RADHICA DE SILVA

radhicasookraj@guardian.co.tt

More than a week after being arrested, a 38-year-old mason has finally been charged with the quadruple murder which rocked the community of Sobo Village in La Brea, earlier this month.

After two days of deliberations, Ag Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard gave the all clear for police to charge the suspect with the murders of Abigail Jones-Chapman, 41, her daughter Olivia Chapman, 16, friend Michaela Mason, 14 and landlord, Micheal Scott, 69, who were killed at Scott's home at Khani Settlement, Sobo Village, on March 14.

The charges read that between March 11 to March 14, 2018, he murdered the four people.

The accused, from Gonzales Village, Guapo, was arrested around 9 am on March 16, walking along a roadway leading out of St Albans Quarry, located 200 metres off the Valencia Stretch.

Officers of the La Horquetta Crime Patrol Unit, under Sgt Vaughn Waldropt, made the arrest after receiving information that he was hiding out in the area. The suspect had a green knapsack packed with clothing at the time he was held.

In an interview yesterday, the suspect's attorney Fareed Ali said he has been visiting his client on a daily basis and was satisfied that he was getting all that was legally due to him as a prisoner.

"He is getting the opportunity to bathe and change his clothes. He is being fed and whenever I want to see him, I am was allowed to visit him," Ali said.

Jones-Chapman, a Spanish teacher at the Southern Academy of the Seventh-Day Adventists, La Romaine, was beaten to death at her apartment. Her daughter, Olivia, a student of the Point Fortin East Secondary School was also beaten and stabbed to death, while Mason's throat was slit. Scott, who is believed to have come to the defence of the females, was bludgeoned to death with a cricket stump.

Jones-Chapman’s younger children, ages 12 and eight, were found unharmed in Scott’s apartment upstairs.

Investigators suspect the killing stemmed from a domestic dispute between Jones-Chapman and the suspect after she ended their one-year relationship the previous week.

Did you know that Trinidadians use Patois in their everyday language? Think of: “bosee back” (hunched back); “bazodee” (stunned or startled); “zaboca” (avocado) or “doudou” (darling).

Caribbean Yard Campus launches its Dry Season Programme from the beginning of April with three courses in Patois/Kweyol, Spanish and backyard gardening.

All courses are open to the public, and there are no pre-requisites except for your curiosity and desire to learn more about some of our home-grown Caribbean languages and traditions.

Conversational Spanish classes are linked to an optional tour of Cuba, and conversational Kweyol classes are linked to an optional tour of St Lucia.

The course in French Patois is called Nou Ka Pale Patwa. Class dates are: Thursday, April 5 to Saturday, June 23; class times are Thursdays 5 pm-7 pm and Saturdays 10 am-1 pm.

The course in conversational Spanish is called Vamos a Cuba. Class dates are: Tuesday, April 3 to Saturday, June 23. Class times are: Tuesdays 10 am-12 noon or 5-7 pm and Saturdays 2 pm-5 pm.

The backyard gardening and small farms class is called Planting People, and will teach gardening techniques and some simple projects to make your backyard more productive and delicious. Activities will include how to set up an integrated farm, ecological crop management, craft use of plants, and establishing community skills banks and business approaches to empower and better organize self-help groups. Class dates are Saturday, April 7 to Saturday, June 23. Class times are: Saturdays 8 am-12 noon.

In-class sessions in Patois and Spanish will be held at the Lloyd Best Institute in Tunapuna. The Patois course also includes a practical, interactive component in the Patois-speaking communities of Paramin, Talparo, and San Rafael. The Spanish language course comes with a series of focused presentations on different aspects of life in Cuba including doing business in Cuba, accessing the Cuban health system and understanding the arts and religion, among others. The Planting People course takes place in the hills of Caura at the Agronomics Institute.

For more details, or to register, the public is invited to call 771-4952 or 663 5463, or email: caribbeanyardcampus@gmail.com

It is clear that fans, supporters, fanatics, call it what you want, are attracted to sports and sporting events by big personalities, big names, Heroes! That particular team or individual who will make you put out your hard earned dollar in order to witness in the flesh at any venue in your country, whether it be Port-of-Spain, Couva, Arima, Grande, Diego, San Fernando, Mayaro or Penal, you name it.

So for instance, if Usain Bolt was to show up next week to run at a meet in Point Fortin or at the Darren Ganga Ground in Barrackpore, I could bet you my yearly earnings that the Games would turn over it’s biggest ever profit from gates and media rights in its history. And this would be regardless of you live in the capital and really felt the race should be be staged at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Town.

Recent studies of the demand for sports clearly indicate that stars play an important role in promoting fan interest. In addition, superstars attract fans by outstanding field performances, whereas local heroes facilitate fan support by mere popularity.

A recent report stated, “That wise basketball philosopher Charles Barkley once declared, “I am not a role model".

Barkley, in his text for a Nike advertisement, was referring to role models, not sports heroes, but the concepts come from the same deep-seated need to make things what they are not. We crave illusion, and athletes have historically been vessels of our self-deception. In light of the dramatic falls of some heroes such as Marion Jones, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong among others, we need to either recalibrate our definition of the sports hero or scrap it altogether.

The concept is based largely on ignorance: the less we know about an athlete, the easier it becomes to invest him with lofty ideals. The ideals have little to do with the athlete’s character and everything to do with creating an artificial construct that serves a need.

Sports heroism contains a number of elements. Given the realities of social media, forgiveness and resilience are far more valuable than heroism.

Perhaps, T&T is lacking sporting heroes or idols today. Not that we don’t have athletes, cricketers, footballers and others who are not excelling and genuinely putting country before self. But there simply is a lack of individuals or teams that will make you drop what you are doing to support him, her or the team. One way of improving that is we ourselves, from media to the man on the street, playing our part in pushing our “heroes” so much that we want to be there to support them because we understand and accept their journey, their stories, what made them who they are and why we have fallen in love with them.

