The emergency fund is a bust.
Millions of people don’t have one, and some of those who do resist tapping what they’ve saved. I’d like to propose an alternative for both sets of people: The “oh, crap!” fund, a savings account for not-quite-emergency expenses.

One of the reasons people don’t have emergency funds is misplaced optimism. People think that if they’re healthy, they’ll stay healthy. If they’re employed, ditto. The car will keep running, the roof will never need to be replaced and, since everybody’s a better-than-average driver, there won’t be any accidents. Behavioural scientists call that “recency bias,” which is the delusion that whatever happened in the recent past will continue into the indefinite future.

Everyone, though, has experienced “oh, crap!” moments: the no-parking sign they didn’t see, the crown the dentist says they need, the smartphone dropped in the toilet. A relatively small amount in such a fund can keep people from turning to expensive credit cards or payday loans.

“The power of just a few hundred dollars of savings can really help reduce the use of short-term, high-cost lending,” says John Thompson, chief programme officer for the Centre for Financial Services Innovation, a non-profit that promotes financial health.

Having a cushion is particularly important if you’re a homeowner. In a recent Harris Poll survey commissioned by NerdWallet, nearly two-thirds of homeowners say they’ve experienced anxiety about their home, with unexpected home repair costs the top cause of anxiety.

The “oh, crap!” fund is designed to be spent, not hoarded. Emergency funds are meant to be spent, too, but people are often reluctant to part with money labelled as savings, says financial literacy expert and Rutgers University professor Barbara O’Neill. “People hate to experience losses, (and) pulling money out of a savings account feels like a loss,” O’Neill says.

Many people also give up on the idea of an emergency fund because any money they manage to put aside is quickly wiped out by unexpected expenses. They don’t realise that the emergency fund did its job by keeping those expenses from going on a credit card, or that saving for unexpected expenses is a “rinse and repeat” deal. You don’t just hit a savings goal and you’re done. You save, you spend, and then you save again.

The “oh, crap!” fund can help people build that muscle. It can be viewed as a transactional account with constant additions and subtractions as life unfolds. The fund also can help people who already have savings they don’t want to touch except in big emergencies, such as a job loss.

The first “oh, crap!” goal can be pretty modest. For those new to saving, here’s how to get there.

1. Automate it, if you can
Those with regular paychecks and bank accounts can set up automatic transfers, so whatever amount you like gets swept into a savings account each pay period. Or you can use technology that automatically rounds up your purchases to the nearest dollar and deposits the money in savings.

2. If you can’t automate, make a rule
Put aside a set dollar amount or percentage from every check or other income you receive.

3. Don’t stop
Once you’re in the habit of saving, keep going. Your next goal can be the largest financial shock experienced by households. After that, you can shoot for the traditional emergency fund recommendation of building a fund equal to three months’ worth of expenses. Even as you do, though, you may still want to keep a separate fund for those everyday mishaps. Because crap happens.

Many of our commentators on the current fortunes of our economy concentrate on the proposed GDP growth or lack of it in this economic downturn.

They refer also to the comments by the IMF, Moody’s and S&P as to what to expect over the next one or two years and point to the S&P downgrade of our economic outlook from stable grade to negative due to the uncertainty in expected prices of oil and gas and their local production.

But our economy is simple, as both Lloyd Best and his colleague Kari Levitt tells us—it is today a plantation economy that depends exclusively on the fortunes of the energy sector, on the production of oil and gas, on their prices, what the petrochemical producers are receiving for their products and how well the LNG market is doing.

As a small open economy we cannot produce locally much of what we need to live comfortably and have to import some TT$80 billion per year of goods and services.

To do so we depend, as if it were our lifeblood, on the foreign exchange earned by the energy sector.

Since conditions in the world of energy and its products are volatile, the earnings from the energy sector depend little on what we do locally, except our encouragement to the foreign investor to explore, produce, export oil/gas and the processors to make petrochemicals and/or export LNG.

In simple language, the fundamental drivers of our export economy are outwith the direct control of our government and on-shore businesses.

The economy that affects us all directly, the one that is the subject of the budget, of the myriad economic commentators, is really one that is buffeted by the storms in the global economy, particularly in global energy.

Hence, what our stakeholders do with respect to taxation, debt, drawdown of reserves, building highways, making the Ex-Im bank into a trader of foreign exchange to support the really insignificant on-shore exporters, is an attempt to make the on-shore living as tolerable as possible hoping that the storm passes with as little damage as possible.

Little can be done in the short term to turn around the economy, to restructure it despite on-shore taxation.

For example, when the S&P revises its outlook on T&T to negative from stable, in their view there is a one in three chance that they could even lower the ratings over the next 12-24 months because there is uncertainty about whether the expected moderately higher energy prices and higher production levels can lead to a mild economic recovery and smaller current account deficit over the period.

However, it has been confirmed that lower figures were given in error to S&P on future gas production, which really has no effect on the impending storm of global prices.

