标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Sewa International Trinidad and Tobago (Sewa TT) is set to host its sixth annual clothing drive on October 25 and 26 at the National Council of Indian Culture’s (NCIC) Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas. This initiative, which began in 2018, has grown into one of the largest textile recycling efforts in the Caribbean, blending environmental sustainability with humanitarian service. Sewa TT’s president, Revan Teelucksingh, emphasized the drive’s evolution, noting its innovative collection and distribution systems have improved each year. The event not only redistributes gently used clothing but also fosters regional collaboration, particularly with Sewa Dominica, Sewa Guyana, and Sewa Suriname, to enhance disaster response logistics. The clothing drive has had a profound impact on the community, providing professional attire for job trainees and law students, and comfort for long-stay hospital patients. Volunteers have also found a sense of community and lasting friendships through their participation. The drive’s system ensures dignity for recipients by allowing them to select clothing in a private setting. Additionally, it addresses environmental concerns by reducing textile waste in landfills. Despite challenges such as funding and time constraints, Sewa TT remains committed to transparency and efficiency, with less than five percent of funds allocated to administrative costs. The organization’s growing volunteer base and partnerships with supermarkets and corporate sponsors highlight the collective effort’s success. Teelucksingh encourages more people to get involved, emphasizing that even small contributions can make a significant difference. The 2025 drive aims to improve the racking system for displaying donations, with a budget exceeding $500,000. For more information or to donate, visit www.sewa.org or contact Sewa TT via WhatsApp at 333-SEWA.

In a significant legal outcome, a 22-year-old man was acquitted of all charges, including attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and malicious damage, following a retrial at the O’Meara Judicial Centre on October 6. The verdict was delivered by a nine-member jury after a thorough examination of the case, which originated from an alleged incident on July 9, 2023, near Zumba’s Bar on San Francique Road, Penal. The accused, whose identity remains undisclosed to protect the privacy of those involved, was arrested on February 17, 2024, at his workplace. The retrial, presided over by Justice Sherene Murray-Bailey, began on September 10. The prosecution claimed that the accused physically assaulted a woman after a night out, resulting in multiple injuries, and damaged her cellphone. However, the defence argued that the accused had responded to a distress call from the woman and was subsequently attacked by two men accompanying her. Throughout the trial, inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony were highlighted, and the defence questioned the lack of corroborative evidence, such as CCTV footage or independent witness statements. The jury ultimately found the accused not guilty of all charges. The case was represented by Counsel Collin Elbourne and Janeil Chuck of the Public Defenders’ Department, while prosecutors Chenelle Moe and Roger Hinds appeared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This case also highlighted the effectiveness of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act (AJIPA), as the proceedings concluded within 20 months of the accused’s arrest.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has likened her government’s decision to replace temporary make-work schemes like Cepep and URP with sustainable employment to ending ‘a kind of slavery.’ Speaking at the National Recruitment Drive held at the National Cycling Centre in Couva on October 23, Persad-Bissessar expressed her satisfaction in providing meaningful jobs for citizens. She emphasized that the overwhelming turnout reflected the public’s eagerness for stable employment opportunities. The Prime Minister addressed criticisms of phasing out Cepep and URP, stating that these programs offered only short-term relief and did not enable citizens to secure mortgages or fund education. She described such schemes as ‘hand-to-mouth feeding’ and vowed to create ‘real jobs for real people.’ The government plans to roll out these opportunities gradually, filling vacancies in ministries and fostering private-sector partnerships. Persad-Bissessar also highlighted the misuse of funds in previous programs, which reportedly drained billions from the Treasury and, in some cases, fueled criminal activity. Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles, however, urged the government to show compassion toward displaced workers, claiming that over 30,000 people were left jobless due to the shutdown of Cepep, URP, and the reforestation program. The recruitment drive, which concluded on October 24, received over 110,000 online applications. Officials will now review submissions and begin interviews on October 28. The initiative aims to provide employment across various sectors, including skilled and unskilled labor, engineering, and administrative roles. Persad-Bissessar visited multiple booths at the event, where ministry representatives shared application statistics. For instance, the Education Ministry received 56 applications on Thursday, bringing its total to 128. The Prime Minister reiterated her commitment to job creation, acknowledging that while not all 90,000 applicants would secure positions immediately, her administration is working diligently to fulfill its promises. The recruitment drive also extended to Princes Town, where scores of hopeful applicants gathered at the URP office. Nerue Mohammed, a long-time unemployed resident, praised the initiative, likening the previous employment struggles to ‘slavery days.’ Erica Gibbs, a former Cepep worker, welcomed the opportunity to secure a stable job as a cleaner. The drive is open to all citizens, regardless of background, offering a fresh start for recent graduates, skilled workers, and those seeking new opportunities.

Dr. Anand Chatoorgoon, the Director of the Southwest Regional Health Authority (SWRHA), has been found in contempt of court for failing to comply with a prior injunction related to his late mother’s estate. Justice Margaret Mohammed delivered the ruling on October 21, ordering Dr. Chatoorgoon to serve seven days of simple imprisonment. The case revolves around a property located at 12 Jereton Avenue, Coconut Drive, San Fernando, owned by the late Indira Chatoorgoon, who passed away on November 27, 2022. Her daughter, Vitra Rampersad, serves as the administratrix of the estate. In September 2024, Dr. Chatoorgoon was ordered to vacate the property by January 31 and remove religious signs he had installed. However, evidence presented by Rampersad’s attorneys, Kingsley Walesby and Stephanie Rajkumar, revealed that Dr. Chatoorgoon continued to occupy the premises, hold weekly “Satsang” gatherings, and maintain personal belongings there months after the court-ordered deadline. Justice Mohammed ruled that Dr. Chatoorgoon’s actions constituted a “deliberate, calculated, and intentional flouting” of the court’s order, dismissing his claim of misunderstanding the injunction as “disingenuous.” She emphasized that Dr. Chatoorgoon, a highly educated anaesthesiologist with decades of experience in the health sector, fully understood his obligations under the injunction. While the court initially imposed a seven-day prison term, the order was suspended on specific conditions. Dr. Chatoorgoon must remove all personal and religious items from the property by October 31, provide an inventory to Rampersad’s attorney by November 3, and ensure his sister, Mala Maharaj, removes a caveat filed in the estate by October 27. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the imprisonment taking effect on November 10. Dr. Chatoorgoon was also ordered to pay the costs of the contempt application filed on March 13. He was represented by Ernest Koylass, SC, and Debbie Roopchand.