It’s the same way we can always switch on see Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Floyd Mayweather or even Brian Lara, Russell Latapy or Muhammad Ali back in their days. There was something special that we knew about them that drew us to them. Aside from their obvious sporting prowess and the way they dazzled us, there was something more to it.

Globally, marketing executives are always on the hunt for the next big stars in sports.

After all, history has proven that athletes can sell products and, perhaps even more important, create the connections between brand products and consumer that contemporary companies consider key to success. We, in T&T are part of this global scope and therefore we must adapt similar methods and not just wait until someone medals at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

In fact, we also must continue telling their stories and their journeys. We should not wait until Richard Thompson or Michelle Lee Ahye medals again to market them. We must maintain a trend. Dwight Yorke for instance is still a hero in Manchester and Russell Latapy is still a God at Easter Road where he played in Scotland for Hibernian. Dennis Lawrence can still turn heads when he walks through Wrexham. And why? Because their hero or legend status has not been forgotten. We do that too easily here at home. Success breeds success. Thinking positive does the same. We have got to use our past sporting heroes in way where their stories inspires the new generation.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

Shaun Fuentes was a FIFA media officer at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and is a CONCACAF tournament's press officer. He has worked in countries such as Nigeria, Morocco, Turkey, Brazil, Egypt,Panama, Bahamas, USA and the UK among sixty plus other countries as a media operations manager.

German-based defender Joevin Jones scored the lone item as T&T’s senior men’s team won its first match of 2018, a 1-0 victory over Guadeloupe at the ‎Stade René Serge Nabajoth Stadium on Friday night.

It was coach Dennis Lawrence’s first team first victory on the road since he became head coach last year during T&T's 2018 FIFA World Cup and Gold Cup qualifiers.

The visitors went on the attack early and in the fifth minute, Leston Paul produced the first real chance of the match after good work by Levi Garcia on the left flank.

However, the game's opening goal came when Nathan Lewis eluded two defenders and shot to goal, allowing Jones to pounce on the rebound and scored in the 29th minute for 1-0 first half lead.

In the 54th-minute, Garcia made a spectacular run from the half line and unleashed a powerful shot which crashed off the crossbar. Defence Force’s Reon Moore made his international debut, replacing Garcia in the 66th minute

The Soca Warriors will meet Martinique in Fort-de-France this evening from 6pm

TEAMS

T&T: 1.Marvin Phillip (GK); 16.Alvin Jones, 26.Daniel Cyrus, 17.Mekeil Williams, 18.Triston Hodge, 23.Leston Paul, 8.Khaleem Hyland (captain), 19.Kevan George, 3.Joevin Jones (10.Marcus Joseph 46), 11.Levi Garcia (12.Reon Moore 79), 7.Nathan Lewis.

Substitutes: 22.Adrian Foncette (GK), 2.Kareem Moses, 9.Akeem Roach, 13.Neveal Hackshaw, 14.Hashim Arcia, 15.Curtis Gonzales, 20.Nathaniel Garcia.

Coach: Dennis Lawrence

Guadeloupe: 16.Kevin Ajax (GK), 19.Ferdy Feliciane (14.Rimski Gerbier 71), 4.Ronan Hauterville, 2.Kevin Moeson, 5.Eddy Viator (captain), 8.Dimitri Bolivar, 12.Loic Romain (9.Elbert Anato 66), 13.Lenny Nangis, 15.Freddy Morand, 17.Raphael Mirval, 11.Yannick Passape.

Unused substitutes: 1.Frederick Tejou (GK), 3.Lijrick Errin, 6.Arthur Cadin, 7.Romain Linon, 10.Ruddy Vouteau, 20.Thomas Albon, 22.Travys Albina.

Coach: Jocelyn Angloma

Referee: Jean-Pierre Janvilliers (Martinique)

National track athletes Jereem “The Dream Richards and Michelle Lee Ahye were named the 2017 Sportsman and Sports woman of the Year when the First Citizens Sports Foundation held its annual awards presentation at Queen’s Hall, St Ann's, last night.

Both athletes were absent as they are competing overseas and were represented by their families.

Meanwhile, sprinter Adell Colthrust and shot putter Ianna Roach were adjudged the Junion Sportsman and Sportswoamn of the Year.

Richards of Point Fortin enjoyed a fairy tale 2017 as he produced arguably the greatest season in Alabama track and field history. He won the 200 meter title at the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championship and finished his sole season in Tuscaloosa having run seven of the ten fastest 200 meter outdoor times in school history as he inked his name into the elite sub-20 club.

Notwithstanding collegiate success, Richards arrived at the World Championships in London a relative unknown on the world stage. His bronze in the 200 meter final in a time of 20.11 confirmed his medal potential.

Richards then ran an epic second leg to secure a stunning World Championship victory for the T&T men’s 4 x 400 metres relay team. Receiving the baton well off the lead, Richards ran the fastest split of the four T&T relay legs to make up considerable ground creating history as team T&T won gold.

Dynamic and self-expressive Ahye, who won the award in 2016, her first, is one of the fastest women in the world.

The undisputed T&T speed queen recorded a personal best 10.82 seconds in the final of the National Championship at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, shattering the 100 metres national record in the process. The blistering run was the second fastest time recorded by a woman over 100 meters in the world during 2017.

The highlight of her busy international race calendar saw her sprint to a third place finish in Morocco at the Vid Athletisme De Ra Bat meet in a time of 11.02 seconds.