Further S&P thinks that there is uncertainty about whether these improvements will be sufficient to mitigate the imbalances- such as exchange rate pressure, restrictions on accessing foreign exchange, historical gas supply shortages leading to faster depreciation of the country’s external assets or a weakening of monetary policy.

What S&P is saying is that none of us knows for a fact what the global situation will bring, none of us knows what oil and gas will be found and the little improvement in prices and production may be insufficient to make any real difference.

Certainly there is little we can do except try to reduce on-shore demand in the country (by taxation, devaluation etc), borrow as much as we can afford and drawdown our resources so as to make life as tolerable as possible, try to contain unemployment, as we await what the storm continues to throw at us.

The comments of our economists etc are just reports on the effects of the storm as we try to mitigate its effects and possibly in their view what we can do to better weather its passage.

Surely we can increase taxation, increase import tariffs, reduce government spending even more, devalue the currency with the attendant harsh economic impact.—none of these turns around the economy.

MARY K KING
St Augustine
 

PARAMARIBO, Suriname—Data privacy will be among the items topping the agenda at an upcoming Caribbean Internet Governance Forum to be held by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) in Suriname this month.

The meeting is part of an effort by several Caribbean countries to establish and strengthen policies to ensure that Internet users’ personal information is collected, shared and used in appropriate ways.

It will take place from May 21 to 23, days before the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into force in the European Union on May 25. The GDPR is a regulation on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. But Caribbean stakeholders are already preparing for the fallout across the region’s geopolitical space.

“Although the GDPR comes into effect in Europe, its effect will be felt in the Caribbean, because the region includes Dutch, French and British territories, all of which fall under the EU jurisdiction, and will therefore have to comply with the GDPR from as early as May 25, 2018,” said Nigel Cassimire, telecommunications specialist at the CTU.

Because the GDPR has significant penalties for companies found in violation of its data privacy regulations, the law could adversely affect Caribbean companies doing business with European companies.

“The onus is on European companies doing business with anyone in our region to ensure that whoever they do business with have measures in place that will enable them to remain compliant with the GDPR. For the Caribbean, it is urgent for us to understand what requirements will be placed on us,” Cassimire said.

The forum will be held in Suriname, a former colony of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which became an independent nation in 1975. The agenda will include a range of issues, including service resiliency and network neutrality.

The Caribbean Internet Governance Forum is a multi-stakeholder meeting initiated by the CTU and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat to co-ordinate a regional approach to Internet Governance. Since its inception in 2005, the forum has met annually and has focused on the formulation of a regional framework for Caribbean Internet governance policy, the proliferation of Internet exchange points, and the growth of Caribbean influence in the global Internet governance arena.

The forum is part of a series of ongoing policy development discussions across the region. Policymakers met in Miami on April 19 to discuss Internet governance issues at a special Caribbean Forum hosted by the CTU and the American Registry for Internet Numbers.

The Melbourne Vixens led by Malawi’s Mwai Kumwenda had to dig deep to claim a 63-61 win over T&T goal-Shoot, Samantha Wallace and her New South Wales Swifts team in Round Two of the Suncorp Super Netball League at Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia, yesterday.

The home side had to overcome a six-point deficit and an injury scare to key player Jo Weston to seal the win, and it was only in the shadows of fulltime that the Vixens were finally able to push themselves past a gallant Swifts outfit after both teams were locked at 57-57 with under five minutes to play.

Wallace was very impressive with a perfect ten in the final period to end with 37 goals from 38 attempts and 97 percent shooting average, while England’s Helen Housby chipped in with four from four in the final quarter to tally 24 from 25 on the night for Swifts, now 1-1 after two matches.

In the other Round Two match-ups, West Coast Fever roasted Collingwood Magpies 68-57; Queensland Firebirds beat Sunshine Coast Lightning 55-52 and Giants Netball trampled winless Adelaide Thunderbirds 71-48.

With a new points system being introduced this season and a team earning a bonus point for winning each quarter, Fever heads the table with 15 points, followed by Giants (14), Vixens (12), Firebirds (8) and Swifts with seven in the fifth spot.

When Third Round matches begin on Saturday, Swifts will be at home to Giants at Qudos Bank Arena; Vixens host Firebirds; Lightning entertain Fever and Magpies battle Thunderbirds.

Technical Directors from 11 member associations including T&T will participate in a course designed specifically by the FIFA, to educate technical directors around the world, and thereby assist the development of the sport.

The course, schedule to take place at the Home of Football, Ato Boldon Stadium in Balmain, Couva from today and runs until Friday, will see the involvement of a four-member team from FIFA, including Head of Technical Development Services for FIFA Jürg Nepfer, Roberto Perna, Group Leader Education and FIFA Technical consultants Rodrigo Kenton, Lenny Lake and Willi Ruttensteiner. CONCACAF Director of Development Jason Roberts will also be present.

