Michael Xavier feature

Every now and then I feature a poem by someone other than myself. I do it for various reasons. I might know the person, the poem might have been an inspiration to me or just because it got my attention...

This time around I am featuring a poem by Michael Xavier whom I met during the Commonwealth Caribbean Youth Leaders Summit when I was still the President of the National Youth Council of Dominica. He is actually from Guyana and is a very talented person but never knew he was a writer. In fact, I know him as a field hockey player, although I must admit I have never seen him play but he must be good because he is on the Guyana Team.

To get back into the poem now, he sent me a love poem to get my opinion and then sent me the featured poem as a second example of his writing but what was to ensue would surprise even me. We started to freestyle (all this in a Blackberry group with other friends from across the Caribbean) and we just vibed for what seemed to be like almost an hour or even longer. He calls me the Boss of Poetry but i'm telling you he impressed me with his skill and wordplay as well...

He calls the poem Contradiction by that too is a contradiction as i prefer to just call it Untitled as I personally feel the title doesn't go the piece justice... well enough of my rambling now, enjoy the piece and feel free to suggest a title if it evokes one from you:

Contradiction

Blackened skies the place is cold
Saddened cries there's no one here to hold
Droplets of rain fall like tears from my eyes
Like our love washing away from all the lies
You stop, stare and breathe for a while
But there is no hint of happiness no reason to smile
For a love once had is now lost
All disappeared at an unworthy cost
Unbearable it seems, this pain I never felt
My heart grew heavy on my knees I knelt
Wishing and hoping all for a better day
Face buried in my hands, only realizing there is no other way
For no matter how hard I try or loud I shout
This time its over, our fire is out
Happiness blooms like flowers in the spring
A fire kindles like an infant bird stretching its wing
Blue skies reveal smiles that warm the heart
Like a symphony orchestra each performing brilliantly their part
In such a way that brings peace to mind
Like our love, it’s one of a kind
It’s together forever, to never be alone
A love found, it is cast in stone
To brave the storms and endure the cold
Never on your own, my hands to forever hold
And I’ll have it no other way; it will all be for you
It’ll be like a fairy tale ending, but for us, it’s true.

And before I end this note, here is a piece of my freestyle poetry in the Blackberry group (I was asking the other members of the group to join in):

Where's Jason and Ato?
I'm waiting on them to join in
If I wait to long my words will start spoiling
Are they in their rooms hiding?
In fear, that they won't be able to keep up
This isn't a competition
Just a chance to speak up
So raise your voice
Make the right choice
Join in singing the chorus
or just write a verse or two...
If your name is Jacque then add your heavenly touch
we expect very little or so very much
I would like Feno to add her ten cents,
When she speaks she awakes my every sense
Where's Bella? the one I want to meet
She's always in here, I hope she joins this track meet
Run the mile, keep hope alive
Who have I forgotten, I hope no one
because we will need all the manpower to sing this song
This anthem most be heard, in the nooks and crannies
Spread the word to the youth, grandpas and grannies
Spread the word to all and sundry
But please do it cheaply
Because the youth aint got much money, lol
and the rest as they say it, is history

I'm sorry Mr. Jackson... you are so wrong...

Response to Commentary by Ian Jackson

I read with great eagerness the article penned by Ian Jackson in the Sun Newspaper of August 22^nd, 2011 titled “Our youth simply do not care” only to be disappointed in the facts as stated and in the rash conclusions drawn from a poorly researched commentary. It felt more like Mr. Jackson was venting his disappointment than being objectionable in his criticism (I was expecting them to be more of a constructive nature). Maybe, I too, had too high of an expectation and for that I apologize to the writer.

Mr. Jackson goes on to use the example of the attendance and polling results at the National Youth Council of Dominica’s (NYCD) General Assembly as a primary example that the results “confirm the youth’s denial of themselves and their inability to organize and certainly a lack of motivation and direction as a unit.”