At the IAAF World Championships in London Ahye eased through the qualifying rounds booking a berth in the women's 100 meter final with a run of 11.04 seconds in the semis. In an enthralling final, Ahye finished sixth in a time of 11.01 seconds

Richards and Ahye surfaced ahead of 25 women and 26 men.

(Full story in tomorrow's edition)

With just over six months left in a US$2.4 million ($16 million) two-year contract with The Group DC LLC to provide lobbying services for T&T, the question is what exactly are the benefits T&T have achieved from the lobbyists.

Government, however, remains mum on this question.

The Sunday Guardian yesterday reached out to both Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Minister in the Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young seeking an answer to the question but there were no responses.

Messages left with the secretary of Arthur Collins, the man who heads The Group DC LLC, last week also remained unanswered.

On February 16 Dr Tim Gopeesingh, the MP for Caroni East posed the question to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley during the Prime Minister's questions. However, there was no response as question time ran out that day.

"With respect to the appointment of Mr Arthur Collins as an official lobbyist of T&T, could the Prime Minister indicate the value of payments made so far as well as the remaining sum due, in light of the imminent expiration of the contract?" Gopeesingh asked.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, former minister Devant Maharaj has filed a question with the Office of the Prime Minister as well, asking for the Group DC's list of responsibilities and terms of reference and/or contractual obligations and the "tangible returns" on our investment.

Questions include:

• "What specific lobby interests that GroupDC have lobbied Washington on behalf of GORTT? What was the success of each?"

• "What is the quantum of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) that GroupDC has negotiated for T&T?"

'One of its deliverables was to raise this country’s profile'

In October 2016, The Central Tenders Board entered into a US$ 2.4 million vat exclusive contract with The Group DC LLC to assist in initiating and sustaining relationships between the Government and US Members of Congress.

T&T was scheduled to make quarterly instalments to the firm.

According to correspondence from The Group DC LLC to the Ministry of Finance, the lobbyists were strategically positioned to cultivate and enhance this Government's bilateral relationship with The United States and to address key priorities.

Among its deliverables was to raise this country’s profile in the United States Congress, establish relationships with the relevant members of Congress, and track and advocate on behalf of the Government’s legislative priorities.

It also committed to raising the visibility of this country establishing T&T as a steady and consistent presence in Washington, and engaging the legislative and executive branches of the US government on a regular and frequent basis.

The Group DC LLC also committed to identify potential private sector partners for investment and seek public-private partnership as well as to raise the country’s trade profile and advocate for policies that grow and diversify the T&T economy.

This year T&T's international profile has taken a hit because of rising crime.

Last month the United States Embassy in T&T updated its travel advisory to this country warning of terrorism and prohibiting US Government personnel from visiting various areas in Port-of-Spain, including the interior of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Prior to using The Group DC, T&T used the services of Ainsley Gill and Associates.

Government had been using Gill’s services intermittently since 2004, under then prime minister Patrick Manning.

In 2009, Government paid US $4 million for similar services from Gill for a two-year period.

Gill was named in the agreement as a managing partner of The AGA Group LLC.

In 2004 Government awarded an annual contract of $7.5 million (US$1.2 million) to a Washington-based firm to lobby the Bush administration on T&T’s behalf.

The tender, officially awarded by the Central Tenders Board, was won by Ainsley Gill and Associates, after the firm beat out one other lobbying group for the contract.

Members of the Spiritual Baptist parade along Coffee Street in San Fernando, in celebration of the grand opening of the Tubal Uriah ‘Buzz” Butler Village on Harris Promenade, yesterday.PICTURE: TONY HOWELL

Hundreds of doubles vendors across T&T have been paying higher prices for channa (chick peas) during the last six months.

However, they have been absorbing that cost and not passing it on to the consumer by raising their prices. There are assurances today that wholesale and retail prices will be reduced in the coming weeks. Officials at one of T&T's largest import grain operations said with the recent price hike, which was estimated to be between 30 per cent and 40 per cent, "businessmen including doubles vendors have been taking the hit for the last six months."

Customers moved from paying between $4 and $4.50 per pound for the small-grain channa, to paying between $5.50 and $6.50 per pound.

Operating for more than 40 years, officials at the St Augustine-based company said the last major price increase in doubles occurred in 2015, two days after Finance Minister Colm Imbert presented the 2015/2016 budget. Doubles moved from $4 to $5.

The senior manager of the company, which is importing all edible grains and other produce in bulk to be repackaged and sold locally, said over 75 per cent of our chick peas comes from Canada and Argentina."

Although they purchase chick peas from producers in the US and India as well, the official admitted external market influences sometime determined the price at which channa and other grains would be sold locally. Chief among them is the weather.

He said "if the crop in Canada and Argentina was good and the yield was as they initially anticipated, you will find that local prices will remain stable or even drop."

Over the last six months "the crop in Canada failed so that drove up the prices internationally and locally," the official said.

He confirmed this was responsible for the increase in the price of channa in the local market during the last six months.

Estimating that by mid-April, "prices will drop," the official revealed that business owners had a particular pricing structure they utilised when purchasing goods which included minimum and maximum base figures.

He said doubles vendors had something to look forward to, "as they will soon start to benefit as the prices are set to fall."

Along with channa, red beans was also said to have cost consumers about 20 per cent more during 2017.

The official said the price of red beans was also expected to fall in the coming weeks. Consumers can expect savings on other grains as well.

Faced with a declining oil and gas industry coupled with the urgent need to ensure that Government earns its fair share of revenue from exploitation of T&T’s hydrocarbon resources, the Trinidad Saudi Chamber of Commerce’s (TSCC) first ever business forum seems to be taking place at an opportune time.

Over the last four decades, T&T’s oil and gas industry has been the primary engine driving the economy.

However, it has faced challenges in the last three to four years due to an extended period of low international hydrocarbons prices.

