Dominic Alexander (left), a current Coady International Institute diploma participant who hails from St. Lucia, is the recipient of the Kyle Robert Fraser MacDonald Memorial Scholarship. MacDonald was killed in Cuba on Dec. 13, 2002 at the age of 22. Presenting the scholarship is Kyle’s parents Marie and Gerry MacDonald. (Contributed photo)

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The Coady International Institute is surpassing the expectations of a current disploma participant from St. Lucia.
Dominic Alexander works for the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation, a non-government organization which aims to promote, encourage, support, facilitate and co-ordinate local development initiatives in the Soufriere region.
Alexander said the organization has the advantage of having its own revenue base.
After completing his degree in business management, Alexander said he wanted to work within his community.
Alexander said he began working for the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation managing one of their tourism sites, which is how the organization is raising its own money.
“The organization also has the projects programs arm which is really where I wanted to be,” he said.
“With time I was able to climb the organizational [ladder].”
Alexander is now the general manager of the foundation.
One of the biggest challenges faced in his community is public infrastructure, Alexander said.
“Sufficiently maintained roads, toilet facilities, sidewalks, even things like water – sometimes we still have communities where there’s no water brought in and communities where there’s no sufficient electrical lighting [in the streets].
“I saw some roads [on this campus] that would be perfectly OK in my country and I notice [they’ve] scrapped the surface and are re-doing it.”
Alexander said his organization designs, creates or supports creation of public infrastructure.
“Education is another critical area of investment for us. The human resources of our community add to our success as an organization and because this is what we have an abundance of, besides the natural, physical attributes of the community, we continue to promote our people as the centre of our development focus.”
Poverty is also an issue, Alexander said, adding Soufriere is the third poorest district in the country.
“We try by funding a soup kitchen – we are part sponsors of our community soup kitchen. We provide a lot of social assistance. We also have a housing assistance program.”
There is also assistance providing for those needing medical help, Alexander said.
“We like to refer to our services as the local government of our community,” he said. “The responsibility that we take on, say development of public infrastructure, is really a governmental responsibility.
Alexander said his organization tries to work with government by advocating on the people’s behalf and facilitating the delivery of effective government services.
Alexander said the Coady International Institute has a strong brand name in his country and he was given an opportunity to meet with some representatives from the institute.
“I listened to them speak about their programs,” he said.
“I was always on the look and watch for a masters program that would allow me to improve my skill set. But when I met the ladies and I read up about Coady … I started comparing course curriculum and I felt Coady was more suited to my personal dream of continuing to work in development management. The strength of the practical orientation at Coady is incomparable.”
Other masters program were offering strong theoretical and research-based programs, which Alexander said he didn’t think would benefit him in the long run.
“I wanted to go back to be a better leader.
“Coady is more than living up to my dream of what the institution should be,” he added.
Alexander was also the recipient of a special scholarship – the Kyle Robert Fraser MacDonald Memorial Scholarship.
MacDonald was killed in Cuba on Dec. 13, 2002 at the age of 22.
MacDonald was continuing his studies in international development at the University of Havana. MacDonald grew up in Port Hawkesbury, the son of Marie and Gerry MacDonald, now living in Arisaig, and brother of Andrew and Vaughn.
MacDonald’s passion during his short life was social justice issues and the welfare of the underprivileged. The MacDonald family felt that one of the best ways to commemorate his life was to sponsor a student at the Coady Institute every year.
“I’m deeply appreciative,” Alexander said.