Cadet Corps Programme.

“The project targets one hundred (100) persons of the Cadet Corps in Marigot, Portsmouth, Grand Bay and Roseau area. It seeks to provide these persons with technical, vocational and life skills and will increase their chances of employment, thereby, helping them to overcome dependency and escape poverty. It will contribute to an enhanced self-image and self-esteem of participants. In general, the project will facilitate the Cadet Corps in fulfilling its mandate of providing consistent and quality training to its members thereby improving their socio economic conditions and alleviating social problems.”

Mr. Francis took the time to issue sound words of advice for both Cadets and adults alike.

“We encourage you, the Cadets, to continue to submit yourself to the teachings and training of the Corps. We urge you to lead the way in living out the values taught in the Corps: values of respect, honour and caring. Our society needs models more than ever before and you are in the perfect position to become those models. We urge the adults to invest in these young people by among other things, living out an example being a model that they can emulate. Cadets, you have the opportunity to change the course of history. Do not miss out on this opportunity.”

The construction skills component includes the building of a permanent facility that will be available to the Cadets for the purpose of executing its daily functions and activities, an establishment of its own headquarters or secretariat.

According to Project Coordinator, Dorsen Robin, there is indeed a need for the secretariat.

“It has been a very long, long journey and we, the foot soldiers on the ground, including the officers have worked very hard and tirelessly through thick and thin at our own expense for long hours trying to maintain this youth programme. It has proven itself to be a worthy cause by the sheer fact that so many persons in our society are being part of and have turned out to be very good citizens. The Cadet Corps is at three hundred and sixty-seven (367) strong. It encompasses children from all over the country, from every district and village, hence the need for the secretariat.”

In the meantime, the Hon. Minister for Education, Human Resource Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, Senator Sonia Williams, in her address, called on nationals to give the youth a chance. The Minister said that the launch of the Cadet Corps Secretariat supports ongoing efforts by the current administration to improve the lives of the nation’s youth.

“As I speak, we, at the Ministry of Education, Human Resource Development, Youth Affairs and Sports, can boast of our emphasis on youth development through our various programmes. Under our Youth Skills Training Programme, we have trained a total of two hundred and ninety-three (293) young persons between February 2008 and April 2009 and an additional one hundred and forty-four (144) others will be trained by the end of this month in building maintenance, computer literacy, computer maintenance, sewing, air conditioning and refrigeration. While this is being done, we have also embarked on an ongoing training in leather craft and local craft for twelve (12) inmates at the local state prison.”

The monies for the projects were presented to the Cadet Corp as part of Cadet Day celebrations 2009 on January 25th, 2009. More information is available here at the Government Information Service website.