The forum, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Port-of-Spain, on Wednesday will primarily focus on developing synergistic ideas and sustainable relationships through presentations and discussions with diverse presenters on global investment know-how.

New market development and leveraging partnerships to support export of products and services, gain in forex and business growth will also be explored.

The forum is the first of its kind to be held in the English-speaking Caribbean.

Event sponsor Living Legends, a green city in Dubai based around a 9-hole world class golf course, will be presenting on real estate investment opportunities. Highlights of the Vision 2030 plans of both countries will also be presented.

TSCC co-founder Umar Khan believes the opportunity for economic growth in T&T is now. He said over the past five years the TSCC has been showcasing T&T to harness greater economic movement between this country and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Both economies have been dependent on the hydrocarbon industry and some would argue they have been over dependent. Both economies face the same challenge of diversification,” Khan said.

He said Saudi Arabia’s ultra-futuristic megacity project Neom (or Neo-Mostaqbal; new future) offers an avenue for countries looking to diversify. Plans for the $500 billion techutopia mega-city, spanning three countries and amounting to four times the size of New York, were announced last year.

Described as the world’s most ambitious project, Neom is designed to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependency on oil and gas, create jobs and boost economic growth.

“The idea behind it is when you look at that geographic space it is to be able to facilitate anything that can be imagined—whether it be tourism, research facilities or in manufacturing—it will be available.

“T&T can learn a lot from their diversification strategy because of the similarities we face,” Khan said.

T&T is also in dire need of increased foreign direct investment, he said, and the forum will bring together stakeholders in business and investment from both countries to look at opportunities in the industrial, commercial and services sectors.

The 2017 Energy Report on T&T stated that important strategic decisions needed to be made across the entire energy value chain, ranging from incentivising upstream production to improving refinery profitability in the mid-stream, and boosting liquefied natural gas (LNG) and petrochemical capacity utilisation downstream.

Khan said the “idea was not to hate on the downstream industry.”

“It is to utilise your strengths and use it to create varied competencies. For example, we have a lot of natural gas reserves, so when this is converted into liquefied natural gas and you export it you are basically monetising that resource alone.

“But if you look at taking the resource and using it locally to connect it to the manufacturing sector, it requires substantial investment because it is not just about extracting. We are saying that if T&T is in such a strategic location and has strategic access to large markets and competitive access to these markets then T&T must communicate that to those who are most competent in the downstream energy sector,” he said.

“But we have the natural resource to convert. The natural resource to convert and the expertise and finance from across there (Saudi Arabia) is exactly what we need to move forward.”

Khan said many of the expected attendees are in the manufacturing industry and some export 70 per cent of their output.

“At that forum we will be looking at penetrating that market. We have world class brands but we saw there was a gap between connecting our exportable goods with the Saudi market and the other way around because it is an opportunity for both countries,” he said.

At the forum there will also be sharing of insights on future developmental plans and investments in Saudi Arabia, communicating the TSCC’s five-year achievements and the 2018-2022 work plan, widening the Chamber’s network and expanding membership, recognising members who have excelled and the marketing and promotion of its services.

The Chamber maintains an extensive network of relationships with top tier companies and high net-worth individuals in both countries. Members have special access to lucrative under-explored markets by working through the TSCC.

“The Chamber is equipped with in-depth knowledge of the business cultures of both countries, which is essential to facilitate the advancement of commercial interests across borders,” Khan said.

The visiting delegation will comprise some 20 persons with global business interests. They include:

• WILLIAM MOBAYED—Business Development Manager, Bond Communications, which specialises in state of the art innovative and integrated IT & Technology Solutions with projects such as Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Airport, Atlantis Dubai, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Ferrari World Theme Park

• DR HAMID HARASANI—published author and founding partner of Harasani & Alkhamees Law Firm who acts for corporations and high net worth individuals and represents international companies looking to invest or set up a branch in Saudi Arabia

• DR FAISAL ATBANI—Director, SEDCO Capital, a global asset management firm that offers attractive investment opportunities across global markets including those offered through an international Luxembourg platform.

As a precursor, the TSCC is hosting a Leadership Forum on Tuesday, also at the Hyatt.

It entails a meeting of the leaders of member companies and high-profile Saudi business leaders to discuss current and future plans of the TSCC. Focus will be on building internal partnerships and strategic planning.

Khan said The Leadership Forum will be designed in a roundtable format, with presentations on certain core industries which the TSCC plans to tap into for future opportunities.

Tired of your analog being analogous to every other clock on the market? Sick of those stacks of records just lying around the house?

Well, Natthoya Baptiste has been transforming those outdated relics into treasured items for the past two years, giving new meaning to the term re-purposing with a process that saves the environment.

Baptiste, who is in the field of higher tertiary education and is an interior decorator in her spare time, stumbled upon the idea when a client asked a unique design for his studio.

“I was extremely excited as this project was the first of its kind for me. The client gave me full creative licence so I decided to use a vinyl record motif for the studio, which also included a record clock for the reception area.

“The response from his clients blew me out of the water. It proved to be quite a conversation piece,” she said.

From there, MesmerEyez Limited was born, a business manufacturing and selling unique customised clocks featuring sports teams, music artistes, movie characters and inspirational sayings.

Baptiste started the company in partnership with her husband who she describes as a “tremendous champion” who has always stood by her side offering support and guidance.

“He handles all aspects of operations, while I am usually the one to come up with many of the concepts, marketing and public relations,” she explained.

As they both work full time, MesmerEyez Limited is a part-time, hectic venture which they regard as a “labour of love.”

“Our major challenge is time. We both have hectic jobs, so most of our work is done after hours and on weekends. We have lots of long days and late nights.