Anton Corneal, the T&T Football Association’s Director of Football, has also been listed as a FIFA TD and expert, to contribute towards the overall development of the sport. The participating member associations will include T&T, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Suriname, US Virgin Islands and the United States.

T&T will be represented by Dennis Lawrence, the Senior Men’s National coach, Men’s Under -17 and 20 coach Russell Latapy and Women’s coach Desiree Sergeant.

FIFA, through its Chief Technical Development Officer, former Dutch forward, Marco van Basten said “FIFA started in 2016 with a programme for the education of Technical Directors in member associations. An evaluation has shown that there was quite a turnover in this position since then and we, therefore, decided to offer this course to new Technical Directors or those who were not in a position to attend the first edition in 2016. The purpose of the course is to provide an opportunity to Technical Directors to gain additional knowledge in important subjects, which are essential for their daily business. The course will also serve as a platform for experience sharing among Technical Directors, the confederation and FIFA.”

Among the topics will be the roles and responsibilities of a technical director, report on training analysis, reporting of match training analysis and coach education analysis among other items. There are practical and theoretical sessions foreseen. Importance will be given to the practical sessions on days one to three, which are: the organization of a youth match; the visit of the training of one of these two teams; and a session on coaching education as part of your coaching education system.

It was all Jabari Whiteman for a second time in two days at the National Cycling Track Championship at the National Cycling Centre (NCC) in Couva, showing little mercy for his competitors.

The PSL rider picked up from where he left off on Friday by winning all the events he contested on Day Three and Four of the meet, claiming gold medals in the Omnium and prestigious match sprint events on Saturday, as well as the Individual Pursuit and One-kilometre Time Trial contest yesterday.

Following on his triumph in the Points Race the day before, Whiteman was an outright winner in the Omnium event among the juniors, finishing ahead of his closest rival Enrique De Comarmond of Heatwave, third Darius Beckles of Open Road and fourth Maurice Burnette of Phoenix.

The young rider who represented T&T at the Junior Pan American Championships in 2016, later showed his class by securing the fastest time in the flying 200 metre sprint behind a time of 10.69 seconds to qualify for the final of the match sprint later that day.

In the final, he beat Aaron Alleyne of Phoenix for the gold, while Michael Ackee of Southclaine was third. But Whiteman was anything but finished with his dominance on the tracks, as he turned his attention to his pet endurance events by claiming silverware in the individual pursuit ahead of De Comarmond, Beckles and Burnette for a second time, before reigning supreme in the gruelling One-kilometre grind.

De Comarmond finished closely behind for the runner-up spot, as he did so many times before in the championship, while Alleyne took third ahead of Beckles.

Results 

SPRINT JUVENILE WOMEN: 1- Makayla
Hernandez Madonna 14.658. Sprint Junior
Women: 1- Shania Baptiste (Open Road) 14.689.
Sprint Juvenile Men: 1- D’Angelo Harris (Rigtech
Sonics) 11.863, 2- Joshua Rawlins (Breakaway)
12.299, 3- Alano Acevero (Rigtech Sonics) 12.404,
4- Ryan D’Abreau (Arima Wheelers) 12.521, 5- Travis
Beharry (Breakaway) 13.567.
SPRINT JUNIOR MEN: 1- Jabari Whiteman
(PSL) 10.69, 2- Aaron Alleyne (Pheonix) 11.375,
3- Justin Baptiste (Breakaway) 11.406, 4- Michael
Ackee (Southclaine) 11.524. Omnium Junior
Men: 1- Jabari Whiteman (PSL) 183, 2- Enrique
De Comarmond (Heatwave) 162, 3- Darius Beckles
(Open Road) 125, 4- Maurice Burnette (Pheonix) 73.
JUVENILE MATCH SPRINT: 1- Joshua Rawlins
(Southclaine), 2-D’Angelo Harris (Rigtech Sonics), 3-
Ryan D’Abreau (Arima Wheelers), 4- Alano Acevero
(Rigtech Sonics).
JUNIORS MATCH SPRINT FINAL: 1- Jabari
Whiteman (PSL), 2- Aaron Alleyne (Pheonix), 3-
Michael Ackee (Southclaine).
JUVENILE WOMEN INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT:
1- Makayla Hernandez (Madonna) 3.15.442. Juvenile
Men
INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT: 1- Tariq Woods (Team
Woods) 2.36.31, 2- D’Angelo Harris (Rigtech Sonics)
2.39.913, 3- Joshua Rawlins (Southclaine) 2.39.95,
4- Mickel Lopez (Rigtech Sonics) 3.14.517.
JUNIOR MEN INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT: 1- Jabari
Whiteman (PSL) 3.33.519, 2- Enrique De Comarmond
(Heatwave) 3.45.645, 3- Darius Beckles (Open Road)
3.54.646, 4- Maurice Burnette (Pheonix) 4.09.533.
Juvenile Women 500M: 1- Makayla Hernandez
(Madonna) 42.052. Junior Women 500M: 1-
Shania Baptiste (Phoenix) 41.178. Juvenile Men
500M Time Trial: 1- D’Angelo Harris Rigtech Sonics
35.765, 2- Joshua Rawlins (Southclaine) 36.395,
3- Ryan D’Abreau (Arima Wheelers) 36.628, 4- Alano
Acevero (Rigtech Sonics) 37.736. Junior Men 1
KM Time Trial: 1- Jabari Whiteman (PSL) 1.05.136,
2- Enrique De Comarmond (Heatwave) 1.10.85, 3-
Aaron Alleyne (Pheonix) 1.11.91, 4- Darius Beckles
(Open Road) 1.13.51.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT— NORCECA Vice President and CAZOVA President T&T’s Mushtaque Mohammed has been appointed as President of the FIVB Development Commission.

