标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In an extraordinary demonstration of lifelong dedication and resilience, 72-year-old Clifford Mendez from Chaguanas has triumphantly returned to martial arts after a five-decade hiatus, recently achieving his brown belt in karate with aspirations toward black belt mastery.

The Shotokan Karate do International Federation (SKIF TT) formally presented Mendez with his brown belt and certification during a December 20 ceremony at La Joya Complex in St Joseph. This prestigious Japanese-affiliated organization recognized Mendez’s remarkable journey that originated in his teenage years, paused abruptly at age 22, and found its courageous resurgence exactly fifty years later.

“This achievement represents half a century of contemplation,” Mendez revealed. “Not a single year passed without me considering a return to practice. With advancing age often comes regret for unrealized ambitions – this was mine, and I’m actualizing it now.”

Mendez’s recommitment to karate began just over four months ago following an extensive search for suitable training accommodations. After encountering logistical challenges with other organizations, he persistently sought instructors willing to conduct home sessions that would restore his technical proficiency. His pursuit culminated with Sensei Ian Sammy, chief instructor and president of SKIF TT, who arranged specialized home training to rebuild Mendez’s capabilities.

The initial training proved profoundly challenging. “I contemplated immediate withdrawal,” Mendez admitted. “The intensity exceeded expectations, and the trainer maintained rigorous standards. I specifically requested no age-related concessions – I desired genuine achievement, not ceremonial recognition.”

Following four months of intensive home preparation, Mendez transitioned to the La Joya dojo, where he discovered both technical competence and communal belonging. “I experienced immediate comfort and acceptance within the dojo community,” he noted. “I recognized that my skills matched established standards and that I belonged among practicing members.”

His rapid progression qualified him for December 17’s brown belt examination, which he successfully passed, subsequently joining training sessions alongside black belt practitioners.

Beyond the dojo, Mendez’s life reflects consistent service and intellectual pursuit. A father of ten children, he studied print technology at Canada’s George Brown College, served on the John Donaldson College advisory board (precursor to the University of Trinidad and Tobago), and formerly acted as Public Relations Officer for the Caribbean Students Association.

Martial arts tradition permeates his family lineage, with his sister Claudia Mendez having earned recognition as a brown belt “kata queen” through another karate organization. While pandemic considerations temporarily delayed Mendez’s return to training, his 2024 commitment manifested through three to four weekly sessions persevering through physical discomfort.

“Sensei Sammy consistently advises measured progression at my own pace,” Mendez explained. “His philosophical guidance provides essential motivation. With institutional support and SKIF’s familial environment, black belt achievement becomes an attainable reality.”

Training alongside significantly younger practitioners presents psychological challenges, but Mendez emphasizes mental fortitude: “One must transcend psychological barriers through direct engagement. Simply act.” He further stresses karate’s non-aggressive philosophy, recalling how his youthful training enabled conflict avoidance rather than confrontation.

SKIF TT’s inclusive programming accommodates practitioners from ages 4 to 94, with Sammy identifying Mendez among their most senior members. A 62-year-old student currently prepares for black belt testing next year, challenging misconceptions about age limitations in martial arts.

“Mendez’s determination is exceptional for his age cohort,” Sammy observed. “While karate historically developed for adults, contemporary programming adapts training methodologies across ages and capabilities.”

The organization emphasizes self-protection, discipline, and respect alongside physical conditioning. Regarding Mendez’s ambitions, Sammy confirmed: “His black belt goal is achievable. We accommodate age-related limitations through progressive training. Two additional brown belt levels precede black belt qualification, potentially attainable within one year.”

Advanced rank progression requires sustained commitment, with first-degree black belts necessitating two additional years’ training for second-degree examination. Mendez’s presence inspires fellow students as a mentoring figure demonstrating that lifelong passions remain achievable regardless of temporal interruption.

In the heart of San Fernando, a remarkable story of resilience and creativity unfolds at Pretty V’s Petals floral boutique. Shanti Kissoon, 55, has transformed life’s profound hardships into an extraordinary talent for creating beauty through floral arrangements.

Growing up in rural Cumuto as one of thirteen children, Kissoon faced early adversity when she lost her mother to cancer at just 13 years old. This tragic loss became the catalyst for developing both practical skills and emotional resilience that would later define her artistic vision. “I learned to help maintain our home quickly,” Kissoon reflects, “but more importantly, I learned to see potential where others saw only limitation.”

Her floral business, co-operated with Amaan Dar at the Arcade Mall, represents more than commercial enterprise—it embodies a philosophy of transforming “ugly into beauty” and “pain into pleasantries.” This approach stems from childhood influences; her mother, Phoolmat, was an avid craft enthusiast and plant lover whose passion became Kissoon’s inheritance.

“My mother instilled in me this deep appreciation for nature’s overlooked treasures,” Kissoon explains. “While others might dismiss certain materials as ‘old bush,’ I see inherent beauty. This perspective extends beyond floristry—it’s how I approach life itself.”

