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INTRODUCTION Since the establishment of the tele-center, the village has become very progressive. The villagers are very thankful to UNESCO for all their hard work and their dedication. The resource center received two new computers, and a fan. This increased the number of persons who can use the computers and internet services which is now well established in Dubique. The Secondary School students are now engaged in using the computer to type their School Based Assessment (S.B.A). They therefore said that the computer was received at the right time. They no longer have to spend days writing their S.B.A. the following are the names of the people who use the facility:
ACTIVITIES: A raffle was used as part of the fund raising activities, held on December during the Christmas Season. We must report that a profit was made and the winner, a ten-year-old boy was very excited. The president of the Dubique tele-center, Kenny James attended a 1-week workshop in Jamaica early December 2003. The workshop topic was "Universal Access to Telecommunication Service and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration to Enhance Rural and Remote Service in the Caribbean. He prepared a report on the progress of the tele center, which was presented at the workshop. We were present in the workshop and were also recognized by other who did not know our village. Members of the Internet Committee were invited and attended the handing over of computer parts to the Marigot High School. The programme included speeches by the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Burton-James the Secretary General of the National UNESCO Commission, the Principal of Marigot High school. Mr. Marie gave an introduction of the Small Islands Voice in which he spoke of some of the benefits of the programme to the school. Mr. Marie's comments were supported by Marigot school students, who are involved in the project. The ceremony also included cultural performances and refreshments, which were prepared by students from the food and nutrition courses. It was an exciting and enjoyable learning event. Saturdays was known to be children's day. That day was for primary school students only. They were involved in learning to type, playing games and for those who have email addresses checked their mails. This however has been changed. They can do all this now on Mondays to Fridays since we have identified Saturday as youth day. A Youth Group is in operation under the leadership of Asha .N. James and the assistance of Kenny James. This Youth Group comprises of primary and first to third formers in Secondary School. It is operating under the name, "The Circle of Friendship". One of our main activities is the cultivation of vegetables. Daniel Thomas has kindly gives us a plot of land, which we are, thankful for. We the young people are trying to develop our village to make it more productive than how it is has been. Not only the young people, but also the women are also trying to do this. The women will soon be involved in a bayoil production, a UNESCO funded project, which will help bring income to them and their families. The villagers are also involved in a clean-up campaign. This will be held on the 3rd of April 2004. They will be involved in cleaning the riverbank and seashore. We will also be introduced to the new scheme of disposing our garbage. A number of our young people, their parents and children are now participating in cultural dances. They are lead by Julia Bruno, the president. They performed at the final in Cultural Galla at the semi finial in Ma Tu Tos Park in Grand Bay in 2003.
CONCLUSION The Management Committee comprising of youth is committed to ensuring that our programme for developing Dubique will succeed. We try to involve and ensure that all stakeholders benefit. In particular we target the youth and try to assist them in self empowering projects which help to develop our small community of Dubique. Asha N. James |