|
 The Dennery (St. Lucia) Association (UK)
was formed in 1999 by a small group of people who originated from
Dennery and its neighbouring districts. The Association was set up
primarily to provide support and assistance to Dennery, Micoud and the
surrounding valley in areas of health, education and cultural
activities. During the early phase of its development, the following
individuals managed the Association: Mr Randolph Regis –Treasurer, Mr
Lewis St Juste – Chairman and Mrs Mary Jane Gideon – General Secretary.
However, new members have since joined and the management team has
changed.
The funds
of the Association are raised from subscription, donations and such
fundraising activities that are approved by its committee. The first
major fundraising project undertaken by the Association was the
purchase of a Church Bell (completed with swinging chimes and steel
frame), for the Catholic Church in Dennery. Mr. St Juste spearheaded
this major financial undertaking and the members successfully achieved
their objective, raising over £4,000 for this project. The bell was
presented to the church in the millennium celebration year with the
inscription “Presented by Dennery (St. Lucia) Association (UK) A.D.
2000”. Also in that year, the Association gave a financial donation to
the St Mary’s Steel Pan Orchestra in Micoud to assist in its
development.
In 2001,
the Association donated a consignment of medical equipment and supplies
to the Dennery Hospital. The Association’s Representative in Dennery –
Mr Linus Vidal and his wife Genevieve, were available to witness the
parliamentary representative for the Dennery South Constituency - Mr
Damon Greaves, presenting the gift to the hospital on behalf of the
Association. The Association received substantial press and media
coverage for this valuable and important contribution to the Dennery
community. A generous financial contribution was also made towards the
Catholic Church Belfry construction project in the same year.
In answer
to an appeal by the manager of the Dennery Youth Social Club – Mr
Stephen Regis, a considerable amount of sporting equipment was shipped
on 16th August 2002 for the village cricket team. This, the members hoped, would
greatly assist in tapping and developing the sporting talents shown by
youths in the village.
In
addition to the very important work being carried out by the
Association, both externally and within our St. Lucian community, they
also:
-
Operate
a Bereavement Saving Scheme which pays out a generous sum of money to
a member’s next-of-kin, following the death of an association’s
member
-
Have
also pledged to look sympathetically at the plight of members with
young children and have set up a special Hardship Fund to meet any
unexpected needs
-
Give
support to other related charities
-
Engage
in raising the profile and welfare of the African-Caribbean community
in the UK and the plight of our ageing population
The
Association has now embarked on another major fundraising programme,
which should enable its members to purchase a Foetal Heart Monitor and
an Electro-cardiogram (EKG) machine. The Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Health, Human Services and Family Affairs in St. Lucia
identified the above equipment, as being essential for the Dennery
Hospital. Additional financial assistance has also been earmarked for
the completion of the Catholic Church Belfry Project. In addition,
members have also pledged to dedicate their efforts to improving local
amenities and facilities in Dennery and in their quest are prepared to
explore all viable fundraising opportunities to achieve that objective.
The
membership of the Association is increasing and some noticeable
additions are young people who are linked to Dennery by parentage. This
is an encouraging sign for the Association, as it strives to develop
and improve the welfare of its inhabitants, to link a sizeable
proportion of all ‘Dennerians’ living in the UK together, and create a
setting whereby they can unite under a cultural, educational and social
umbrella.
5Back
to Top
|
