On June 18th, over 70 people attended the launch of Dominica-Spa, Health and Wellness Association (D-SHWA) at the Anchorage Hotel and Dive Center. President Martha Cuffy welcomed the near capacity crowd and set the tone for the one hour event.
Mr. Lester Riviere, Dominica Coalition Services Inc, addressed the group along with remarks from Jahna McLawrence from McLawrence Consulting Services and former Trade Promotion Officer for Energy and Natural Resources for National Export Strategy. The Keynote speaker, Ms. Helen Royer, Permanent Secretary of Health inspired the audience to look toward D-SHWA as a facilitator for wellness both locally and globally.
President Martha Cuffy then took the podium and presented an overview of the wellness landscape in Dominica….past and future. At the end of her presentation a slide series featuring many spa, health and wellness professionals, services and products delighted the crowd a midst drumming the rhythms of Dominican heritage. A raffle drawing was done and Dr. Janet Taylor, PRO/marketing, made the closing remarks along with the following poem she authored:
JOIN WITH ME IN PARADISE
Surrender to the sweetness!
Of untamed rugged beauty
Of insect choirs
Of fragrant flower fires
The home of iguana and agouti
THROW OUT YO ARMS TO EMBRACE!
The fertile rhythmic beat
The sun song of splendor
The nature Isle defender
Of hot springs and volcanic heat
JOIN WITH ME IN PARADISE
Close your eyes, drink in the smell!!
Of home cooked provisions
Of sulfur belching caves
And mango divisions
FILL YOURSELF WITH JOY!
For love of simple living
For nature’s cycle of creation
For one people, one flag, one nation
Of God’s abundant giving
OH, BLESS THIS DOMINICAN JEWEL!
With magic yet to share
With secrets to be found
With people free, unbound
And healing everywhere
JOIN WITH ME IN PARADISE!
