I was inspired to write this piece by my colleagues on the Finance Sub Committee of DONA: ‘Why don’t you write about your time in DONA, you joined the association as a young person and you’re still involved………’
Early Interests
Our Association DONA produces a quarterly Newsletter, ‘The Sisserou Voice’, and over the years I’ve shared many experiences with our members through this medium, so it seemed only fitting that in DONA’s 30th year I share how I became involved with the Association, and the value of voluntary work.
I joined DONA at 16 years old in 1978, prior to Hurricane David in 1979. My mother took me to Dominica for the first time at Christmas and New Year 1977-1978. I was totally ‘blown away’ by the experience and on reflection I believe I made a spiritual connection with my roots – I felt a strong sense of belonging and this was primarily because I met many more members of my extended family including my father’s mother, older aunts, sisters of my maternal grandmother, several maternal and paternal uncles and aunts, and cousins too ‘numerous’ to mention.
Following Hurricane David I was keen to be involved in the relief efforts, but of course I was quite young and really had very little to offer by way of practical skills. Never-the-less I went along to a meeting with my Father in Shepherd’s Bush to hear what was being planned to help Dominica recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane David. This was really the beginning of my interest in organisations generally and DONA more specifically. I later became more involved in DONA when I hit my early 20’s, at that stage I had embarked on professional training to become a Social Worker, but I was very interested in Community Work & Community Action and thankfully my training included this interest.
In 1984 I became the Assistant Secretary to Hazel Lecointe who was the Hon. Secretary at the time. I was, however, keen to see more young people become involved in the Association, and thought that a way of achieving this would be to establish the Youth Section of DONA. I hoped that such a movement would encourage more youth participation in what felt to me to be a useful organisation, which was in danger of losing continuity if more young people did not become more actively involved.
The Youth Section is formed.
The Executive Committee could see my interest and enthusiasm, so the Youth Officer post became quickly established with agreement from the general body. Thankfully during that period, we knew several young Dominicans through their parents’ involvement with DONA. These few were to form the nucleus of the Youth Section.
Following a Youth Seminar where several young people were invited, we managed to elect our first DONA Youth Section Executive Committee in 1986; I was the Chairperson, Hazel Lecointe (Secretary) Neville George (Projects Officer), Hayley Smith (Membership Officer), Marcel Matthews (Deputy Chair), Annette Lecointe (Treasurer), John Nelson & Sarah Lecointe (Officers Without Portfolio). The Youth Executive was to meet once a month to discuss and plan various fundraising projects and events.
A memorable Event
One such memorable event was our first Sponsored Walk, which will always be fondly remembered. Amongst our archives can be found a great photograph of all those who participated in that event. It was a brilliant example of youth participation and effort. Our goal at the time was to raise funds to purchase items for Operation Youth Quake in Dominica and very importantly funds for the Sickle Cell Society (UK). The event went extremely well primarily because it involved the whole association i.e. parents and young people. Our parents supported us throughout the walk by providing encouragement and much needed refreshments along the way. It also involved non Dominican young people who joined us because they viewed it as a good cause. Many of us walked but a few skated most of the route from Hackney Town Hall to Central Middlesex Hospital near Harlesden. Another aspect of this event which is so significant to my family and I was that it was one of the last events my brother Ronald took part in. We sadly lost him in 1987, but these are amongst the very fond memories we have of him and his very full life.
Other events included; Youth Seminar (Dominica 10 years from now) Summer Dance, Day trip to France. Another event worthy of note however was the famous cricket match which took place between the Parent Body and the Youth Section. This was a fantastic event and was the forerunner for what has become our annual fun day. Our parents took part and well and truly beat the Youth Section – not nice – but real fun was had by all!
Changes, Changes – life moves on
As I reflect on the vibrancy during that period of DONA’s life, those were indeed wonderful days. Over the years much has changed, persons have come and gone, many of us went onto get married, have children and progress our careers, some of our older members have returned to Dominica and of course some have passed on (both young and older members). As the lyrics to the song goes; ‘The only constant in the world is change’. In balancing the demands of my life today, DONA plays a less central role, yet I remain committed to the sense of community and belonging which being part of an organisation provides. It was this sense of community and belonging which prompted me to live and work in Dominica from 1996 to 1998. I lived there with my son and very much valued the experience. I worked in the Princess Margaret Hospital for 6 months as the Social Worker in the Psychiatric Unit; I then managed to secure a position at Ross University Medical School as the School Counsellor/Instructor in the Behavioural Sciences Department. These days I make my contributions via the Finance sub committee led by DONA’s Treasurer Mr. Darren Sylvester. However I have served as the Assistant Secretary, Youth Officer, Secretary and at one stage the Deputy Chair of DONA. I know the Association very well and feel happy to say that I am honoured to be a part of its history.
An Early Mentor
I must pay tribute to Mr. Alphonso Charles who had a profound impact on me in my younger days. He introduced me to the concept of metaphysics (seeing beyond what is physically present and possible) this has remained with me, he motivated me to pursue my thoughts and visions as these could become things, he demonstrated discipline and the value of sticking at things and seeing personal projects through. These have been valuable life lessons which have contributed to all that I have achieved to date. Alphonso recently published a book called; “The Commonwealth of Dominica, the Dominica Oversea Nationals Association and Me” the book is a personal historical account and social commentary of DONA’s development as an Afro Caribbean organisation in this country. It documents his work in terms of working not only with DONA, but amongst and within other voluntary groups set up to serve the needs of our community, such as the West Indian Standing Conference (WISC).
I have a tremendous amount of respect for Alphonso and wish him all the very best with his latest endeavour. I have a lot to thank DONA for in terms of my personal and professional development, it has enabled me to develop and grow as a person, to fully appreciate the value of everyone making their contribution, doing their ‘little bit’ towards the greater whole. It has helped me understand organisations and institutions at local, national and international levels. It has also helped develop my sense of strategic thinking and vision, an invaluable asset in terms of understanding the world around me. So along with many distinguished guests, members, family and friends we recently celebrated DONA’s 30th Anniversary in fine style with many contributors over the years receiving awards for their serivces to the Association. I received an award and felt proud and honoured to have been part of DONA’s history and all her charitable efforts. Voluntary work was an integral part of my development and has given me a very great deal over the years, and for this I shall always be truly thankful and would highly recommend young people in particular, get involved! There is great value in givng for its own sake, but the returns in terms of personal satisfcation and a sense of contribution adds greatly to an enriching and fulfilling life.
For more information about my work please visit my site on: www.jhiserves.co.uk