I would like to honestly ask Mr. Jackson: how does one (1) National Youth Council’s General Assembly election confirms that youths do not care? I see this as more of a social issue than a mere youth issue. If we look at the other elections, i.e. village council or by-elections, what is the voting trend? Is there a massive turnout of voters? The greater issue at hand is the fact that the youth get pigeonholed to a social (general) issue to give it significance, using young people as scapegoats, something that this writer has also done in his “Internet Children” calypso.

What troubles me about the writer’s assumption is that the he uses one instance to generalize about the entire youthful population. Every objectionable writer knows that generalizations are made based on trends as observed through data analysis usually other a significant period of time and not on one instance, especially when it pertains to human behavior and attitudes. This gut feeling analysis holds no water, like straw baskets.

To sit idly by and generalize on the state of youth affairs and their behaviors from second hand accounts (Mr. Jackson wasn’t present or hasn’t been present at a General Assembly of the National Youth Council in over five (5) years) is misleading and a rash judgment.

It feels like the judge has tried the defendant even before viewing the evidence at hand, a clear case or irrational analysis of the matter at hand.

I feel this article is disrespectful to those who worked tirelessly at the National Youth Council, often with little or no support from the “adult” population. This article also belittles the achievement of Miss Fenella Wenham (not Miss Jonella Williams) in becoming the first female President of the National Youth Council.

The article goes on to say that “one can’t say that we hear the voices of the youth on issues of national relevance such as Voters versus National ID cards or debates and discussions on integrity in public office… have they organized marches to sensitize their peers on AIDS or are they waiting for adults to do it for them?

These statements clearly come from someone who isn’t in touch with the realities especially as it relates to youth involvement in national and social issues. The National HIV/AIDS Response Unit will attest that the NYCD and other youth organization, groups and clubs have been key partners, stakeholders and participants in a number of their activities and have themselves of the past five (5) years organized numerous debates, discussions, marches, paraphernalia distribution and the likes with regards to HIV/AIDS awareness.

I can also point to more than one occasion where the NYCD openly and freely discussed the issues of National verses Voter ID, unemployment, crime and violence and various other societal ills on state and private media. Young people do discuss these issues and many others too but Mr. Jackson must also be aware that there are more avenues for discussion now than before and simply because the radio/television sources are not the chosen sources for youth doesn’t mean the absence of meaningful discussion.

I honestly think that the article should have given as much focus and credence to the other “school of thought” and should have even explored the influence of the behavior and attitudes of the “adult” generation on the “sewo” generation. Again it shows that adults are quick to judge youth without realizing that they are as much to blame for their attitudes and behaviors.

The outcomes and conclusions from a more concrete analysis would have been more fruitful and would have garnered more respect from me.

Clearly the author of “Internet Children” didn’t want to wait for it, or work hard to build his conclusion, he wanted his judgments now and he didn’t want to work for it!

There is more to be concerned about in this article but I think these points are enough, at least for now.

Delroy N. Williams

Concerned youth

In the news!!!

I've been busy over the passed two weeks and haven't been posting much on my blog. I've been on the campaign trail as I seek a second term as the President of the National Youth Council of Dominica. I also partnered with my uncle to host a Father's Day activity for the Blue Blue community, Bath Estate. The media houses have basically been my home.

Here are the links to the stories:

Re-election

Father's Day

Voter ID Cards

Roseau needs sporting facilities

Every now and then as President of the National Youth Council of Dominica I am called upon to give my views about various national and youth issues. I did an interview last night about the lack of sporting facilities and opportunities for urban youth. Here is the outcome of this interview on one of the more recent internet news fora for the Caribbean region.