His designation was announced by President Graça on the last day of the FIVB Board of Administration meeting held in Sharm el Sheik, Egypt on May 3 and 4.

Mohammed, the former president of T&T Volleyball Federation, who has served as NORCECA Development Commission President since 2007 and FIVB Development Commission secretary since 2010 possess the knowledge and experience to lead the FIVB Development Commission.

“I am elated to serve the development of volleyball as I have been doing for most of my volleyball life” was Mushtaque initial response. “Development of volleyball and people are in my heart and doing what you love make your job easy.”

Mohammed, who has an International Masters in Sports Organization Management form the Univertsity of Poiter, France and an International Masters in Sports for Development from the University of T&T, will be able to meaningfully contribute to the Development Commission. Currently, FIVB has over 165 National Federation who are within the category I and II which are developing National Federation and it is important to focus initially on those organizations to improve their levels of performance both administratively and technically.

This will be the mandate for the FIVB Development Commission and to also fulfill the FIVB goals to grow the number of volleyball players and consumers in order to become the number one sport affiliating with humanitarian organizations.

Cristobal Marte Hoffiz, president of NORCECA Confederation said: “The designation of Mr. Mushtaque is a tribute to his hard work and dedication. I am sure he will do his utmost best to fulfill the challenge he is going to face as president of the Development Commission. We are very proud about the fact that a leader from NORCECA Confederation is receiving this kind of responsibility which also remind us the work he has done in our region and as secretary of the commission for the past eight years.”

According to the IOC (2007), “sexual harassment and abuse happen in all sports and all levels.

Prevalence appears to be higher in elite sport. Members of the athlete’s entourage who are in positions of power and authority appear to be the primary perpetrators.

Peer athletes have also been identified as perpetrators. Males are more often reported as perpetrators than females.”

A sporting culture that is rooted in winning at all costs ripens the environment for sexual harassment and abuse of athletes. Sexual harassment and abuse affect victims physically and psychologically.

Some athlete’s performance may decline which may result in dropping out of the sport. Additionally, others may suffer from anxiety, depression and substance abuse (IOC, 2007).

Many “famous” cases of sexual abuse have rocked the sporting world. In 2017, former USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar was jailed for 60 years for child pornography after being accused of sexual abuse by more than 100 girls. American swimming coach  Andy King was sentenced to 40 years after being accused of sexual abuse. Penn State University assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30-60 years after he was convicted in 2012 of 45 counts of abuse relating to 10 boys. Sporting organisations in T&T through the directive of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) should heed the call from UN Women in implementing several measures to prevent and address sexual harassment
and abuse:

• Develop policies and procedures for the prevention of sexual harassment and abuses;

• Prepare and implement codes of ethics and conduct for coaches, whether they work with adults or children;

• Monitor the implementation of these policies and procedures;

• Evaluate the impact of these policies in identifying and reducing sexual harassment and abuse;

• Provide training on how sexual harassment and sexual relationships can negatively influence coach-athlete relationships;

• Develop complaint procedures that ensure privacy;

• Protect legal rights of athletesand coaches, and protect against retaliation;

• Screen all applicants for the coaching staff and volunteer positions;

• Foster strong partnerships with parents/caregivers in the prevention of sexual harassment and abuse;

• Promote and support research on these issues;

• Foster a climate of open discussion about the issues of sexual harassment and abuse so that athletes with problems feel confident enough to speak out; and

• Develop athlete autonomy wherever possible including adopting coaching styles which give optimum autonomy and responsibility to athletes.

“I don’t feel it is necessary to know exactly what I am. The main interest in life and work is to become someone else that you were not in the beginning.”

—Michel Foucault

T&T senior national women’s team goal shoot, Kalifa Mc Collin and her benecos Mavericks maintained their hold on the second spot in the England Vitality Netball Super League following a 56-43 whipping of Surrey Storm at Surrey Sports Park, England on Saturday.

Mc Collin and her shooting partner, Karyn Bailey got Mavericks off to a good start and they took a three-goal lead into the end of the first quarter, 15-12 after which they upped their tempo in the second period to widen the gap to 30-22 at the half-time interval, thanks to a 15-10 second quarter display.

