April 9th: Arrived at Melville Hall Airport in Dominica, talked with Carib Indians celebrating holiday on Londonderry Bay, rendezvoused with Norris before driving to Clement J73CPL and Hetty J73HPL Pierre-Louis home where we love to stay. Carmen called to say she had passed her test for Technician’s License! (call sign later issued KI4OSJ), and we got more closely acquainted with our Swedish friends also staying at Pierre-Louis home, Lars Berg SM0CCM and Seth Sjoestroem SM0XBI.

April 10th: 10am meeting with Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore, Asst. to the Prime Minister. He was excited about our proposals to help Dominicans--

--in emergency preparedness training by a classroom addition at DARCI club site. He suggested education through churches and schools for a larger audience. Encouraged us to contact Commandant of the Cadet Corps and secretary of communication for focus on youth involvement. We may receive concession from Cabinet for “duty-free” donations, as long as we forward a list of items to be reviewed.

--to be gainfully employed and learning trades. He anticipates our setup of a not-for-profit business helping the people become self-reliant, and the bamboo greenhouse “pilot project” was well-received.

He helped us make additional necessary contacts and scheduled further meetings, as follows:
We stopped in at the office of Attorney General Ian C.A. Douglas, who offered assistance in forming a small business for the benefit of Dominican citizens. He encouraged us to write a letter for establishment, and warranted the necessary paperwork we would need to forge ahead. He offered us a personal tour of his home area of Portsmouth on Wednesday.
At 2pm, our second meeting with Hon. Dr. John Collin McIntyre, Minister for Agriculture and the Environment. Dr. McIntyre is very knowledgeable about Dominica and its needs. He inspired our research into low-cost greenhouses made of bamboo when he spoke at the meeting of executives, Wotten Waven VIC in January. He was excited about the initiative, and shared with us other “small steps” which could be taken in the area of organics and agri-processing.
3pm. We met with representative from Ministry of Tourism & Industry Rhoda Letang, by arrangement of the Permanent Secretary. She gave her approval of our objectives and provided for us additional references.
Afterward, we looked forward to returning to Wotten Waven for fellowship with Clement & Hetty and Clem James J73CI and Sharmaine Mark J73SHM, some good cooking, and the rain that always comes in the evening…good for sleeping.

April 11th: Castle Bruce. Our first visit to the village this trip, and we were greeted by the children and ushered into the DASH (DAD’s After School Help) center. Inside, the trainees of the Agricultural Training program were working in areas of rabbit rearing, greenhouse cultivation and outdoor farming. The local extension agent was there, and was making an effective presentation. We were able to visit with many of our friends, Dave gifted some radio equipment and supplies; we noted the progress since our January visit, and assessed current needs. It was wonderful to see the members of the Lockhart family once again, and Joan cooked up a spread of Caribbean food which she served at her little cafe on the oceanfront! Later, we were to spend time and uplift those who have been working so hard on these various programs, namely Josanna Lockhart. We sorted through suitcases of donated items and made piles, according to destination, for delivery.

April 12th: En route to Roseau and the day’s activities, we stopped at Youthquake, a shelter/home for abused and neglected youth. When we were there in January, we noticed they had virtually no playthings or sporting equipment, and literally worked the garden-farm for their food each day. At that time, we donated a basketball hoop and a couple of balls, spent some quality time, and gave to each one a New Testament “My City, My God”. Now we wanted to present them with a CD player, some positive music CDs, and some treats for an Easter celebration that the house leaders were planning. We love those toothy smiles!
10am. Interviews had been arranged with the local TV stations Marpin and SAT, and we were questioned about our current trip activities and allowed to share our message of purpose once again with the people.
1pm. As promised, the AG Hon. Ian Douglas drove us up the west coast, and we were excited to receive the grand tour of the northern area of Portsmouth with its beautiful bay areas-- all the while he gave us insight into the progresses of the Dominicans and opportunities that lay just ahead. We were amazed at the extra-curricular work of the AG, including his involvement with young people as soccer coach and organizer: we saw how some of his older students were volunteering to construct sets of stone bleachers, and helping to maintain the field and paint lines. They surely had some pride in this! Mr. Douglas’ family must also be philanthropic, with centers and activities for young people- we are anxious to learn more. He allowed us to see some existing agricultural spaces, which were used long ago and may be places for projects in the future. From his personal funds, we saw how the AG had built tidy homes for the needy and gave them ownership and hope. All of this was capped off with a treat from restaurant “Cocoatown Café”, which exists in honor of the soccer team he played on in his younger years.
At 7pm, a general meeting of the Wotten Waven Village Improvement Committee. We have great interest in this community, near Pierre-Louis home. Rudolph George, chairman, welcomed us back, and we were tickled by the words of Clement Pierre-Louis as he spurred the citizens on to helping with the construction of the awaited Community Center. The Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture have visited the site, and progress is being made. The people are unified, and there is hope for this building to provide a place of togetherness, recreation, a learning place for youth and adults, possible employment, and a venue for holding Christmas programs, meetings, etc. A workday was scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.

April 13th: Norris left for home and Easter with his loved ones. We went to distribute the piles of donated items: to the hospital, Central medical supply. They nodded to show the usefulness of what we brought, and we snapped a few pictures! To Tina Alexander of Lifeline Ministries: She works with families where members are AIDS sufferers, and had requested items needed for their well-being, plus medicines--she will be utilizing them during her visits to the various homes. To clinics in Castle Bruce and the Carib Indian Territory, we divided the first aid and medical supplies we had gathered, and visited the staff at the health department. It appeared that they were doing a fabulous job with what they have, and they seemed to be joyful in helping people.
Back in Castle Bruce, David worked with Joseph Guiste J73JT, who has been making strides in involving amateur radio as part of disaster preparedness. Joseph is now a member of the Disaster Management Committee, and is working with Village Council to put a plan in place before 2006 hurricane season. David made some important contacts, and we are keeping correspondence with them.
We unloaded school and craft supplies and soft toys for the KFC (Kids for Christ) club, and a large supply of cookware and dishes for the feeding program since it will be increasing from 1x per week to 3x per week. This is important since many of the children walk long distances to and from school…it helps keep them nourished and encourages them to attend classes on these days.
Just as the sun was settling onto the waters of the Caribbean, we shared dinner with Harry and Tina Alexander and the children at the Green Flash Restaurant. Harry regaled us with his fishing stories, and we were chuckling as Tina proved their need for family service radios to prevent further loss of cell phones at sea! Funny stories…

April 14th: We bid fond adieu to Clement and Hetty, and boarded the island-hopper plane to get to Grenada and register for Hamboree 2006!