See the story here

Enjoy and feel free to leave a comment

Mr. President

Obama ain't the only black President, I joined the ranks, lol. I wasn't trying to sound arrogant but I got sworn in last saturday as President of the National Youth Council of Dominica at its inauguration ceremony. Fellow members of the Executive Council include:

Carlyn Rolle - 1st Vice President
Damon Jno. Baptiste - 2nd Vice President
Fenella Wenham-Quamie - General Secretary
Larissa Andrew - Treasurer
Kinisha Browne - Asst. Secretary/Treasurer
Alvin Alexander - Publicity Coordinator
Kezia Augustine - Committee member
Priscilla Ormond - Committee member (she was absent on overseas duty)

We still have to add one person to the Council, a youth representative of the Kalinago people. Here are just a few photos of the event:

Event-full Saturday

Yesterday started so wrong but ended so well, alot better than I had expected. There were alot of bumps on the road but by the time the day ended it was a smooth ride.

After a hectic morning and bad weather making my way to Castle Bruce (East coast of Dominica) for the 8th Bi-Annual General Assembly of the National Youth Council, I was re-elected President for my first two-year term but my second stint at the helm of the Organization. I have a team of rookies as well as experience players as it relates to youth work and youth organizations but i'm hoping for the best and we continue with the good work that we have started.

If I thought the bad weather of the morning was passed and it was gonna be all sunshine for the rest of the day, then I was dead wrong. I found myself in the midst of a traffic jam in Massacre and Canefield because of floods. Yes the land of many mountains floods, well flash floods anyway. With waters reach near half way up the vehicle I was driving, it felt like something from out of the movies and it wasn't just in once location, we had to cross three different large pools of muddy, dirty water. The ladies were scared but still found some strength to take photos and giggle away from time to time.

And if you thought that my day was over and the excitement was done then you are still wrong. Last night, my team (Bath Estate Football Club), of which I am a former player and PRO won our second Newtown Football League Championship in two years, yes back to back champions, beating our bitter rivals 2-0. What makes the victory even sweeter is that earlier this year, we were beaten by the same Cesseme Street team 3-0. Revenge is so sweet.

Off course we had to flaunt our victory with a motorcade/parade through the streets of Roseau and Newtown making them fully aware of who the real champions are, hats off to the Estate Boys. Blue, blue...Estate For True.

Summer Day Camp is over

The National Youth Council closed its door today on the 2009 Summer Day Camp (Arts and Expressions; Changing Lives) much to the disappointment of the students but mostly the parents. The two week camp had its graduation ceremony this morning where the participants put on a show for the few parents and media officials who showed up.

From song, dance, skits and even a exhibit of work made up part of the event. A number of parents made recommendations to improve the camp but the most telling idea was to increase the camp from 2 weeks to a month and from a morning camp to a full day camp.

To the innocent bystander this may seem a simple and practical suggestion but the real issue is that the parents need a centre where they can dump off (for want of a better word) their children so that they could be the responsibility of some one else. Dominican parents can be something else, lol.

I enjoyed every minute I spent at the camp and the kids (hope the haters don't take me to task for this word) really enjoyed their every moment and a number of them looked sad to finally walk away from the Dominica Public Service Union halls.

Well at least they got something to look forward to next summer and we anticipate a bumper crowd of children. This year we had to accomodate a lot more than we anticipated, almost double the number we really had projected that would participate. So until next year...

Nesta

Venting: What's with the word "kid"

Yesterday I was on the radio with the Peace Corps Volunteer of the National Youth Council of Dominica promoting our Summer Camp, 2009. It was a great experience until some callers decided to make petty, trivial comments that had nothing to do with the spirit of what was being discussed. At that moment, I understood clearly what people have been saying for a long time. Dominicans just like to talk for the sake of talking and make every non-issue the issue at hand.

First there was this calling asking about the presence of Dominicans as Peace Corps volunteers in the United States and even asking me to do some research for him. Off course, I knew exactly what he was getting at because Dominica has no peace corps service offering anybody. There is also a belief that Peace Corps volunteers are secret CIA spies who come to distabilize the country and learn its local customs in order to provide information to the United States.

Then there was this caller who made an issue with the theme of the Summer Camp: Art and Expression; Changes Lives. She wanted it changed to Arts and Expressions Changing Lives, which off course I have no big issue with because it was intended with good intent. We actually had a good conversation with the caller during the program and I did take note of her point.

