Support Sineku Primary School and the Kalinago

Hello, my name is Victoria and this fundraiser is for Sineku Primary School in the Kalinago Territory in Dominica. Dominica, also known as the nature isle, is a small mountainous island in the Caribbean and the only Eastern Caribbean island that still has a population of pre-Columbian native Kalinago. In 2019 I began serving in the Peace Corps where I was assigned to work at Sineku Primary School. Here, I was working as an English literacy volunteer in an effort to improve the students’ reading and writing skills. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with my community, the people, the children, the staff, the land and the culture. Sineku is full of teachers and staff who want the best for their students and community, with students full of life and potential.

Like many native communities, the Kalinago are some of the most under-supported of the country, with a long history of fighting to preserve their land and culture. This school and community has already gone through so much and they deserve all the support in the world. In 2017, Hurricane Maria struck Dominica and left the island devastated. The hurricane destroyed housing and infrastructure beyond repair, practically annihilating the island’s lush vegetation and completely wiping out their agricultural sector. It also destroyed part of the school, and when I arrived two years later, the students were still on a shift schedule with shortened class times due to a lack of space. There were many efforts made to secure a temporary space for classes to take place but to no avail. Like many schools, they struggle with a lack of resources and finances. During my time there I saw how they were limited by the resources available to them, but I also saw how that didn’t stop them and they did their best with what they had.

Unfortunately, my service was cut short due to the pandemic, and this abrupt end left many goals and projects unfinished. The money raised here will go towards supporting the school and students in all ways. From providing meals and putting on special events for the students to making necessary repairs to the school. Extra funds will go to support the Kalinago people and community projects within the Kalinago Territory, such as community libraries and local crafts and businesses. Thank you so much for your support and donations, they are greatly appreciated!