Completely self-taught, Kissoon developed her distinctive style through observation and experimentation. Her creations have gained particular attention for their non-conventional designs and colors, with clients increasingly seeking arrangements that maintain their appeal beyond seasonal celebrations.

The Christmas season holds complex emotional resonance for Kissoon, evoking memories of impoverished but joyful celebrations. “We created decorations from saved matchboxes wrapped as gifts and used pine branches as Christmas trees,” she recalls. “Those experiences taught me that celebration isn’t about material wealth but about shared joy and creativity.”

This philosophy now informs her business ethos: “Christmas represents faith, family, and love—not commercial competition. I strive to help people remember those less fortunate and brighten lives through floral artistry that carries emotional significance beyond aesthetic appeal.”

Kissoon’s journey from Cumuto to successful entrepreneurship demonstrates how personal history can shape professional excellence. Her story stands as testament to the transformative power of viewing challenges as opportunities and finding beauty in unexpected places.

While Christmas traditionally evokes images of festive gatherings and abundance, for Trinidad’s homeless and socially displaced populations, the season amplifies feelings of isolation and hardship. Attorney Sherise Naseem Hosein, 33, embodies an alternative spirit of Christmas through her dual commitment to legal excellence and humanitarian service.

Operating from Mandamus Law Chambers in Couva, Hosein has dedicated her nine-year legal career to courtroom advocacy while simultaneously volunteering with the Socially Displaced Restoration Centre (SDRC). Her motivation stems from childhood values instilled by her taxi driver father Shameel Mohammed, secretary mother Fareza Hosein, and grandparents Jamadar and Zaibun Hosein. “They taught me kindness, empathy and consideration for others through daily actions,” she reflects, noting how the principle that “service to God is service to man” guided her development.

Despite early academic challenges in reading, Hosein’s perseverance led her to pursue international relations at UWI, law through the University of London, and an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University. This educational foundation now supports her work with SDRC’s initiatives, including weekly food distributions and quarterly “care days” at Couva’s Inshan Ali Promenade. The organization is currently advocating to convert an abandoned Couva building into an overnight shelter with rehabilitation services.

Hosein’s volunteer engagement extends to the TTPS Community Justice Clinic, where she has served as team lead for four years. This collaborative effort between police and volunteer attorneys provides accessible legal guidance on family matters, domestic violence, and land issues—cases often intersecting with social vulnerability. “The goal is to empower the community with knowledge so justice isn’t out of reach,” Hosein explains.

The attorney challenges common misconceptions about homelessness, emphasizing that “many people are displaced due to circumstances beyond their control—loss, trauma, unemployment, or untreated mental-health challenges.” She identifies systemic gaps including affordable housing shortages and limited social support as contributing factors, advocating for both policy reform and community-driven solutions.

Balancing legal practice with volunteer commitments requires meticulous organization, but Hosein finds the experience transformative. “Volunteering has reinforced how even smallest acts of kindness impact lives,” she observes. Her Christmas perspective has evolved beyond celebration to emphasize “compassion, presence, and small acts of kindness that bring comfort and dignity.”

Hosein’s message to the public transcends seasonal giving: “Compassion isn’t only for special occasions. Even small contributions of time or support can build a stronger, caring community year-round.”

A Trinidadian expatriate residing in Tanzania finds herself in a precarious legal limbo after immigration authorities misplaced her passport, leaving her without valid identification during a period of significant political turmoil. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, originally relocated to Tanzania seeking career advancement opportunities unavailable in her homeland.

Her residency renewal process typically involved submitting documentation through local immigration channels to the national headquarters in Dodoma. However, during her 2023 renewal attempt, officials claimed to have misplaced a supplementary travel document and subsequently refused to release her passport. The situation deteriorated further this year when immigration authorities admitted they could no longer locate her passport entirely.

Her attempts to secure replacement documentation through Trinidad and Tobago’s diplomatic channels proved frustratingly ineffective. The High Commission in Nigeria redirected her to London, where communications went unanswered, leaving repatriation as the only apparent solution—an option she resisted due to professional commitments and seasonal business demands.

This personal crisis escalated against the backdrop of Tanzania’s contentious October 29 general elections. Official results claiming a 97.66% victory for the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party were met with widespread skepticism amid reports of electoral irregularities. Violent protests erupted, resulting in alleged hundreds of casualties according to external sources, though government figures remain unconfirmed.

The administration responded by attributing the unrest to foreign agitators, implementing widespread identity checks and roadblocks. President Samia Suluhu Hassan publicly condemned the violence while emphasizing the involvement of non-Tanzanian elements. This official narrative intensified the Trinidadian woman’s vulnerability, as she lacked the documentation to prove her legal status.

Following media intervention, immigration officials in Trinidad provided direct contacts to the London High Commission, which holds jurisdiction over passport issuance for citizens in Europe, Africa, and China. An officer suggested the passport might have been diverted for illegal trade, noting the high value of Trinidad and Tobago passports in document trafficking circles due to their visa-free access to numerous countries.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has pledged assistance, and the woman has now received assurances from London that her replacement documents will be expedited once processed.