“To be honest though, while juggling work, business and life in general can be challenging, we are truly passionate about what we do, so it is a great joy. We try to keep things light and fun and are just thankful that we get the opportunity to build our business together, while providing products that our customers treasure,” Baptiste said.

Vinyl records contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic comprising carbon, hydrogen and chlorine which are all harmful to the environment. MesmerEyez Limited has found a way to upcycle these items which otherwise end up in landfills and can contaminate groundwater. If incinerated, they release carcinogens into the atmosphere.

“In essence we are encouraging our clientele to reduce their carbon footprints and engage in green living,” Baptiste said.

Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. To make the products more accessible, the company has partnered with several key local retailers and new partners are constantly being added.

The company also promotes patriotism and launched a National Pride line during the recent Carnival season.

“This line showcases idiosyncratic features of our culture such as Trini sayings, national instruments, national icons and Carnival,” Baptiste explained.

She said the range has attracted great interest from locals, tourists and T&T nationals living abroad.

A firm believer in the buy local concept, Baptiste wants to play a part in reinvigorating T&T’s economy, especially at a time of foreign exchange shortages and job losses. She is convinced that platforms such as craft markets are key in keeping local talent alive.

“Most people are truly amazed that we have been able to re-purpose vinyl records so innovatively and are excited to revel in the nostalgia that comes from owning a piece of musical history. Our products are also something of a curiosity for the younger generation,” she said.

“It’s always funny when parents stop by our booth with their kids. It turns into an instant history lesson. ‘This is what we used to listen to music on long time you know’, parents would often say as the children stare wide-eyed.”

Baptiste is not worried about demand outweighing supply of her unique products, as Mesmereyez Limited “has a secret stash.”

As a relatively new female entrepreneur, she describes herself as “ultra-resilient.”

“That doesn’t mean that it has been all hilltop experiences but rather that I make a conscious effort to eat the meat and throw away the bones. I constantly push the limits and always find a way even when defeat seems inevitable.

“It is my sincere belief that once you are passionate about what you do, it shines through and is communicated through your product or service,” Baptiste said.

She advises prospective entrepreneurs to carry out substantial market research before launching into business.

“Determine the demand for your product, how many other providers exist and count your costs. Once you have launched, believe in your product and work at it religiously. You literally get what you put in,” she said.

Baptiste said it is also important to tap into networks and connect with other entrepreneurs who can offer advice along the way.

She added: “These interactions are quite valuable as such relationships strengthen the ecosystem of small business owners. There will be good days and bad days but use the negative breaks as stepping stones. Criticism is not necessarily a bad thing. Be open and teachable enough to receive constructive reviews.”

While she admits it was a challenge getting into business in a challenging economic climate, Baptiste firmly believes a “recession is a terrible thing to waste.”

She explained: “It presents the perfect opportunity for everyone to dig deep and become more innovative, particularly small business owners. In fact, it has been said that it is often the small businesses that keep economies afloat during economic downturns.”

How are the clocks made?

Once information is gathered from the client the graphic designer creates the artwork. Mesmereyez Limited then prepares and converts the records, outfitting it with the clock parts, selected pattern and its unique trade mark. After quality checks are done, the clock is boxed and delivered to the client.

The clocks are fully customised, so clients have the option of selecting the artwork and the colour of the hands. There is also the choice of fonts used in the numbering, for instance Roman numerals as opposed to Arabic numbers.

Youth Business T&T (YBTT), an accredited member of Youth Business International (YBI), is an international network of youth business programmes that helps young people to work for themselves by providing access to loans, entrepreneurial training and business mentorship.

YBTT is incorporated as a non-profit company and registered as a charitable body in accordance with the Corporation Tax Act of T&T.

Its mandate is to play a leadership role in building, releasing and sustaining the entrepreneurial spirit in economically disadvantaged young people between the ages of 18 and 35 by increasing opportunities for them to start and grow strong, sustainable businesses through providing finance in the form of loans up to $30,000, mentorship, training and networking opportunities.

Now in its 14th year of operation, YBTT has built solid partnerships with donor organisations. United Way T&T, Massy Foundation, JB Fernandes Memorial Trust I and Republic Bank Ltd continue to support its work annually. Over the years the group of donors has expanded to include international agencies such as the Inter American Development bank, public sector agencies such as the Ministry of National Security and international partners British Gas T&T and USAID.

Entrepreneurs considering non-traditional and new enterprises can get the following support from YBTT:

• Funding loans of up to $30,000 for start-ups and existing businesses at a rate of nine per cent on the reducing balance and without the use of collateral.

• Entrepreneurial training programmes in life skills, personal financial planning and business plan development.

GETTING STARTED

Q: What documents do I need to present to YBTT?

A: At the enquiry stage, young entrepreneurs will be advised on the documents needed to continue the application process. However, they must present a valid T&T identification card or passport. Each young entrepreneur should complete a business plan and return it to YBTT’s offices as soon as possible, along with the requisite supporting documentation. Clients are advised that statutory requirements—county medical and health approval, etc—must be fulfilled before disbursement.

How do I repay my loan, and what is the maximum repayment period?

Loan repayment is on a monthly basis and the specific repayment amount depends on the loan size. A maximum repayment period of 48 months can be obtained and a moratorium period of up to six months can be applied.

Can partnerships access funding?

Partnerships can be funded, but are limited to two persons. Both parties must meet YBTT’s lending criteria at the enquiry stage.

Can persons with an existing business access funding from YBTT?

Persons with existing projects can be funded, but these businesses must be less than three years old and must lead to an increase in employment.

Hyatt Regency Trinidad, began 2018 with a fresh, new design. Known for its excellent service and ideal waterfront location, the hotel is recognized for being the “place to be and stay” when visiting T&T, whether for business, participating in a conference, experiencing Trinidad Carnival or taking a vacation. For the month of March, the hotel is providing guests with unique experiences to commemorate its ten years of service.

