THE ORIGINS OF DUKA

The Dominica UK Association, DUKA was established in 1976 following a merger of two small Dominican groups operating in East London. In 1978, DUKA gained full Charitable status from the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales. DUKA's first major project was the Hurricane David Relief Effort in 1979 involving the collection of clothing and foodstuffs from all over the UK for shipping to the "Nature Island". DUKA has continued to address the needs of our communities both in the UK and Dominica, and aims to do so even more visibly in the future

DUKA's CORE OBJECTS
DUKA's Objects are very wide in scope but focus on the key areas of Poverty Relief, Health Care Provision, Education, Culture and the Youth primarily in Dominica and the United Kingdom. The Objects are stipulated in the Rules & Constitution as follows:

• The relief of poverty, distress and suffering.
• The relief of physically or mentally handicapped persons.
• The relief of the aged and the sick both.
• The advancement of the education of the public and in particular by the provision of a supplementary school, prizes, scholarships and bursaries for the instruction and support of students.
• To advance, develop, improve and maintain the education of citizens in sciences, arts, literature, music, history, economics, philosophy, culture, way of life and other recognised subjects of academic study.
• To help young people especially but not exclusively through leisure time activities, so as to develop their physical, mental and capacities to achieve full maturity as individual members of society and to improve the lifestyles.
• To support the charitable activities of recognised Charities established for that purposes both in the UK and Dominica.

In undertaking these Objects, DUKA can exercise a number of powers, such as:

• The employment of persons to supervise, organise and carry out DUKA's the work.
• The establishment of local branches, whether autonomous or not.
• Arrange conferences of representatives of voluntary organisations, Government departments, statutory authorities and individuals.
• Carry out or promote the undertaking of research, surveys and investigations and publication of the results.
• Arrange and participate in arranging and holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and training courses.
• Collect and disseminate information on all matters relevant to the Objects and exchange such information with bodies having similar objects or interests.
• Assist in the provision of medical care and facilities for the under privileged and destitute
• Provide homes to cater for long or short stay periods of convalescence, recuperative holiday and day care for the infirm and elderly.
• Initiate, promote and arrange educational exchange visits among students and others, meetings, courses, conferences and other educational functions and to provide educational equipment and supplies.
• Undertake, execute, manage or assist any charitable trusts
• Arrange for the writing, production and circulation of books, periodicals, papers, films or audio-visual materials.
• Purchase, on lease, hire or acquire and manage any property or buildings
• Sell, let, mortgage, dispose of property or assets of the Association.
• To borrow or raise money for the objects, raise funds and accept contributions by way of subscriptions, covenant or gift aid and otherwise
• Invest money not immediately required.