标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Nestled within the compound of St Dominic’s RC Church in Penal, a unique initiative named *A Ray of Hope* is making a profound difference in the lives of vulnerable and migrant children. Housed in two repurposed shipping containers, this child-friendly space provides education and a sense of belonging to over 70 children aged four to 13, many of whom are Venezuelan migrants. The project, which began in 2018 under the guidance of then parish priest Fr Robert Christo, has grown into a beacon of hope for displaced families. Today, Venezuelan priest Fr Jorge Amundarain leads the initiative, emphasizing education as a tool for empowerment. He stated, “Education helps children become individuals who can reason, think creatively, and develop their own ideas.” The program, which mirrors Trinidad and Tobago’s national curriculum, also includes subjects like Spanish, Venezuelan history, and geography to prepare children for their eventual return home. Despite its success, the initiative faces financial challenges, relying heavily on community donations and goodwill. Cristina John, the program coordinator, highlighted the struggle for consistent funding, especially after UNICEF’s budget cuts. The project continues to thrive thanks to local supporters, including The Children’s Ark, which donated one of the containers. With a teaching staff of four locals and two Venezuelans, including sports instructor Moises McNish, the program also bridges cultural gaps, introducing students to Trinidadian traditions like Divali. Fr Amundarain remains hopeful, stating, “May this project continue as long as God allows.” The team dreams of expanding to include teenagers but is constrained by limited space and resources. For those willing to help, contact details are available to support this vital cause.

A violent altercation involving students from Barataria North Secondary School has prompted a mother to withdraw her daughter from the institution, citing fears for her safety. The incident, which occurred on November 4 near the school premises, was captured on video and quickly spread across social media platforms. The footage depicted a chaotic scene with numerous students engaged in physical confrontations, including male students assaulting female peers. Witnesses, including a woman wielding a shovel, attempted to intervene, shouting at the students to leave the area. Law enforcement officers present at the scene appeared visibly overwhelmed by the scale of the disturbance. The concerned mother, speaking to Newsday on November 5, expressed her apprehension about potential future attacks on her daughter and has formally requested a school transfer, urging the Education Ministry to expedite the process. Police investigations into the incident are currently underway.

In a harrowing incident that unfolded in the early hours of November 4, a family of seven in south Trinidad was violently awakened by a group of masked gunmen posing as police officers. The ordeal took place around 3 am along the SS Erin Road in Phillipine, a community that is also home to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC. The family, which included five children, was jolted awake by shouts of “Police! Police!” outside their residence. Six armed intruders forcefully kicked open the front door and stormed the house. The attackers demanded money from Vijay Ragoonanan, the homeowner and a gardener by profession. When Ragoonanan informed them he had no money, the assailants struck him multiple times in the face with their firearms. At the time of the attack, Ragoonanan was in a bedroom with his wife and two of their children, including a seven-year-old. The gunmen proceeded to tie the hands of all family members with tie straps and bound their feet with duct tape. They then ransacked the house, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash, cellphones, and other valuables before fleeing the scene. Police from the Southern Division swiftly responded to the incident but were unable to locate the suspects. Investigations into the brazen home invasion are currently ongoing.

The National Drama Association of TT (NDATT) has officially announced its upcoming Biennial General Meeting (BGM), scheduled for November 22 at 10 am in the Helen May Johnstone Room, Queen’s Hall. This pivotal event will allow members to review the progress of the current executive committee and elect a new leadership team for the next two years. Key positions up for election include president, vice president, secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, public relations officer, education officer, and resource development officer.

In a move to ensure a fair and transparent election process, NDATT has introduced a new Expression of Interest (EOI) system. This initiative, spearheaded by trustees Peter Craig and Triston Wallace, aims to provide members with ample time and information to evaluate potential candidates before formal nominations and voting. Wallace emphasized that leadership within NDATT is rooted in service, humility, and collaboration, urging all members to actively participate in this critical moment for the association.

The EOI period is now open and will close on November 12, ten days before the BGM. All submissions will be reviewed exclusively by the trustees to maintain transparency. A catalog of interested candidates will be shared with members and the public at least seven days prior to the meeting. Nominees must be present at the BGM to accept their nominations, and if no EOI is received for a particular position, nominations will be accepted on the day of the meeting.

Only members with up-to-date financial status for 2025/2026 are eligible to nominate, be nominated, vote, or serve on the executive committee. NDATT encourages all members to ensure their memberships are current ahead of the BGM. For further details, members can contact NDATT via email at nationaldramatnt@gmail.com, call 798-6676, or visit their social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and X @iamndatt.

Commissioner of Police (CoP) Allister Guevarro has expressed strong support for the ongoing detention of 98 individuals under preventative detention orders (PDOs) during Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency (SoE). The SoE, declared on July 18 and extended twice, has led to a notable decline in crime rates, with homicides dropping by 42%, violent crimes by 19%, and other serious offenses by 11%. Guevarro emphasized that the detainees, including a police officer and a prison officer, will remain in custody as long as the SoE persists, though he acknowledged their eventual release is inevitable. The CoP highlighted the effectiveness of the SoE in curbing crime but clarified that PDOs are preventive measures, not indictments of criminal activity. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar assured that detainees retain access to justice, including the right to appeal to a tribunal or court. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin reported over 2,000 charges filed since the SoE began, underscoring the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies. Guevarro urged public cooperation, warning that silence perpetuates crime, and emphasized the need for sustained vigilance to maintain the progress achieved.