To celebrate, the hotel is providing special entertainment, amenities and specials. The sound of steel pans will be playing during peak hours and guests will be welcomed with a specialty drink upon arrival. Guests will be able to take advantage of Waterfront Restaurant’s deals for its Sunday Brunch and lattes and desserts at Cinnamon Café. Spa Esencia is also celebrating with a promotion of two spa treatments with a 25 percent discount on the second treatment in appreciation of its customers’ support.

Since its opening in January 2008, Hyatt Trinidad has revitalized the Port of Spain waterfront area, spurring additional business and employment opportunities for the community. The hotel provides more than 400 jobs and consistently supports local charities and small businesses with initiatives such as year round charity events, fundraisers, and drives.

From planting trees, donating blood and refurbishing centres for children, the hotel’s employees find that giving back to the community is an important part of the hotel’s culture. It is the benevolent nature of the dedicated staff that shines through in the day-to-day service provided to guests.

Hyatt Trinidad has hosted thousands of events throughout the years from conventions and meetings to weddings and celebrations. Notable conferences such as the Fifth Summit of the Americas with 36 Heads of States and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting with 53 Heads of the Commonwealth proved in 2009 that the hotel had the capability to execute large-scale conferences seamlessly.

For the past eight years, the hotel has also hosted large scale events such as Hyatt LIME, the T&T Energy Conference with more than 1,400 visitors in attendance, as well as food festivals depicting the cuisine and culture of Latin American countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.

Recently, the hotel was recognized for its extensive community service with CHTA’s Social Responsibility award in 2017

UWI St Augustine campus principal Prof Brian Copeland is proposing development of a multi-sectoral alliance to address the country’s food production challenges.

Speaking at the launch of the campus’s TechAgrI Expo, the UWI head called on investors, state agencies, regional and international institutions, farmers and academia to join in developing the food and agriculture sector.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the economy,” he said. “In such times as these, where foreign exchange is exceedingly scarce, it is imperative that our focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation is sharpened.”

Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Dr Wayne Ganpat had earlier warned that with an annual food import bill of between $6 and $7 billion and a decline in national income, it was urgent and important for the sector to grow at a more rapid rate.

He pointed to new initiatives by the university to promote greater knowledge of economic opportunity in the food and agriculture sector through new certificate courses that reach more people interested in such formal exposure.

Prof Copeland, meanwhile, pointed to the fact that the current foreign currency crunch, while “proving a challenge to business and individuals alike,” also presented openings for new activities.

“Out of evil can indeed come good,” he argued. “For farmers, entrepreneurs and financiers alike, there is opportunity to be had in the current scenario.

“We just have to ‘go brave’ as they say, seize the moment, and take that leap of faith in ourselves and our abilities.”

Copeland said UWI had created a platform for joint action and collaboration to face the issue of feeding the nation.

“We invite you to engage,” he said.

Dr Ganpat said many food entrepreneurs needed a one-stop shop to assist with a variety of specialist services and to improve on the financial viability of their enterprises.

“Who would help them affix that ‘proudly made in Trinidad and Tobago’ label on their product?”

Over 3,500 students pre-registered to attend the four-day Expo under the theme Food & Nutrition Security, Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation.

Under the spotlight were agro-industry technologies, crop and livestock production exhibits and a collection of products made by food entrepreneurs.

Other attractions at the expo included innovations by young agri-entrepreneurs, mini workshops, a local food village, a mini zoo, a children’s park and tours.

Depression is a common emotional problem which our teachers are grappling to deal with, says secretary of the Association of Psychiatrists Dr Varma Deyalsingh.

And according to Deyalsingh, “Women present with depression twice as much as men but more men succeed in killing themselves.”

In recent decades depression has become increasingly common in industrialized countries such as the US and the UK, and is often referred to by physicians as ‘the common cold of psychiatry’. Some 800,000 people commit suicide globally every year. In T&T, around 1,200 people are being admitted to our main hospitals in for attempted suicide each year, Deyalsingh said.

According to Deyalsingh, teachers have a very important role in shaping society. “A teacher is there with a child eight hours a day and you have to realize the important role you play. Your mental well-being could create a nation of well rounded children; you not only help children academically, but socially and emotionally.

“The stress you have as a teacher is not just what happens in school, but what happens in your homes can affect you in school. The emotional baggage which you bring can affect your work performance. So let’s look at some home factors that can affect your mental state. If a teacher is a single parent having to take care of two children, drop them to school, organize them at home, see sick parents, handling the finances, facing horrendous traffic, this can overwhelm him or her.

“Family and financial issues are a major cause of stress. A second issue is relationship issues eg, the boyfriend/husband problems, getting a divorce etc. Also, family issues like sibling problems, fighting over family assets, and attention for parents or neglect of parents.”

Deyalsingh called on citizens to look out for each other.

He said one must observe changes in behaviour and dress in our colleagues. The withdrawn person looking sad, changes in appetite, changes in work performance—all these are signs of depression. But depression has many faces—you may eat more or eat less, you may sleep more or sleep less, but if one loses interest in activities they once enjoyed and has this depressed mood for more than two weeks, one has to consider the diagnosis of depression. One must also be aware that depression presents differently in males. A male may go and drink, be irritated, and pick fights.

He also appealed to teachers to seek help.

“Society needs emotionally healthy teachers to give us emotional healthy children who would in turn give us an emotional healthy nation...To save society we must realize the teacher and the social worker play a more important role than the doctor, lawyer, and the politician. To save our nation we need more dedicated teachers, so I beg each of you to seek help if you need it.”