The third period belongs to the host Storm as they outscored Mavericks 14-13, however they still trailed 36-43 ahead of the start of the final period.

There was no coming back for Storm though as Mavericks finished off just as they started the contest, with a dominant quarter effort, 13-7 to emerge with a comfortable 13-goals triumph for an eight-win in ten matches, and 24 points, six behind unbeaten Wasps Netball (10-0).

Third is Loughborough Lightning (7-3) with 21 points after a 65-45 bashing of Team Northumbria (1-9) followed by Manchester Thunder (7-2) also with 21 points courtesy a 64-42 trampling of cellar-placed UWS Sirens (1-7) while Team Bath (6-3) and 18 points hammered Mc Collin’s former club, Celtic Dragons’ 66-39.

Last year, Mc Collin was on fire for the Celtic Dragons and ended the season as the league’s sixth-best scorer with 526 goals from 567 attempts at a league-best 92.8 shooting percentage which earned her the T&T Netball Association 2017 ‘Player of the Year and First Citizens Sports Foundation awards nominee.

Mc Collin and her team-mates is a meeting with Severn Stars on Saturday before a key match-up with table-topper Wasps on May 18.

San Juan Jabloteh has fallen short of achieving a record-extending fourth clean sweep of the Flow Youth Pro League titles this season after the club finished as champions of the Under-14 and 16 divisions, while Pt Fortin Civic snatched the Under-18 crown, but the young San Juan Kings look intent on making amends in the inaugural Knockout Cup competition after all three age-group teams marched into the semifinals to be contested on May 20. There are no matches this weekend because of Mother’s Day.

Competing at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Sunday, Jabloteh hammered St Ann’s Rangers 4-0 in an Under-14 quarterfinal match before the San Juan Kings’ Under-16s edged crosstown rivals Morvant Caledonia United 1-0 before the Jabloteh Under-18s completed the quarterfinal round trifecta with a 3-0 defeat off Defence Force FC at the same Malabar venue.

However, Pt Fortin Civic Under-18s, though, failed to progress into the semi-finals despite going ahead against Police FC through a Matthew Brewster 15th minute strike at Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Training Field Ground One, Marabella.

The new Under-18 league champions went on to surrender the narrow lead before falling 2-1 against the Blues who advanced courtesy a double from Kai Phillip in the 45th & 83rd and will meet W Connection, 1-0 winners over Club Sando.

Pt Fortin Civic Under-14 and Under-16 outfits had much better fortune as they advanced into the semi-finals of their respective tournaments.

This after Civic Under-14s stunned league runners-up Morvant Caledonia United and the Under-16s ousted St. Ann’s Rangers.

All advancing teams will now have two weeks, ample time for rest, recovery and preparation for semi-final day on May 20.

QUARTERFINAL RESULTS

UNDER-14 DIVISION:
• San Juan Jabloteh 4 (Lindell Sween 8’, Deshawn Brown 39’, Jaheim Faustin 41’, Jearon Ellis 49’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0
• Morvant Caledonia United 1 (Jaheim Marshall 58’) vs Point Fortin Civic 2 (Luke Phillip 18’, Kern Smart 26’)
• W Connection 4 (Maliki Clement 6’, Molik Khan 10’, 53’, Dantaye Gilbert 60’) vs Club Sando 2 (Daylon Riley 15’, 45’)
• Police FC 1 (Jalen King 17’) vs Defence Force FC 2 (Jean-Pierre Reyes 39’, Tyrik Trotman 49’)
UNDER-16 DIVISION:
• San Juan Jabloteh 1 (Jerry Morris 66’) vs Morvant Caledonia United 0
• Club Sando 2 (Justin Araujo-Wilson 13’, Tyrique Sutherland 75’) vs Defence Force FC 1 (Jaden Perryman 27’)
• W Connection 1 (Nicholas Dyett 67’) vs Police FC 1 (Jesus Delecia 16’) - Police won 5-4 on penalties;
• Point Fortin Civic 2 (Jhavani Jack 78’, Jahmali Cobham 80’) vs St. Ann’s Rangers 0
UNDER-18 DIVISION:
• San Juan Jabloteh 3 (Kidane Lewis 13’, Kesean St. Rose 46’, Rivaldo Coryat 71’) vs Defence Force FC 0
• Point Fortin Civic 1 (Matthew Brewster 15’) vs Police FC 2 (Kai Phillip 45’, 83’)
• W Connection 1 (Tyrike Andrews 73’) vs Club Sando 0
• St. Ann’s Rangers 2 (Jerrel Hibbert 10’, Nkosi Salandy 60’) vs North East Stars 3 (Akeem Mason 8’, Sherwin Williams 49’, Jean-Paul Rochford 51’)

Harvard Club is celebrating 75 years of commitment and service and dedication to T&T. The Club is a landmark on Tragarette Road at the junction where Tragarette Road and Serpentine Road intersect.