But it was the third person that really just upset my spirit for the rest of the day. I was making a point and I mentioned that parents should take a greater role in raising their kids and that society should be a support system and not the main player. A few seconds after the phone rang and the caller just fired off at me:

"Mr. Delroy Registe, you should not refer to children as kids, kids are little goats, thank you very much" and she hung up. Her tone wasn't a welcoming one nor one that was gracious.

First of all, I dont mind correction, I actually take it in the spirit in which it was given, that is why I couldn't understand why I was being attacked for using the word kid. It is really issue to call the talk shows, give your point and hang up but I would have loved to have been able to respond to the lady. What made it even worse was that even while she was trying to correct my mistake, she was guilty of making one herself because my name is Delroy Williams, not Delroy Registe (Mr. Registe is a politician, Mr. Williams is a Dominican).

There are so many things that are wrong with our Dominican society, so much to talk about, so many things to try to improve but the minute someone tries to assist in whatever way they can, we find ways of reducing the person's contribution or even sidetracking from the point.

I was so upset that I cut the interview short, off course, I didn't make that obvious to the listening public. That troubled my mind for the rest of the day, I even went to search up the meaning of kid on the internet at dictionary.com and this is what I found:

Kid/kɪd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kid] Show IPA noun, verb, kid⋅ded, kid⋅ding, adjective

– noun
1. Informal. a child or young person.
(used as a familiar form of address.)
2. a young goat.
3. leather made from the skin of a kid or goat, used in making shoes and gloves.
5. a glove made from this leather.

So now I have to wonder if there is something wrong with the word kid. Or maybe there is something wrong with using words that have multiple means. If so, then we would have a hard time using the English language. My conclusion is that the problem is with us, as human beings, who tend to put issues where are none and who always brush aside the true story for the sake of sensationalizations and making news.

Let me stop now before I say something I shouldn't. Next thing I know, someone copies my blog and provides it to Matthias Peltier and I end up on the Hot Seat on Q.95 Radio, lol.

Nesta

Arts and Expressions; Changing Lives

The National Youth Council is putting together a two-week summer camp for children between the ages of 2 and 13. The camp is expected to develop their creative juices and assist in the holistic development and social interaction of the kids.

NYCD Peace Corps Volunteer Michele Garavaglia, will be camp director and will ensure that the children are exposed to a wide range of activities and programs including arts and craft, music, dancing, drama and some educational programs (spelling bee, reading, presentations, etc).

The camp is only EC$10 per child, which is a non-refundable registration fee. It will definitely be a ten dollars well spent and one that will reap benefits in the millions especially as it targets underpivileged and unattached youth.

I still remember making tie dye shirts at my first summer day camp and up until today i still want to tie dye, who knows, i may even open a tie dye business. The possibilities of activities and interaction between participants, tutors and director are endless.

The NYCD is still in need of assistance to ensure that they can give the kids a quality experience. If you are able to assist please contact them at:

15 Bath Road

Roseau,

Commonwealth of Dominica

Tel: 1 (767) 448 6944 or (767) 225 6367

Email: nyc_dom@hotmail.com

Nesta

Canna Park here?

The National Youth Council, in an effort to build on the success of the 2008 Walk for Education, organized a Walk for Youth from Picard, Portsmouth to Canna Park, Capuchin on Saturday May 30, 2009.

As President, off course I had to participate in the walk along with some of the members of the Executive Committee. I was really disappointed in the turnout on the day especially since I was "reliably" informed that over 40 people had registered. I guess registration doesn't include payment or participation, i should have known better.

That didn't dampen my spirit or any of the other participant's spirit on the day though, as we made our way to Possie from about 5:00 a.m. from Roseau. I was up from about 3:30 a.m. rounding up the NYC members and waiting on some people in Roseau (most of them didnt even show up).