THINGS TO DO WHEN DEPRESSED

•Engage in an enjoyable activity like going to a game or attending a social gathering, even if you don’t initially feel like it.
•Avoid spending long periods of time alone.
•Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
•Take care of yourself. Pamper yourself.
•Break tasks up into small chunks spread out over time to make them more achievable.
•Spend time with friends or family. Talk to a trusted person about what you’re going through.
•Postpone important decisions until you’re feeling better. If you have to make an important decision, discuss it with others because feeling depressed can cloud your judgment.
•Get professional help when needed.

In any relationship, whether long or short term, one best way to cultivate the relationship is through communication. A relationship is like a plant. In the budding stage, you have to give plenty of attention until it gets to a stage where the roots have anchored themselves into the soil. Then one’s attention turns to making sure the plant keeps healthy and is watered and the branches trimmed. The difference between the plant and the human relationship is that for long-term relationships to last, each partner has to keep the attention and spark of the earlier times going.

Date night is one of the activities that will keep the spark going in a relationship when there are children. Just the two of you going out on a date, whether it is dinner or a movie or a show. My philosophy in life is that Christmas, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day should be celebrated every day in a household. By celebrating these special occasions every day it helps in keeping the communication energy flowing.

We have to constantly keep reminding ourselves that despite our busy and demanding lives, we have to make a great effort to do something nice for our partner. The phrase–Life gets in the way–is becoming an excuse and should not be acceptable to us any longer. We need to avoid regret and the blame game which can be quite intriguing and painful.

Relationships should be seen as a partnership and not one person doing everything. If a partner is retired and the other working, then the partner who is retired should organize meals, look after the kids, and put away the laundry while watching cricket or football matches. The working partner could do the laundry, tidy up, ensure that the bills get paid as most utilities can be paid online, and do the groceries.

Someone comes every other week to do the heavy cleaning. At least this is how it is in my household.

Spending time with the kids doing activities eg, taking them to the grocery. Get them into the habit of buying food for the house. Dealing with the cashier, packing and unpacking of the groceries. Take time with the kids and their homework, there is an online Maths course for kids which has been developed by Kyle Andrews from Tobago so that a parent can learn with their kids doing the course. There are lots of other websites that teach different subjects so this is a great way for parents to learn with their kids.

Another activity that will be a strong bond for couples and family is starting a vegetable garden so that you teach your kids how to feed themselves. This fosters great communication and opportunity to connect/ground with the earth.

These activities are natural and rewarding and helps to sustain great relationships.

Sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye and quarter-miler Jereem Richards led the almost total domination by athletics in the First Citizens Sports Foundation Sports Awards at Queen's Hall in Port-of-Spain on Saturday night.

Track and field athletes also picked up the junior and team awards and its association, National Association of Athletic Administrations of T&T (NAAATT), was named the best administration.

Neither Ahye, or Richards were present to collect their awards but the beaming faces of their representatives, who collected on their behalf, said it all, that they were honoured to share in the moment.

It is the second straight year that Ahye has been bestowed the "Sportswoman of the Year" award and again her mother Rachael accepted the dazzling and clearly weighty trophy from the Foundation’s Chairman Dr Keith Clifford.

"Michelle has guts. She doesn't give up, she keeps trying," said her mother. "If she doesn't win this year, she works and comes back harder next year. I love my daughter."

Ahye set a new national women’s 100m record of 10.82 during the National Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain and finished sixth over the same distance at the IAAF World Championships in London, England.

The "Sportsman of the Year" trophy was presented to Richards' sister Brittney by acting Minister of Sports Nyan Gadsby Dolly, the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.

She said, "I admire Jereem's dedication, his focus and his discipline. It's like a dream, like I know he is called in the sporting world. To see someone work so hard for something they love, its inspiring."

Richards had an amazing season last year, as he was part of the victorious men’s 4x400 metre relay team who copped gold at the said World event. Also at the Championships, Richards bagged bronze in the men’s 200m final. All of which was highlighted on the huge screen in the background of the gorgeously designed stage.

It is third consecutive year that the NAAATT has swept the main awards at the vibrant annual function which featured entertainment from rapso group 3Canal and its dancers dressed in black and white.

Shot-putter Ianna Roach and sprinter Adell Coltrust copped the junior versions of the awards in the revamped function themed "Building Bridges" which both Dr Clifford and Karen Darbasie First Citizens chief executive officer, referred to in their addresses as part of the Foundations' evolution.

"I wouldn't change anything. Everything happens for a reason. It has brought me to this point,," said Carifta-bound Roach, who was presented her award by First Citizens chairman Anthony Smart.

Coltrust, received his from Darbasie and he felt confident that he would win the top prize saying : "I am not surprised. It took a lot of dedication to be here and hard work so I am not surprised." His response evoked laughter and applause from the audience, who were brilliantly dressed as all awardees and their representatives.

One of whom was Kabir Hosein, the chief administrative officer at the NAAATT, who accepted the Lystra D Lewis award from Sherril Peters, the former national netball captain of the 1979 World Championship netball squad, for the 4x400m relay team of Richards, Jarrin Solomon, Lalonde Gordon, Machel Cedenio and Renny Quow, The honour is presented to an individual, team or group whose performance has impacted significantly on the national sport landscape and that they did when creating history at World Championships as mentioned above.

So it was not much of a surprise when the NAAATT was announced the winner of Jeffrey Stollmeyer award for its outstanding showcase of initiatives and for making significant improvements in its administration, towards the development of its athletes.

Stollmeyer's son Allan presented the trophy to NAAATT president Ephraim Serrette for being the leading large national governing sports body after handing over the small version of the prize to T&T Target Archery Federation.

