The Dominica SiFoCol Alumni Association (DSAA) has donated an unprecedented $10,000 in awards to the Dominica State College (DSC to be disbursed evenly among 6 deserving students who are experiencing financial hardship. DSAA’s President, Mr. Wayne Liburd proudly lauded its membership for the unwavering commitment and passion “to give back to our alma mater, and by extension, the country, which was so influential in not only shaping our formative years, but influenced our careers and life achievements!” President Liburd went on to say that “one of the best ways we have found to do so is to make it a bit easier for the students who now attend the DSC to achieve their educational goals – a steppingstone to greater heights.”
The awards were presented to the DSC Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Trudy Christian, MPH, by DSAA’s Treasurer Mr. Nicholas (Eddie) Bruno and 2nd Vice President Mr. Keith Benjamin, who are longstanding Board members of the association. In their remarks, both Mr. Bruno and Mr. Benjamin felt honored to represent DSAA and echoed the President’s sentiments of commitment and dedication to the college and to Dominica and praised the students for following in their footsteps by attending the DSC.
Ms. Christian was visibly elated and expressed heartfelt appreciation for DSAA’s generosity and partnership. She articulated that “here at the Dominica State College we endeavor to provide a quality education to our students and to make our programmes accessible to all. Through the tremendous support of the Dominica SiFoCol Alumni Association (DSAA), we’ve been able to enhance the ability of some students to benefit from what is offered here. The provision of six (6) needs-based scholarships by the DSAA to our students is a true Godsend. We trust that this sort of necessary outreach by the alumni of this institution will continue and will improve the educational trajectory of our students in the years to come.”
It is significant to point out that this was not the first time that DSAA has been so thoughtful and generous to the college and its student body, and, to other schools. In fact, for the past 3 years DSAA donated subject prizes to DSC graduates, raised funds to support St. Vincent and The Grenadines College Volcano Relief Fund, and awarded scholarships to Dominica’s primary and secondary schools (Convent, Concord, and St. Martin’s schools). The college students were clearly equally inspired by the association’s accomplishments thus far and look forward to mentorship opportunities that are in the works.
The awards today come on the heels of DSAA’s remarkably successful 2nd Annual White Sunset signature charity fundraiser that was held last October (2023) during Dominica’s renowned World Creole Music Festival. According to Mr. Paul Philip, Chair of the White Sunset Fundraising Committee, “I feel honored to be a part of such an organization of my esteemed peers who are prioritizing giving back.” He continued to share that, “we are also eternally grateful to so many local sponsors and patrons at home and abroad who supported us and made the event the success that it was.” Mr. Philip further signaled that “we are pumped and inspired by the overwhelming support, and we are already pivoting to making White Sunset with a Hint of Creole 2024 an even greater success.”
The other beneficiary of DSAA’s 2023 fundraiser is Operation YouthQuake, and the 2022 fundraiser beneficiary was The Home for the Aged.
The relatively young alumni association initiated its fundraising efforts to benefit Dominica just about 3 years ago when it formally launched a dialysis fundraising campaign in December 2021. DSAA delivered on its promise, and raised about a $100,000 USD, and donated two dialysis machines to the island’s main hospital in Roseau, thus aligning its efforts to prioritize dialysis care with similar goals already underway locally by the Ministry of Health, the Dominica Hospital Authority, and the Dominica China Friendship Hospital.
See below for more about DSAA and how you can donate to this trailblazing charitable organization.
Please Donate to DSAA
Contributions can be made in any of the following ways:
- https://gofund.me/198c45b9
- via PayPal at PayPal.me/SiFoCol Alumni
- MoBanking ID# 5551886
- via mail to 78 Independence Street, Roseau, Dominica
- via mail to P.O. Box 25864, Sarasota, Florida 34277, USA
DSAA Donates an Unprecedented $10,000 to the Dominica State College!
About DSAA
DSAA is now the official alumni association of the Dominica State College, and DSAA’s membership covers a diverse range of professionals who are senior executives and leaders in their respective disciplines.
The Dominica SIFOCOL Alumni Association (DSAA) is incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Dominica, which are set up to govern Non-Profit Organizations. In furtherance of its organizational purposes, DSAA, as a registered non-profit organization, has the authority to solicit grants and contributions for charitable purposes both in Dominica and the United States. From the inception, DSAA has steadfastly focused on projects that enhance the lives of the local community in Dominica. Learn more about DSAA’s charitable efforts including: the Donation of Dialysis Machines to the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, Donations to St. Vincent and The Grenadines Volcano Relief Fund; subject prizes to the Dominica State College; and scholarships to Dominica’s primary and secondary schools (Convent, Concord, St. Martin’s), at www.SiFoColAlumni.org.
DSAA’s Executive Board: President- Mr. Wayne Liburd, 1st VP- Dr. Jennifer Liburd, 2nd VP- Mr. Keith Benjamin, Secretary-Dr. Valda Henry, Finance Officer- Mr. Nicholas Bruno, Director- Mr. Paul Philip, Director- Mr. Irvin Durand, Recording Secretary- Mrs. Helen Mellow-Pascal
White Sunset Fundraising Committee: Mr. Paul Philip – Chair, Mr. Wayne Liburd, Mr. Nicholas(Eddie) Bruno, Dr. Jennifer Liburd, Mr. Keith Benjamin, Ms. Celia Delauney, Mrs. Candia Richards-Clarke, Dr. Kevin Laurent, Mr. Craig Henry, Mr. Bernard Hurtault, Dr. Simone Mathieu, Dr. Damien Dublin, Mrs. Helen Mellow Pascal, Mrs. Glenda Philbert-McIntyre, Ms. Corinne Francis and Mrs. Margaret Joseph.
About DSC
Dominica State College is a Premier Tertiary Educational Institution with a community focus, providing leadership in the delivery of high quality education in an environment conducive to lifelong learning. The College is committed to improving the quality of life of the members of the communities it serves.
The Dominica State College was formed in 2002 by the amalgamation of Clifton Dupigny Community College- Academic and Technical Divisions, the Princes Margaret Nursing School, and the Teacher Training College. It comprises the Faculties of Arts and Sciences, Applied Arts and Technology, Health Sciences, General Studies, and Teacher Education. It is based at their Stock Farm Campus in Stock Farm, Roseau, Dominica. The College is managed by a Board of Governors appointed by the Ministry of Education.
