标签： Trinidad and Tobago

The Sea Lots basketball court transformed into a vibrant hub of celebration on December 14th as the community witnessed an extraordinary youth event that far exceeded expectations. Organized by the Sea Lots Legacy Foundation in collaboration with rising musical artist Yung Bredda and supported by KFC Trinidad, the initiative initially planned for 250 children but ultimately welcomed hundreds more as word spread throughout the neighborhood.

Children’s laughter filled the air as they participated in various activities including face-painting, games, and festive treats. The event marked a significant partnership between corporate resources and local leadership, with KFC additionally funding court improvements including fresh paint and new basketball equipment.

At the heart of the celebration stood Akhenaton Lewis, professionally known as Yung Bredda, a 26-year-old soca artist who grew up and still resides in Sea Lots. Lewis performed his popular tracks including ‘The Greatest Bend Over,’ ‘Tap Out,’ ‘Rags,’ and ‘Blaze’ for his hometown community. Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Lewis shared: ‘Growing up, I anxiously awaited Christmas parties from outside organizations because my mother couldn’t always afford toys. Now I’m blessed to help create those moments for today’s children.’

The Sea Lots Legacy Foundation, established in 2023 by brothers Nigel and Andy Charles alongside Lewis, has consistently worked to provide structure and opportunities for local youth through food drives, seasonal events, and educational initiatives. Nigel Charles emphasized their mission: ‘We’re building youth mindsets through community events that offer exposure to different lifestyles.’

KFC’s involvement represents more than corporate social responsibility—it signals a strategic shift in cultural partnerships. Stacey Ryan, Marketing Head for KFC and Pizza Hut at Prestige Holdings, explained: ‘Our collaboration with Yung Bredda extends beyond using his music for brand elevation. We’re genuinely investing in his journey and the community that shaped him.’

The company announced plans to launch a music-focused program in 2026 targeting at-risk communities, beginning with Sea Lots but eventually expanding to other underserved areas. This initiative reflects KFC’s evolving approach to cultural partnerships that prioritize genuine community engagement over traditional marketing.

Both organizers and sponsors highlighted the event as a powerful demonstration of what becomes possible when corporate resources align with authentic community leadership and homegrown talent.

In a groundbreaking development for regional water management, the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) has achieved a historic milestone with Candice Santana and Laurayne Lucky assuming simultaneous leadership as president and executive director respectively. This marks the first time since the organization’s establishment in 1991 that both top positions are held by women, signaling a transformative shift in governance approaches to the region’s pressing water and sanitation challenges.

The significance of this leadership transition was highlighted during the CWWA’s 21st Higher Level Forum in Belize, where ministers and utility heads from across the Dutch, Spanish, English, and French Caribbean convened. Santana notably pointed out the persistent gender imbalance at senior levels, observing that only two women were present among the region’s top water management officials.

Both leaders bring substantial credentials to their roles, with Santana, 39, having joined the CWWA board in 2016 and serving six years before her 2024 presidential election, while Lucky, 44, oversees the association’s secretariat operations. Their appointments represent not merely symbolic progress but substantive expertise gained through decades of professional and academic preparation.

Santana emphasizes the importance of merit-based advancement rather than token appointments to fulfill diversity quotas. ‘Do not put me in the ring to just tick a box, especially if you don’t really want to hear what I have to say,’ she asserts, reflecting on her experiences as a young woman facing dual categorization for both age and gender representation.

The new president also addresses the challenge of unsolicited advice frequently directed at young female leaders, advocating for strategic discernment amid external opinions. ‘You need to sit back from all the advice and use your discernment… bring your innovation to the table and understand the best direction for the organization,’ she advises.

Lucky echoes these sentiments, acknowledging the particular challenges women face in the STEM-focused water and sanitation sector while emphasizing the field’s inherent difficulties for all professionals. Their leadership partnership aims to model substantive gender inclusion while addressing the Caribbean’s critical water infrastructure needs through experienced, qualified guidance rather than symbolic representation.

Amid growing global tensions and domestic hardships, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon emphasized the enduring significance of Jesus Christ during Christmas celebrations at Archbishop’s House in Port of Spain. The December 13th creche blessing ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the holiday’s spiritual foundations despite contemporary challenges.

