2 Dominicans join 58 in the Commonwealth to receive Queen’s Young Leaders Award in London in 2017

Photo: Queen's Young Leader Tina Alfred Facebook Page

​Two Dominicans have been selected to join 58 young people from around the Commonwealth, to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award in London in 2017.
 
Rianna Patterson age 19, and Eber Ravariere age 28, were selected for positively enhancing their communities and transforming people’s lives. This year, Award winners are leading projects tackling global issues including education, climate change, gender equality, mental health and disability equality.
 
Ravariere creates opportunities for young people through agriculture, and is the President of a youth co-operative which he represents at workshops and seminars throughout Dominica. He sets the co-operative’s strategy and develops its policies, and his team of seven plan community projects and provide necessary planting materials for young farmers. It is currently establishing a natural herbs, spices and seasonings nursery that will serve as a seedling outlet for farmers and is also constructing a roots and tubers nursery, which will be used to provide training.
 
Ravariere said “During my year as a Queen’s Young Leader, I hope to raise awareness on the importance of food security, and the involvement of youth in agriculture. It will be encouraging to hear other stories and learn from successful organizations and businesses.”
 
Patterson on the other hand, will receive the award in recognition of her dedication to helping ease the impact of dementia on individuals and families. She established ‘Dominica Dementia’ specifically to help families who have a member living with the condition. Support groups work to enable people to speak openly about the challenges they face in caring for people with dementia, and to share advice.
 
Dominica Dementia also provides funding and works to educate families and the wider community about dementia. Patterson is the President of ‘Age 4 Change’ youth group, which provides services for elderly people in the community, including home visits and house maintenance.