By the time we got to Portsmouth it was almost 6:00 a.m. and we quickly distributed t-shirts, drinks and had a collective prayer and we were off to Capuchin. Capuchin is the most northerly of villages in Dominica and gives a perfect view of 3 out of the 4 islands in the Guadeloupe Archipelago (Marie Galante, the Saints and Guadeloupe) with only La Desirade too far for the eye sight.

The walk was really spirited with participants having tin cans in hand soliciting donations from members of the general public to assist with a youth project in the North Youth District. It would have been nice to have more young people especially those from the Northern communities participate in the walk but i guess you can't always have your wish.

The North is usually laden with fruits but on that day, we were left to struggle to find mangoes, cacoa, kenip and soursop. Most of the fruits on the trees were immature as it wasn't the "season" for picking or eating. I remember as a little boy eating those very fruits even when they were immature but then again as a man they would probably have a bad effect on the stomach, lol. No diarrhea for me.

We made the walk to Capuchin in about 3 hours and collected almost $300 dollars in donations. I was expected Canna Park to be like most other parks in Dominica, a football or cricket field surrounded by Flamboyant (Shak Shak tree). At Canna though, I was greeted by two donkeys; one alive and carrying plantain and the other, well dead. It was just the remnants of the donkey's skull.

The thing that I will most take back from this experience was the skull and off course the view from Canna Park. The walk was worth it although i prefer to hike in the rainforests and overall I would probably do it again, except this time I would want a little bit of rain. I don't know but I just prefer walks or hikes when the good Lord blesses me with a rainshower. There's nothing to compare to a good old Dominica rainfall.

Nesta

My fave five of the week

Another week; another list of my five favourite things of that week:

1. the 4D Ag Centre Bath Estate team are back to back national football (soccer) champions. Blue Blue, Estate For True; going for a three-peat;


2. Got some donuts and banana bread from my friend Michelle; a peace corps volunteer at the National Youth Council of Dominica; you can check out her donut story on her blog. She always have some wonderful baked goods, keep em coming Michelle, I want to put on some weight, lord knows 140 aint much, lol;


3. Had a wonderful night on Monday; Walked through Roseau up to Goodwill and spent some time in the middle of the Lindo Park football field looking at the "stars" for about an hour or so;


4. My farmers treated my supervisor, karen (my friend) and I to lunch; we had a one pot brath and some wine, Johnny Walker Red Label Scotch. My farmers really know how to treat me well, lol, except when they arguing for seeds and fertilizer, then it is a verbal onslaught. But at the end of the day it's all good.


5. Hosted the environmental program (Environment and Sustainable Development) last night on Kairi FM radio. We discussed Invasive Alien Species as the theme for International Day for Biodiversity (today) as well as Access and Benefit Sharing for Genetic Resources.
   
   Nesta

Free Expressions coming your way

I've taken another step in ensuring that my company Free Expressions Poetry Company actually sees the light of day. The company logo has been developed and all is in place for a successful 2009 and beyond.

Our first project, the joint venture with the National Youth Council (NYCD), is going on smoothly. The love poem competition and Many Moods of Love show was a huge success in February and the second phase of the activity; the collection of love poems is in development with the final book expected to be launched at the General Assembly of the NYCD in Castle Bruce during the summer.

Free Expressions is currently working on its first play which should be out before the end of the year. The writers are feverishly perfecting the storyline and main plot and the aptly titled "Beff Stop" should be a smash hit with much talk of dvd production for distribution outside of Dominica.

A second play which targets youth and HIV/AIDS; with members of Dramatic Expressions is also expected to be completed in 2009.

Nesta

NYC brings gospel fever to homeless

What was organized as a talent show turned out into a gospel festival for the folks at the Grotto Home for the Homeless, as members of the National Youth Council and others from the Catholic Youth Christian Club, engaged the inmates in a spiritual encounter.

For almost two hours, the walls of the building trembled from the voices of the youth and homeless (mostly elderly/abandoned persons). Poetry and singing took centre stage but the highlight of the activity occured when the young persons engaged in a sing off with their audience. For about forty five (45) minutes gospel favourite after favourite was chanted out by the crowd and performers.