Addressing attendees after the traditional blessing, Gordon drew parallels between current global conflicts and the historical circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. “Society is experiencing pain from poverty like we’ve not seen for a while,” he observed, noting how geopolitical tensions increasingly affect local communities. “When Jesus Christ was born, we had the same kind of drama happening—Herod as a false king, Roman oppression, and all tensions present.”

The Archbishop’s message centered on finding inner peace through spiritual connection. “Jesus changes everything. This Christmas, with all things happening around, pull to the inside of your heart and find Him who is the Prince of Peace,” he urged congregants, emphasizing the transformative power of faith during turbulent times.

The ceremony featured vibrant musical performances from multiple Catholic institutions, including Holy Name Convent, St Francis Boy’s College, and Sacred Heart Boys’ Roman Catholic School. Students from the Seminary of St John Vianney, Uganda Martyrs from Mount St Benedict, and Providence Girls Catholic Secondary School delivered carols and parang music, enhancing the festive atmosphere while recounting the nativity story through song.

Gordon encouraged practical spirituality, suggesting that the best gift to Jesus would be acts of kindness toward others. His blessing extended to all present, acknowledging the importance of collectively refocusing on the Nativity’s profound meaning for contemporary society.

Tyreka Russell’s transition from the warm shores of Cocorite to becoming a professional chemical water analyst in Germany exemplifies a remarkable journey of personal and professional transformation. Her story began in October 2018 when she boarded a flight to Germany, unaware of how profoundly this decision would reshape her life trajectory.

Growing up in a tightly-knit family environment, Russell developed early connections to nature through Sunday hikes with her aunt, a Trinbago Backpackers hike leader, discovering Trinidad and Tobago’s hidden natural treasures. At St Francois Girls’ College in Belmont, she cultivated her academic interests through environmental science, geography, and biology courses, initially aspiring toward marine biology as a means to combine her passion for swimming with environmental conservation.

The pivotal turning point emerged during a career fair at the Hyatt hotel where Russell discovered Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences (HSRW) in Kamp-Lintfort. The institution offered English-taught degrees with free tuition—requiring only living expenses—making international education accessible without German language prerequisites. She enrolled in the BSc Environment and Energy program, despite Germany not being among her original considered destinations (the US, Canada, or UK).

Her arrival in Germany presented significant cultural adaptations: mastering punctual public transportation systems, enduring colder climates (below 22°C), and navigating academic structures vastly different from Trinidad’s system. During her initial semester, Russell avoided solo train travel due to navigation anxieties, relying on international student communities for support while gradually building German language proficiency.

The professional breakthrough occurred through an internship at Lower Left Rhine Drainage Corporation (LINEG) in 2022, where she joined the chemistry department at their central laboratory. This hands-on experience proved instrumental in developing technical skills through authorized independent analyses. Her thesis research—”Detection of Sulphate in Different Water Matrices Using Raman Spectroscopy”—provided particularly valuable practical experience in sample collection, measurement, and results presentation.

Russell’s exceptional performance led to a part-time position offer, coinciding with her pursuit of a B1 German certificate at the Goethe Institute in Düsseldorf—a crucial factor in her subsequent hiring. Upon graduation in 2024, LINEG offered her a full-time chemical analyst position, validating her professional value while presenting emotionally complex decisions about extended stay in Germany.

Collegial support proved essential to her integration, with LINEG colleagues assisting both laboratory techniques and societal navigation, including immigration procedures. While German language remains an ongoing challenge, Russell notes how linguistic improvement transformed her social integration and unlocked previously inaccessible opportunities.

Despite culinary nostalgia for Trinidadian flavors and profound family connections, Russell recognizes Germany’s superior resources for professional development in environmental science. She maintains openness to eventual return to contribute to Trinidad and Tobago’s environmental monitoring and sustainability initiatives, though currently envisions her career future in Germany.

Her advice to prospective international students emphasizes courageous risk-taking: “Studying or working abroad opens doors you don’t know exist yet. Even short international exposure can transform perspectives, build confidence, and reveal opportunities unavailable domestically.” Reflecting on her journey from Cocorite to Kamp-Lintfort, Russell summarizes: “Challenging and overwhelming—but worth it. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.”