Long-term Resilience Building in Dominica

Last week, IsraAID Dominica, the Ministry of Public Works and the Digital Economy, and UNDP launched the second Work Online Dominica program. We welcomed a new cohort of 60 people who will be part of our 12-week course on how to get started working online, find new sources of income, and increase financial stability. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how accessible the global economy can be, from anywhere in the world. 2020 increased the capabilities of many companies to hire and manage a remote workforce, opening job opportunities to people from different continents. With the right skills and training, some of the world's largest tech companies are accessible from the comfort of people's own homes. In a year that saw many people without a job, through our first round of Work Online Dominica, 55 young Dominicans found employment as freelancers or permanent staff with companies all over the world. 

Hear from Emily, a participant of our first round of Work Online Dominica:

"Work Online Dominica presents you with the master class of how to get started working online. Making available 12 comprehensive training modules, weekly group sessions, access to free skills training to help you build new skills or strengthen those you already have, and one-on-one coaching to tackle your personal challenges and polish your application, all with an exclusive community of like-minded individuals. You cannot get that level of value anywhere else. The trainers are truly experts when it comes to working online as freelancers or remote employees. I’ve always dreamt of working online, with the flexibility of choosing my working hours from the comfort of my own home. For over 10 months I’ve been employed by a US company. Working online takes discipline. You have to be self-motivated and confident. My experience is not unique, it resonates with every Work Online Dominica participant."

Links:

• Read about the opening event in the regional news

As children returned to primary schools for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic closed education centers, IsraAID donated essential hygiene items to provide a "Healthy Return to School."

Together with the Ministry of Education, 243 soap dispensers, more than 2500 liters of antibacterial soap, and hundreds of reusable face masks were distributed, reaching 22 Early-Childhood Development centers and over 50 primary schools and across the island. Due to the long-term damage caused by Hurricane Maria, there are limited hygiene and sanitation facilities in some schools, making these distributions even more vital. 

The demand for cleaning supplies in Dominica tripled since the outbreak of the virus. With donations from one of our partners, we were able to fulfill some of that need to provide a safe environment for children to receive their education.

This is a part of IsraAid’s continued support of the Ministry of Education. One of our great pillars and components of our work here in Dominica is working closely with the education system, primarily with the Ministry, to do any efforts the Ministry sees fit and appropriate.

We are committed to staying in Dominica until at least 2024 which is a great opportunity for us to continue the relationship into the coming years in order to continue to build and strengthen resilience and do more control work on disaster risk management, reduction and readiness, both physical and mental.

With your continued support, we're able to provide primary school children with a safe return to school. Thank you.