The residents of One Woodbrook Place look down at the iconic landmark.

Harvard ‘s contribution to sport is well established despite being formed as a social club and not just a sports club.

Harvard Club is an institution and it’s very unfortunate that as a society we disrespect the time, effort and commitment that is expended and invested in starting, growing and sustaining Clubs such as Harvard.

This lack of respect can at times mitigate the sustainability of many similar type institutions. T&T at times come across as if we are a people and a nation lacking an appreciation of our history and traditions.

They don’t make club’s like Harvard anymore. Issues of class, race and social standing are captivating backstories that many wish to scrub out of existence.

Impatience and short-sightedness bedevil progress. How can we move forward without understanding our history and what Harvard club is all about?

The Harvard Club, recently, hosted an interfaith service at the Clubhouse. The presence of the Honourable Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe would have resonated positively with the Harvard Club members and supporters. Her words of encouragement and attendance were appreciated. After all, 75 years of survival and perseverance is no mean feat.

One can imagine in the future Harvard Club will celebrate 100 years of continued service in sport and social development to this beautiful country of ours. One can only wonder if the current generation of Harvard Club members, those who currently have the honour and privilege to wear the Harvard Club green jersey and the Club crest, appreciate the fact that they stand on the shoulders of sweat and sacrifice of many who have laid a very solid foundation.

There is a responsibility to strive to ensure that each generation does their part in passing on the club to the next generation.

The contribution of Harvard Club can’t be measured in trophies and medals and titles. A far deeper and more meaningful measure is the friendships and the positive difference the Club has made in the lives of many young people and families.

Harvard Club.... 75 years of service to country, community and society.

Harvard Club, the pride of St James. A club where you are reminded that - people are human beings and that service to humanity matters. Where respect has to be earned not demanded. It’s a club with a soul and pride.

Let all of us celebrate with Harvard this 75th anniversary which presents an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation.

T&T Soca Warriors utility player Joevin Jones netted the opening goal as Darmstadt 98 trounced fifth-placed Jahn Regensburg 3-0 at Continental Arena, Regensburg on Sunday to keep its 2nd Bundesliga survival hopes alive. The 26-year-old signed by the club in December from former US Major League Soccer champions, Seattle Sounders, fired in his fourth goal in 15 matches, and the team’s opener from a free-kick which was parried into the net by opposing goalkeeper Andre Weis in the 29th minute for his team to lead 1-0 at the half-time interval.

On the resumption, Regensburg put the visitors under pressure coming close to finding the equaliser, but against the run of play South Korea’s Ji Dong-Won headed in a second for Darmstadt in the 68th minute after the host failed to clear a corner.

Five minutes later, Dong-Won then turned provider for Tobias Kempe to fire home the insurance item for the visitors to move out of the relegation zone in 14th spot on the 18-team table with 40 points from 33 matches and one left to play versus FC Erzgebirge Aue, which also has 40 points.

Cellar-placed Kasiserslautern with 32 points from 33 matches has already been relegated to the 3rd division in the Bundesliga.

Five years ago, at Rudder 6.0, staged at the Grand Stand in the Queen’s Park Savannah, Portof- Spain, David Rudder offered a number of hit songs from the past from artistes such as The Beatles, Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, The Rolling Stones, and a host of others, which he credited as having had an influence on his chosen career as an entertainer and recording artiste.

“That concert was an historical look at the music that influenced me, tonight’s concert will take another look at the music I have created for the people over the 56 years of my career,” he said, prior to taking the stage Under The Trees at The Normandie Hotel in St Ann’s last Saturday night (May 5) for Rudder 6.5, a celebratory concert in recognition of his 65th birthday.

The venue was jam-packed with loyal patrons of the work produced by the iconic entertainer, prompting Fire Service officers on duty to restrict admission, after a while, to ensure their safety.

Rudder has always ensured that lead guitarist Wayne Bruno and the Rapid Response band are the professional musicians who accompany him at his gigs, where possible. The music they provided on the occasion—sharp horn lines, fancy guitar work, and throbbing percussion— along with the competent harmonies of the back-up singers, allowed patrons to enjoy, to the max, Rudder 6.5.

In addition to Bruno, other accomplished musicians included Kenneth Baptiste, Albert Bushe, Barry Howard, Jeremy Ledbetter, Ryan Romany, Vernon Headley, Hadyn Robin, Kayode Charles, Allan Nelson, Kensa James, Michelle Marfan-Urquhart, Cherise, Browne, Michelle Assing, and Tamba Gwindi.

It was an anniversary for the veteran percussionist Gwindi, as well. “This event is also like an anniversary of sorts for me because it marks 28 years of working with David on stage, in the calypso tents, at his concerts locally, along with Charlie’s Roots and Wayne Bruno and the Rapid Response Bands, throughout the Caribbean, and in the recording studios. I salute David for his commitment to keeping live percussion in the mix over the years and his contribution to keeping our people thinking in the midst of the music,” he said. In the audience, and also celebrating a birthday with Rudder on the occasion, was businessman Satish Pariagh of 2001 Carpet House in Chaguanas.

