DA News Links:

• Cakafete
• The Dominican
• The SUN
• DAAS Newsletter
• The Chronicle
• QFM Radio
• DBS Radio
• O.E.C.S.

DA Associations:

• Toronto, ON
• Hamilton, ON
• D.A.R.D.A.
• DONA, UK
• New Jersey
• United Kingdom
• Sisserou Club

Please contact the Editor if you would like to add your Association to the list.

• DA-Sports.Org
• D.G.S.
• D.A.A.S.
• David MICHAEL
• Sensay Dominica
• Nat. Dev. Corp.
• U.W.P.
• WC Music Festival
• Anthropomorphism
• Papillote Retreat
• Lennox Honychurch

Objectives

We will try to bring you the day-to-day news of what is happening in our Dominican villages. Much of this news will come from residents themselves. Therefore, please send what you know to the Editor. You will be credited.

Grand Bay

By The Grandbayrian

What's going on? That is the question on many minds following strange happenings at the Pierre Charles Secondary School (PCSS) on Thursday 22nd November, 2007. Most people would have heard the story that about 25 female students experienced varying degrees of what might be described as psychosomatic disturbances which manifested in their fainting, experiencing seizures, making unintelligible utterances, and in some cases downright demonic expletives (swearing and cursing etc). The health team at the Grand Bay Health Centre led by Dr. Kenneth Darroux was challenged but with the help of Dr. Griffin Benjamin, consultant psychiatrist at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) was able to manage the chaotic situation. The team was also assisted by various pastors, the Catholic priest, the children’s parents and other volunteers. About eight of these students had to be transferred to the psychiatric ward of the PMH where they were observed overnight.

Dr. Benjamin described the children’s condition as “conversion disorder”. However, most people who saw the reaction of the students ie the seizures, their uncontrollable and vigorous movements, their utterances, have speculated that what they saw was beyond a medical condition and that it involved some sort of demonic possession of the young girls.

Prayers flowed and it is reported that the prayers had a calming influence on the children.

The following day, many officials of the Ministry of Education, pastors, some parents and sympathetic observers went to the school and participated in prayers for the recovery of the students.

Now, it is not clear what the cause of these happenings is. People speculate. There is need, however, for a thorough investigation into the matter. Such an investigation should be conducted by a team which should include the psychiatrist, the doctor, a counselor, a parent, a pastor, a priest and the police. A thorough background check of the children and their parents should be conducted and documented. There should be group interactions (ie with the group of affected students) and there should be individual interviews.

The incident at the PCSS must have shaken the community but people should ask themselves whether they have performed the supervision of their girls as well as they should have.

For what it is worth, there has been a call for lots of prayer for the children, their parents, the community and our country, for today it is Grand Bay tomorrow it may be another community. Pray people, pray!