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On October 25, 2025, Natasha Athara Lewis, a dedicated educator and advocate for disability inclusion, marked a historic milestone as she received her postgraduate diploma in education with distinction from the University of the West Indies (UWI) in St. Augustine. Wheelchair-bound due to cerebral palsy, Lewis described the moment as a triumph of resilience, representation, and personal achievement. Her journey, marked by perseverance and advocacy, has inspired countless individuals across Trinidad and Tobago.

Lewis, a mature student and teacher at Malick Secondary School, has spent her life transforming challenges into opportunities. Born in St. James, Port of Spain, she began her education at the Princess Elizabeth Special School for the physically handicapped, where she learned the value of perseverance. Supported by her family, church community, and what she calls her ‘village,’ Lewis overcame numerous obstacles, including surgeries, physiotherapy, and speech therapy, to achieve greater independence.

Her educational path continued at St. James Secondary School, followed by professional certifications in dressmaking and design. Despite facing daily challenges, such as climbing 40 steps on crutches at the John S Donaldson Technical Institute, Lewis persisted, eventually earning a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design (Magna Cum Laude) from the University of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2014, she began her teaching career, blending her passion for education with her advocacy for inclusion.

Lewis’s journey is also marked by her entrepreneurial spirit. In 1992, she founded Athara’s Designs, a fashion brand that transforms discarded materials into wearable art. She views her creations as a metaphor for the potential of individuals with disabilities, often overlooked but capable of extraordinary contributions. Although her business is currently on hold due to her teaching commitments, her designs continue to inspire.

At UWI, Lewis found a supportive and inclusive environment, which she credits for her success in completing her postgraduate diploma. She also faced new challenges during her teaching practicum, navigating inaccessible classrooms with the help of administrators and peers. These experiences, she noted, not only shaped her but also educated others about the importance of true inclusion.

Beyond the classroom, Lewis has partnered with the Ministry of Social Development to lead sensitization campaigns on accessibility and disability rights. She credits her former educators, Miss Myers and Maria D Thomas, for instilling in her the belief that teaching is a mission of empowerment and equity.

Lewis’s unshakable faith and resilience have been her anchors throughout her journey. She emphasizes that inclusion is not charity but justice, urging society to recognize the diverse talents and creativity of differently-abled individuals. Her advice to parents of children with disabilities is to love, support, and envision a bright future for them.

In her closing remarks, Lewis expressed gratitude to her family, friends, mentors, and UWI for their unwavering support, stating, ‘This accomplishment is not mine alone – it belongs to all of us.’

Tensions surrounding Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) have escalated dramatically following a recent government crackdown on irregular migration. On October 27, the Ministry of Homeland Security issued a stern directive mandating the detention and deportation of all undocumented migrants, stating that no further Orders of Supervision would be issued. This announcement has sent shockwaves through the Venezuelan community, prompting widespread fear, displacement, and a mass exodus from the country.

Many Venezuelans, both documented and undocumented, have begun selling their belongings, abandoning their rented homes, and quitting their jobs in factories, farms, and workshops. The Hispanic Cultural Centre La Casita in Arima has urged the government and society to remain calm, warning against what it describes as a ‘migrant hunt.’ Andreina Briceño Ventura-Brown, the center’s director, highlighted the spread of misinformation and the vulnerability of even those holding UNHCR cards, who may still face harassment under local laws.

Social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are flooded with posts from Venezuelans selling appliances, motorbikes, and furniture as they prepare to leave. Mariana Lopez, a 34-year-old Venezuelan in Arima, shared her decision to sell her possessions and move to Brazil, stating, ‘I don’t want to be caught and sent back. I’ll go to Brazil even if I have to start from zero.’ Similarly, Jesus Andrade, a mechanic in San Fernando, quit his job, fearing detention.

The government’s measures have drawn criticism for lacking compassion. Rosa Medina, a mother of two, lamented, ‘They talk about human rights, but they show no humanity to us. Many of us have been here for years working and paying taxes.’ Eduardo Ramirez was more blunt, accusing the government of double standards: ‘This government wants Venezuela’s gas but treats Venezuelans here like garbage.’

Even Venezuelans with legal status face challenges. One family with valid work permits revealed that their children are unable to attend school due to bureaucratic delays in processing student visas. ‘The kids lose classes while the Ministry of Homeland Security doesn’t respond,’ they said.

The exodus extends beyond TT, with many Venezuelans planning to relocate to countries like Guyana, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, where governments are welcoming Venezuelan workers and investors. Travel agencies in Venezuela and TT have reported a surge in ticket requests, with entire families purchasing one-way tickets. Luis Arias, a travel agent in Venezuela, noted that requests from Venezuelans in TT to travel to Brazil, Argentina, and Guyana have tripled in recent weeks.

Before the UNHCR ceased operations in TT in August 2025, the country hosted over 40,000 Venezuelans under various forms of humanitarian protection. Today, social media is rife with posts like ‘Selling fridge and bed – leaving for Brazil’ and ‘Urgent sale of motorcycle, need to leave before November.’ For many Venezuelans, TT was once a land of opportunity. Now, they are fleeing in fear, leaving behind their livelihoods and dreams.

A convoy delivering aid to Black River, Jamaica, navigates through Holland Bamboo on October 29, where fallen trees and debris partially obstruct the road. This follows the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on October 28. While Trinidad and Tobago (TT) students in Jamaica are physically unharmed, many are grappling with significant mental trauma from the harrowing experience. Melinda Alfred, the Tobago representative of the TT Student Association at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus, revealed that this was the first hurricane encounter for most students, leaving them deeply shaken. She recounted how high winds tore windows off dormitory blocks at Elsa Leo-Rhynie Hall, exposing rooms to the elements. Students had to secure windows manually during the storm, leading to water damage in several rooms. The adverse weather conditions persisted from October 25, lasting five days. Currently, several dormitories lack WiFi and electricity, with generators providing intermittent power. This has forced students to discard perishable food, including meat, exacerbating their frustration and mental exhaustion. Jaden Paris, the association’s vice president, expressed gratitude for the support from the TT High Commission in Jamaica, which provided food, toiletries, and water. Additionally, the association president used donations from Jamaican and TT sponsors to purchase non-perishable food items before the hurricane, ensuring students’ immediate needs were met. Alfred highlighted ongoing efforts by the central government, Tobago House of Assembly, Tobago Emergency Management Agency, and TT citizens to send donations of non-perishable food and money through the High Commission. These donations were expected to reach students by November 1. Despite their own challenges, the association is collecting non-perishable food to assist severely affected parishes, where TT citizens also reside. Alfred noted that while approximately 350 TT students are in Jamaica, the number is increasing daily, with the association now catering to 400 individuals. She emphasized the need for timely food distribution and is working to locate all Tobagonians, including two athletes in St Elizabeth parish, where the hurricane made landfall. While these athletes are physically well, communication remains limited, and other students’ dorms in the area were completely destroyed.