In the true Dominican spirit, calypso was also given a "brief" moment to shine as calypsonian Yolie shared her tune as well as that of Singining Sandy. Two (2) tunes from local favourite Tarina also made its way unto the impromptu program.

I also had an opportunity to perform my latest poem: I'm stuck.

A wonderful moment for all, both performers and those in the crowd.

Although the Council had planned to have a Walk for Youth 2K9 for that date, because of poor private sector support among other logistical issues it had to be posponed, but still it was time well spent on Global Youth Service Day.

The Youth Council is already putting plans in place to have a big fundraiser with the Home for the Homeless to raise funds for their activities including setting up of a Chapel.

Look out for that one.

Nesta

Kiera's Book Club: Flying with Knowledge

I'm not sure if many persons would remember but sometime last year there was a call from Sandra Valentine, on the behalf of her nine year old daughter, to the members of Dominican Diaspora to donate books to a book club that would make the reading material available to primary schools on the island.

Well the book club has seen the light of day and yesterday the National Youth Council of Dominica launched the program which now targets five primary schools (Massacre, Roseau, Trafalgar, Concord and Castle Bruce). There was also a logo design competition launched as a means of promotion of the book club and to raise awareness about literacy in Dominica. The Pioneer Prepatory school emerged winners of the contest (see logo below).

We do hope that the contributions of new and used books and reading material will continue as the National Youth Council hopes to increase the number of schools benefiting from the program to ten. It is also hoped that ICT tools that be introduced to the kids through the program.

Anyone willing to assist can contact Sandra, myself on DD or the National Youth Council:

15 Bath Road

Roseau

Commonwealth of Dominica

1 (767) 448 6944

nyc_dom@hotmail.com

Thanks again to all who contributed and a special hats off to Sandra and Christina "Kiera" Valentine.

For more news stories on the launch:
http://www.dominicanewsonline.com/all_news/education_youth/5621.html

http://www.dominicanewsonline.com/all_news/education_youth/5632.html

Nest@

Youth Council to put on talent show for homeless

It's April and what we normally look forward to is April's Fool Day on the first of the month, however there is also another reason to appreciate that month: Global Youth Service Day (GYSD). GYSD is held during a weekend every April in over 100 countries in every region of the world.

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is a time in the year when we come together to focus the world’s attention on what young people are contributing every single day.

GYSD is organized by Youth Service America with the National Youth Leadership Council, the Global Youth Action Network, and with thousands of partners in the U.S. and across the world.
During Global Youth Service Day, millions of youth around the world organize community service projects to address the needs of their local communities through service, to be recognized for their contributions, and to be a part of a global youth service movement.

This year the National Youth Council of Dominica is hosting a talent show at the Community Hostels Inc (Grotto Home for the Homeless) on Saturday May 25, 2009 from 10:30 a.m. The Youth Council members and other youth will portray their different talents dancing, singing, poetry, etc.

Upstart calypsonian and singer Yolie is expected to perform at the show also.

Invitation is opened for other young talented persons to also showcase their talents at the activity.

Many Moods of My Love: Beyond Comparison

The young, up and coming poets of Dominica put on a show to remember last night at the Alliance Francaise before an appreciative crowd. Poetry writing in the island state has been a underground activity and finally some persons where able to showcase their writing abilities because of the National Youth Council and Free Expressions Poetry Company initiative.

There were a number of memorable moments and despite no PA system, the show had a real romantic feeling with cupids, hearts, balloons and other decorative pieces setting the perfect ambiance for the performance of love poems.

I can still hear the laughter, cheer and finger snapping of the crowd as they were wooed by the competitors, guest poets and especially during the open mic. Ameka Cognet's delivery of Silent Words for My Valentine and Delroy Williams' plea "Can I?" were clear crowd pleasers.

Poetry, if promoted properly, surely has a place within the small performing arts world in Dominca and all should be done to harness the talents and writing skills of the emerging generation of young poets and story tellers.

