Dominica joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Rivers Day with an official church service at the Laroche Catholic Church on Sunday, September 24.
The 18th Anniversary celebrations of World Rivers Day 2023 were organized by the Delices Upliftment Committee in collaboration with the Delices Village Council, World Rivers Day Committee, the Forestry Division, and the Parliamentary Representative under the theme: “A Healthy Environment with Healthy Rivers Create Healthy Nations.”
“On Sunday, September 24, which is World Rivers Day we will begin our day with an official church service at the Laroche Catholic Church grounds from 10:00 a.m. and this will be followed by an ‘Everything Breadfruit’, brunch,” Chairperson of the village council Pearline Etienne said in a statement leading up to the event.
She continued, “World Rivers Day is celebrated every fourth Sunday in September around the world and this year it will feature the beautiful white river, L’Riviere Blanc.”
Local herbalist of Delices, Mr. Moses James was honoured at that ceremony.
“Mr. James has spent his entire life preserving our river and has been a strong advocate for the river and the Victoria Falls,” Ms Etienne stated.
An exhibition featuring Delices products was also held.
On Wednesday, September 20, a Tree Planting Day was held at the Delices Primary School and the Delices Apartment Complex.
The activity was said to be a great success where students learned the importance of planting trees.
“The objective of this activity is to be able to feed our future generations and we are doing this in collaboration with Mr. Maffei and the Forestry Division,” Etienne stated.
A Coastal Clean-up and installation of signs took place on Saturday, September 23. The Sign was donated by Fine Foods Inc.
World Rivers Day is an annually recurring occasion to highlight the many values of rivers, and to increase public awareness and encourage improved stewardship of rivers around the world.