“I rescheduled a travel arrangement to be here tonight,” he said. “I have been a Rudder fan for many, many years, and never miss an opportunity to see him perform.”

Rudder offered about 50 selections from his extensive repertoire, venturing down memory lane with acclaimed hits such as Bahia Girl, Calypso Music, Song for a Lonely Soul, Mad Man Rant, Jump Up, Madness, Calabash, Permission to Mash Up de Place, Trini to the Bone, Hammer, Long Time Band, and High Mas.

In remembrance of the late calypso aficionado Diane Marshall-Holdip, he offered The Power of the Song, a selection that pays tribute to the late Grandmaster Kitchener.

Accompanied by Michael “Ming” Low Chew Tung on keyboards and Jeremy Ledbetter on Melodica (a free-reed instrument similar to the pump organ and harmonica) he skilfully executed the littleknown songs Tuesday Night Lover, It’s Only Natural, and Fire Queen.

A poignant moment was his touching rendition of I Will Always Be There For you, a musical, metaphor-laden pledge of loyalty to T&T sung by Melanie Hudson in the 1990s. Rudder’s performance also invoked a variety of emotions. At times, he induced quiet reflection, at other times gaiety, and on occasions, a sense of national pride.

Rudder has the distinction of being the only person to take all available titles in a single year, having won the National Calypso Monarch, Young Kings and Road March competitions in 1986. His Hammer was also the Tune of Choice that year for the National Panorama winner, Trinidad All Stars.

Rudder has since eschewed all calypso contests, but continues to supply works of an integrity equal to most and superior to many of his peers; examining in his lyrics and music a number of revolutionary concepts.

Rudder 6.5 goes to Toronto, Canada, next month, for staging at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, on June 9.

Emotions of gratitude and inspiration etched on the faces of scores of pupils of the Basdeo Panday Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Centre and St Julien Presbyterian School who received educational gifts last Thursday was testament to the fact that investing in young people and giving back makes a significant difference.|

The pupils of the schools, which are both located in St Julien Village, Princes Town, benefitted from the generosity of the Kowlessar family, which has seen three generations attend the schools so far.

Speaking on behalf of her family was Anne Kowlessar who indicated that they wanted to make a contribution to the institutions which had created the educational foundation for their family.

“We all have so many wonderful memories of attending both schools and those experiences shaped who we are today, especially in terms of our love for learning, our strong connection to home and our values.

We felt that it was our duty to give back to the schools that have given us so very much. The feedback of love and appreciation that we have received has filled our hearts with joy.

“I would encourage every person to give back to their past schools because every little contribution makes a big difference, especially when it comes to educating our children. Just as much as the government and the denominational boards, we each can each play an important role in education.”

Each pupil was presented with a book bag filled with items such as pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, markers, a stapler, notebooks and an array of other stationary supplies, in addition to a dictionary.

The wide-eyed looks of wonder mirrored the heartfelt appreciation of the pupils, which was reflected in the words of Shane Harricharan, a standard four student of St Julien Presbyterian, “This is a tremendous gift to us and we are very thankful that the Kowlessar family wanted to contribute to our education. I have always been motivated to study hard to succeed and now I have another reason to achieve my best.

“I want to follow their example and give back to this school one day so that those students will also know that they are supported and appreciated. This was a wonderful thing that they did and we are thankful for everything.”

St Julien Presbyterian School boasts many successful past students, including former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday who resided in the village and in whose honour the ECCE Centre was named.

Other outstanding members of the St Julien alumni include UWI lecturer Dr Indira Rampersad; former Petrotrin vice-president Mado Bachan; media, cultural and literary consultant and educator Dr Kris Rampersad; past principal and school supervisor Wilfred Adimoolah; and engineer Roy Gunness.

Also expressing gratitude for the generous gesture was St Julien Presbyterian Principal Hannays Ramsingh: “In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we sometimes forget that we have so very much to be thankful for. When a contribution like this is made, it makes us pause and reflect on the fact that we each have a responsibility to inspire and motivate young people, especially to learn and grow. These children have been energised to learn by this act of kindness and this is one of those moments that will stay with them for a lifetime.

“We are truly grateful, not only for the generosity of the Kowlessars, but also for the valuable lesson that they has taught us as adults—that we all need to give back and keep the cycle of benefit going.”

In the face of violence and tragedy, those afflicted can choose to help others avoid the same fate. The upcoming concert, Super Mom’s Mother’s Day Extravaganza, organised and hosted by Caryn Sobers, is one such initiative which aims to bring awareness and support to women exposed to domestic violence.

Sobers said the event was created in memory of relatives who lost their lives to domestic violence. In 2014, Sobers lost her brother Trevon Sobers and her aunt Deshon Sobers after her aunt’s estranged boyfriend shot them dead in a domestic violence dispute. Sobers’ grandfather and younger brother were also wounded in the attack but survived the ordeal.