The show, however, was to display the works from the competition, The Next Great Love Poem, and Kamarsha Sylvester won with her piece Beyond Comparison, with Ameka Cognet's Silent Words for My Valentine in second place and Lien Philogene's Expression's of Love taking third place.

So here is the piece from Miss Sylvester, winner of the Competition:

BEYOND COMPARISON

You’re the sun baby; you surpass the others by far
For you’re way brighter than any ordinary star
As a matter of fact, they could never be on par
Cuz you’re like a Rolls Royce amongst the Hondas
If you were a plant, you’d be a black rose
Rare and precious like pure gold
And if you were a farm, you’d be the Garden of Eden
For you’re so perfect, man you’re God-given
It’s said that there are Seven Wonders of the World but I’ve proven them wrong
For there’s actually eight, and baby you’re number one
And if you were music, you’d be soul
The only genre that forms part of mans whole
You’re like a beautiful dove in the company of pigeons
As a result it’s impossible for you to blend in
For you’re way superior, ooh you’re a perfect ten
Unequalled, incomparable, mmm, mmm, mmm that’s my man!

I was hoping she was talking about me but it wasnt so...

Nest@

Love poems anyone?

Valentine's day is just around the corner and love is in the air. I haven't written a love poem in a while but now I'm being encouraged to do so because the National Youth Council of Dominica and Free Expressions Poetry Company are launching a poetry competition and show dubbed "The Next Great Love Poem."

The competition is open to poets/writers between the ages of 13-35 who are resident or nationals of Dominica. Although the competition is centred around Valentine's day, it is not limited to just romance but entails heartbreak, friendship, parental, spiritual and other forms of love.

The call for poems has a deadline of January 31st and a panel of Judges will select the ten best poems. After the selection process, the Many Moods of Love show will be put on by the Council on February 15th, 2009 at the Alliance Francaise de la Dominique on Elmshall Road.

The show is also expected to feature other Dominican poets, dancers, singers as well. So here i am now scurrying my brain for the perfect love poem, it has to be an original piece off course, no room for plagarism and all entries must be sent to the Council at email: nyc_dom@hotmail.com or at the office: 15 Bath Road, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica (next to the Newtown Savannah.

Quote of the Week: Maya Angelou

I really like this quote, particularly at this time when the National Youth Council of Dominica is coordinating Keira's Book Club. The Club, which was started by 9 year old Christina (Keira) Valentine, targets primary school students in hopes of encouraging reading as an extra curricular activity and to assist literacy programs at schools and communities across Dominica.

So far, 9 year old Keira, with the help of her mother and friends, has managed to collect and ship over 800 books to Dominica and the launch of the program is scheduled for the month of February.

A logo design competition is currently being coordinated by the Youth Council to give the program an official launch and a number of schools/persons have already shown interest in participing in the program.

This week's quote speaks of reading and it comes from Dr. Maya Angelou.

Dr. Angelou is a remarkable Renaissance woman who is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, she continues to travel the world, spreading her legendary wisdom. Within the rhythm of her poetry and elegance of her prose lies Angelou's unique power to help readers of every orientation span the lines of race and Angelou captivates audiences through the vigor and sheer beauty of her words and lyrics.

And now the quote:

"Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him."

To support Keira's Book Club please contact the National Youth Council of Dominica at email: nyc_dom@hotmail.com or simply reply to this blog post.

Nest@

My Christmas Message

It seems like everyone is writing a christmas message this year, well at least when I picked up the local paper (The New Chronicle), it was flooded with messages from pastors, priests, political leaders and even union leaders.

So I've decided to write my own Christmas Message this year although I am not too much of a fan of Christmas for various reasons which I will keep away from my blog. Okay, Okay, i will share a few of them: the commercialisation of the holiday (holy day) and the fact that i never got any gifts from Santa as a kid. Santa doesnt visit the Caribbean, well at least not where i live in Dominica.