Hasely Crawford, T&T's first Olympic gold medallist, was also on hand to give out awards at the 56th edition of the event and he made the presentations to the top 10 senior awardees and Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Secretary of Sport and Youth Affairs, Jomo Pitt, gave out to the juniors.

Former field athlete Candice Scott had the honour to present to the outstanding Special Olympians from various fields of sports.

The large gathering were also treated to the WOW moments of the year displayed on the screen including the performances of the 4x400m Richards 200m win, Akeem Stewart gold medal throw, Kevon Cooper in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the 4x400m team's top finish in the Under-20 final at Carifta Games, the women's volleyball team sealing a spot in the World Cup and of course Alvin Jones' beauty of a goal to help T&T knock USA out of the FIFA World Cup.

2017 Honour roll

Senior

Sportsman of the Year: Jereem Richards (athletics)

Jereem Richards (athletics), Nigel Paul (boxing), Quincy Alexander (cycling), Akeem Stewart (Paralympics), Dylan Carter (swimming),

Sportswoman of the Year: Michelle Lee Ahye (athletics)

Michelle Lee Ahye (athletics), Nyoshia Cain (Paralympics), Amira Pilgrim (swimming), Megan Lawrence (taekwondo), Merissa Aguillera (cricket).

Junior

Sportsman of the Year: Adell Coltrust (athletics)

Adell Coltrust (athletics), Jereon Thompson (swimming), Xavier Jones (judo), Nickell Joseph (boxing), Joshua Johnson (chess)

Sportswoman of the Year: Ianna Roach (athletics)

Ianna Roach (athletics), Gabriella Donahue (swimming), Gabriella Johnson (chess), Rachel Grosberg (triathlon), Yeji Lee (golf).

Lystra D Lewis award: 4x400m relay team

Jeffrey Stollmeyer Memorial award: NAAATT

Special Olympics awardees

Gary Boodoo (bocce), Tamika Campbell (football), Nikoli Lalla (swimming), Sean Gibson (floor hockey), Shania Surujbelly (swimming).

T&T 's Under-15 cricket team currently preparing for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional U-15 tournament, got a stern test from the Secondary Schools U-17 team and went under by the narrow margin of one wicket at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain on Saturday.

With the boys flying out to Jamaica today, they had their final warm-up game and batted first scoring 190 all out after a good start and then they fought hard to get nine wickets, but the Secondary Schools team prevailed in the end in the presence their president Surujdath Mahabir.

Batting first national openers Justin Jaggessar and Andrew Rambaran looked very comfortable in an opening partnership of 46 runs. Rambaran was the aggressor of the two and fell for 25. Jaggessar then forged the biggest partnership of the innings with wicketkeeper/batsman Kyle Kissoondath as the pair added another 60 runs for the second wicket. Jaggessar favoured the lofted drives down the ground and counted 43 before he left. His innings was spiced with six fours.

The diminutive Kissoondath played very well and kept the bowlers at bay. He was good on defence and quick to attack anything off line or length. When he fell wickets started to tumble and the national team could muster only 190. Kissoondath made 62 with 10 fours. The best of the bowlers for the Secondary Schools was spinner Amrit Dass who grabbed four wickets for 13 runs, while Aidan Samaroo took two for.

In response, the Secondary Schools started its reply in trouble with T&T U-15 pacer Liam Mamchan getting the customary early breakthrough with the third ball of the innings. Left-arm spinner Ronillstar Perreira who opened the bowling with Mamchan then got two wickets soon after as the opposition slipped to 27 for three.

However, the burly Isaiah Gomez came in and changed the course of the match. The right-hander struck the ball cleanly and took the game away with a brutal 54 that included four fours and two sixes. When he left Chadeon Raymond scored 42 not out with a six and two fours. Perreira ended with two for 32, while left-arm unorthodox spinner Nic Ramlal took two for 22.

SCORES

TT U-15 190 all out (42) (Kyle Kissoondath 62, Justin Jaggessar 43, Andrew Rambaran 25, Amrit Dass 4/13, A Samaroo 2/14) vs Secondary Schools U-17 191/9 (47.3) (Isaiah Gomez 54, Chadeon Raymond 42no, M Gittens 26, Ronnilstar Perreira 2/32, Nic Ramlal 2/22) - Secondary Schools won by 1 wkt.

The Pepsi Hornets are the inaugural champions of the Hairoun Beer Seven’s rugby championships that concluded on Saturday at the Track and Field ground in the National Park, Guyana.

The Hornets shut out T&T’s top side, Harvard Rugby Club, in the final of the tournament with a 10-0 win in the ground out effort by both teams.

Both sides started aggressively and did not shy away from the physicality that comes with the sport.

However, while Harvard made a few moves, the team seemingly lacked some pace against the Hornets, which were not just faster but also played extremely physical, especially out of the scrum.

Harvard’s captain, Shaquille Dyte also shared his thoughts on the loss, “It was definitely a top tournament, the level we did not expect but we had a few critical mistakes that had us on the back foot and we were on the defensive end of the ball most times which contributed to the loss.”

He added, “We have our own tournament in Trinidad and hopefully we can get some Guyanese clubs to come down there so we can continue this back and forth.

Second Vice-President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Rawle Toney, while sharing his thoughts on the tournament, revealed the next big event for the union.

“I think it’s clear that the guys have been working outside of the season and their fitness level have improved; we were definitely impressed with the level of the tournament and I must say we still have a lot of rugby to be played especially at the international level with the CAC Games and the RAN’s Sevens still to be contested.”

“We will also be doing another tournament this year for the Carnival season that will also bring in clubs from around the region so that will be the next big event for rugby.”

Meanwhile, the Hornets received $200,000 cash, which is the most lucrative first prize in the Union’s history.

Harvard received $100,000 (TT$3,200) for the second place effort, while Hornet’s Abdullah Silverton was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.