The event will be held at the Jerningham Community Centre, Cunupia, as Sobers grew up in the area.

She said “Charity begins at home. There are a lot of women, some of them single parents, within the community of Enterprise who need to know that there are avenues for help and support.”

The main speaker will be cultural activist and co-director of Caribbean feminist group Womantra, Amanda T McIntyre. Performers will include the 2018 National Women’s Action Committee Calypso Queen Stacey Sobers (Caryn’s aunt), newly-appointed National Parang Association of T&T president Alicia Jaggasar, calypsonian Karen Eccles and Meguella Simon of the Divas Calypso Cabaret International Tent.
Robert Young of The Cloth will put on a mini fashion show and there will be performances by the Paramin dance group, The Faith in the Word Youth group. Sobers said, “there will be a special guest appearance by my brother, Jamal Sobers who survived the shooting which claimed the life of my aunt Deshon and younger brother Trevon Sobers.”

This is the second year the concert has been put on, and Sobers said the event was well attended last year. She added: “Those that were there in attendance were treated to games for which they received prizes. There was live entertainment and an all-round evening of good positive fun. This year when they leave it is guaranteed that they would have been educated on the topic of Domestic Violence, and they would also have had a day of fun and relaxation.”

Sobers said the primary objective is to cover all projects and costs and any additional funds will be channelled into the community. “This has inspired me to want to do more for the women in and around the community of Enterprise. They say when it nice do it twice or even a third time, so I plan to continue this venture for as long as I can,” said Sobers.

Super Mom’s Mother’s Day Extravaganza takes place on May 27, from 5.30 pm until 1 am at the Jerningham Community Centre. Tickets cost $185. For more information, call 315-4755 and 230-5859.

Popular women’s wellness group, Yes She Can (YSC), extended its reach beyond the shores of T&T once again with the launch of Yes She Can Anguilla. The launch took place last month at the Tea Box Lounge, South Hill, Anguilla, and was hosted by YSC’s founder, Roberta Rose Collins.

It was attended by Dr Dina Foy, wife of the Governor of Anguilla, as well as representatives of the Business and Professional Women of Anguilla; the Department of Sports; the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the National Chronic Disease Unit Anguilla, and personal trainers, Train Smart.

Carlishia Philips, Director of YSC Anguilla, welcomed guests, who were treated to a presentation on the transformative powers of Yes She Can membership.

Even the vegan refreshments reflected the philosophy of enjoying healthy food, such as unsweetened lavender-iced tea. “At first no one wanted to try it,” Collins laughs, “but before the end of the evening, it was all gone.” Snacks included blueberry salad, gazpacho, stuffed mushroom, flatbread and dip, beet chips and dip.

Collins shared the incredible life-changing experience that YSC membership inevitably brings. She is certain that YSC has the potential to contribute to an improved health-related quality of life for our society through educating and encouraging women about the benefits of making healthier choices, and finding a fulfilling and enjoyable life for themselves and those in their care.

“YSC seeks to help women appreciate that they have the power to make choices that will positively affect their lives and, in turn, those around them.”

Since its start in 2015, YSC members have trained for and completed numerous challenges, including:

• The “Trinbago Tri” Triathlon at Store Bay in 2015
• The Chinese Bicentennial Dragon Boat Regatta in 2016
• The Stanley International Dragon Boat Race held in Stanley, Hong Kong – June 2016 and 2017 (Through YSC’s Hong Kong arm)
• The Flow Duathlon in 2017.

The team has also hosted an International Women in Wellness Conference in March 2017; completed an archery course in 2017; and entered relay teams for the T&T International Marathon (TTIM) in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

In addition, members have participated in an untold number of 5K and 10K races, Zumba meets, hikes, and other challenges. The group has also come together to exercise its social conscience, such as its collection and delivery of 2.5 tonnes of relief supplies to hurricane-struck Anguilla in September 2017, and participation in activities such as Royalty for a Night, Blessing Bag delivery and Share Happiness TT.

“The comradery of the YSC women in Trinidad and Hong Kong, and that support system, has grown and allowed for us to go beyond what we perceived to be our limits.” Collins said.

YSC continues to spread its values, which are:

• Activate: take action to exercise, eat well, push your limits and live a healthier and happier lifestyle.
• Motivate: inspire, support and encourage those around you.
• Celebrate: celebrate successes big or small and have fun every step of the way.

Yes She Can Anguilla’s first activity will be in collaboration with the Anguilla Tennis Academy to introduce the sport to more women on the island. And there is no doubt that as the Yes She Can sisterhood grows, more women will continue to discover their own strength, push back their boundaries, and learn how high they can reach when lifted aloft in the arms of their sisters.

To find out more about Yes She Can, Like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/yesshecanproject/

ROSLYN CARRINGTON
roslyncarrington@gmail.com