Anyways, that's besides that point, I wrote a Christmas Message and although i didnt get a chance to send it to the newspaper houses (only two in Dominica, recently was three) I did manage to read it on Kairi FM radio during the National Youth Council radio program Know Your Country. But there were technical difficulties/upgrades so i didnt get to share it with all of Dominica neither did the internet users get to hear it. I guess they will try anything to get me from sending out my message, lol, just kidding.

So now here is my Christmas Message:

Dear All

This Christmas message isn't merely for the holiday season nor is it solely targeting one group in society but it is for every Dominican who cherishes our simple but proud way island lifestyle.

At a moment when we have spent almost a year celebrating our present journey there is still a long road ahead to travel if we are to reach the pinnacle of our development.

But there are obstacles that threaten the path we take and key among them is the increasing tensions, conflicts and violence among the population. Whilst people tend to cast blame at the youth, this is far more than just a youth issue. The current culture of violence is based on social distrust, suspicion, intolerance, injustice, hatred and our inability to interact constructively with our fellow man.

The youth constitute the richest wealth of this country and we should develop qualities of personal integrity, discipline, tolerance and open mindedness. Youth is characterized as a period of passions, emotions, activity and vigor but we must combine this enthusiasm with patience and tolerance.

The 2008 reunion year offered us a unique opportunity to reflect on our common destiny but understand that this destiny will only be achieved through a peaceful, tolerant society.

So this Christmas, in 2009 and beyond we should take a stand to collectively work toward peace and stamp out acts of violence in our country. We take this stand no only for ourselves but for thie present and future generations of Dominican citizens, of the young boys and girls yet to be born.

Peace be with you all.

The End

Well it's not the perfect Christmas message but then again I wasn't striving for perfection, I was only trying to get a point accross, the need for Dominicans to work towards a more tolerant society ready to work towards

Nest@

my new favourite book

Every year (at least the last two years that I've been a member) the National Youth Council of Dominica holds a social activity around Christmas time and there is an exchange of gifts. Last year i got a peach dress shirt and a tie and although I like it alot I havent worn it yet, well havent had the occasion, saving it for something special and I hope it comes along before I leave the Earth.

So this year the social took place on Saturday past and I had spent the last few weeks trying to figure out what i would get the PRO (who shall remain nameless) and I finally got her something I know she would use being the eccentric, out-going person that she is.

Around the same time, a member kept asking me what I would buy for a man if I had gotten his name, she assured me that she only wanted advice and that she didnt have my name. Off course, I don't really know what I want so I could hard offer her much credible advice. I said the normal shirt, tie, watch but at the same time saying that I think that men recieve the same type of gifts all the time and that she should put more thought into her gift, that she did too.

So coming back to the gift exchange, this young lady stands up, pulls out a neatly wrapped gift and hands it to me, much to my surprise and says "I got you" and immediately I smile but think, I hope she didnt get me another shirt and tie, lol.

Actually, she got me a book my one of my favourite speakers, the most popular man in the world at this point in time, if you're a constant reader of my blog then you should know who he is (Check blog post: http://jetzzzpoeticexpressions.blogspot.com/2008/11/most-popular-man.html). Yes, she got me a book by Barack Obama, in fact she got me his first book Dreams of My Father.

It's now my new favourite book, I was reading a self help book called The 17 Essential Qualities Of A Team Player by John C. Maxwell but I have now put it down to embrace Obama's book. I will pick it back up as soon as i am done with my new favourite book, which will not take me too long since I'm almost halfway done.

I am already scribbling notes in my notepad, I am an active reader, I can't just read for reading sake, I have to note the good quotes, things I think I can apply to myself but as soon as I am done, will give a review as only I can (i'm full of myself sometimes).

If this book is any good and from reading the first 50 pages, i can already see its promise then I will have no choice but add his other books (The Audacity of Hope, Change We Can Believe In and Barack Obama in his own Words) to my wishlist, I mainly read books from black authors and inspirational type books and looking forward to having a few more in my possession soon.

Nest@