It was a delight for the students to share the love of God with needy members of the community in Roseau, Dominica. A student from the Ebenezer SDA Primary School in Dominica shares a hot bowl of soup with a very appreciative community member during the school's community outreach programs on Friday, February 16, 2024. Image by Ebenezer SDA Primary School.

SDA Students in Dominica Serve 45 Bowls of Love in One Day

February 23, 2024 || Roseau, Dominica || CARU Staff

Making connections through service to the community is part of the mission of the Ebenezer Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, which is in the town of Roseau on Dominica. Each year, the school’s calendar of events includes outreach engagements as part of the overall development of students.

On Friday, February 16, 2024, the school extended compassion to the homeless and needy population of the town by sharing nourishing hot soup and cake with forty-five individuals. Students also distributed four food hampers filled with essential supplies to the most destitute, and offered the Priority magazine to all who were served.

As it is with many densely populated cities, the streets of Roseau are the only resort for several homeless and needy individuals. Although the government and civic organizations have united to reach this underserved group, the students were satisfied to provide a hub where these individuals could stop for a free meal and enjoy the company of others, on that day. After choosing a central shelter, close to the school, the principal and staff went into the town and personally invited many to enjoy the meal provided for them. One volunteer, Miss Royette Daniel, invited needy members of the community to participate in the offerings.

Students were allowed to share literature with the community during the outreach initiative. Here, a student shares a meal and a magazine at the outreach program led by the school. Image by Ebenezer SDA Primary School

The chief coordinator of the activity was the school’s principal, Mrs. Ursula Leslie, who shared her satisfaction with the success of the event and commended the students. She stated, “For the first time, we extended support to the needy individuals in the town of Roseau. The school has been looking for opportunities to reach the community since many of our students are members of that community. The aim was to teach the children to serve their community and make a positive impact on the lives of others. It was a team effort. We all assisted in the distribution. We served 45 bowls of soup. It’s really good food and it’s the best food in the city. The initiative to the community was made possible with contributions from the staff, parent-teachers association, and parents of the school. We needed to maximize support for the initiative and make sure our community sees that we care and are connecting with the needs that are all around us.”

The staff, parents, and students were excited about the opportunity to minister to the needs of their community. “I was happy that they [felt] the kindness we have for them,” said one student who engaged in the outreach.

“The participation among the students in this initiative has been such a great blessing for so many families and an example for other members,” said the Director of Education for the East Caribbean Conference, Andrea Hudson-Hoyte. ‘It teaches Christian values and helps them to embrace the needs of their community.”

Students distributed food hampers with essential supplies to those in need. Each person received a priority magazine and a slice of cake. Here, school representatives are sharing a food basket with a community member. Image by Ebenezer SDA Primary School

The school is conveniently located on the same lot as the Roseau Seventh-day Adventist Church, which had an active Community Services Department that modeled love in action to students. Plans to expand the church’s charitable contributions to surrounding neighborhoods were delayed by the pandemic in 2020. Pastor Lester Joseph who leads the congregation, commented, “This particular project will inspire our church to [prioritize] its role and mission in this part of the vineyard, to re-evaluate the calling, and look more seriously at embracing our community.”

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