Local businesses were urged by Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon to recalibrate and maximise their contribution to economic diversification.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the T&T Manufacturers’ Association’s Trade and Investment Convention (TIC) at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, Gopee-Scoon highlighted the fact that further development must actively include greater and more meaningful contributions by the private sector.

“For far too long we have given lip service to diversification and resolutely identified the Government as solely responsible for the success of expanding and creating new opportunities in the non-energy sector. I wish to change this focus and put questions to the business stakeholders, as we formulate solutions to support further economic diversification,” she said.

The minister encouraged the private sector to further promote efficiency, productivity and innovation, and also create a space for free and open collaboration and cooperation with Government towards mutually beneficial objectives.

In response, first Vice President of the TTMA Franka Costelloe maintained that the state has continuously recommended the manufacturing sector champion diversification.

“The TTMA has committed to developing a working strategy for the non-energy manufacturing sector by the end of the year which is private sector driven [sic] with support of the government.

We see that we have a responsibility to our community in many ways—providing employment, earning foreign exchange, providing high quality and affordable goods to our community and building our nation’s pride in who we are and what we produce,” she said.

Costelloe added that “TIC is an excellent example of how public and private sector partnership can work to generate business activity, employment and export.”

The work of local designer and artist Sheldon Martin Warner speaks volumes.

His creations are bold and alluring, colourful and fascinating and have landed him clients in London, the United States, Japan and other parts of the world.

Warner, whose design studio is in Lopinot, Arouca, was among a diverse group showcasing their talent at the launch of the Trade Ministry’s fashion value chain investment programme (VCIP) for 2018 at the Government Plaza, Port-of-Spain.

The fashion industry has been identified as one of the key drivers in the thrust to diversify the economy and FashionTT is the state agency mandated to propel business development and export activity in that sector. In pursuit of this mandate, a strategic plan for the fashion industry was developed and approved by the boards of FashionTT and its parent company CreativeTT.

Describing his pieces as a lifestyle collection, Warner said: “Everything is hand-painted, one-of-a-kind.

“The range of items are hand-painted clothing for men and women, to home collections items comprising hand-painted tableware. We also have acrylic wall hangings.”

Warner, who has many high-end clients, has designed for local Miss Universe delegate and participated in regional and international fashion week events.

He said fashion has an integral place in T&T’s economic landscape and new capacity building opportunities continue to be provided for local fashion entrepreneurs with the continuation of the VCIP, a strategic initiative aimed at increasing the sector’s commercial impact. It is facilitated by faculty of the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, under the guidance of Professor Vincent Quan.

The VCIP is subdivided into four tiers: the global value chain (gvc) support programme, non-global value chain (non-gvc) support programme, incubator programme for new/young high potential companies or partnerships, and firms that are earmarked for future support.

FashionTT, led by general manager Lisa-Marie Daniel and under the guidance of the FashionTT and CreativeTT boards, successfully inaugurated the programme in 2017 and continues to strive for excellence in this field.

The 2017 cohort was applauded for maximising a valuable opportunity to improve the various elements of their value chain.

Daniel noted that the global fashion industry generates in excess US$2.4 trillion and within the local fashion sector there are many creative designers.

“One of the main objectives is eventually getting products out for export and getting more promotion locally. FashionTT is supporting our designers in doing so through capacity building programmes. We are also partnering with UTT with respect to the implementation of a local production facility which will be launched by the end of this calendar year at the UTT’s Wrightson Road campus.

“This facility will support the manufacturing of goods to fulfil orders locally and for export,” she said.

While there have been some obstacles in ensuring the industry is thoroughly thriving, including equipping designers with business acumen and providing more production spaces, Daniel said Fashion TT has been closing these bottlenecks through a series of initiatives, including discussions with retailers to offer products from local designers at their stores.

“This is a very palatable industry. It can definitely help the economy away from oil and gas,” Daniel said.

Chairman of the T&T Creative Industries Company Ltd (CreativeTT), parent company of FashionTT, Calvin Bijou, explained: “The strategic plan for the fashion industry prudently earmarked vital near, medium and long-term projects to aggressively drive the business development and export activity of the local fashion industry.

“The cornerstone of these is the value chain investment programme. This programme provides mentoring and training for designers and aspiring designers irrespective of where they find themselves in some of the business stages.”

Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon, FashionTT’s line minister, highlighted the importance of the VCIP, saying it provides a platform for local fashion designers to improve the various business elements of their value chain, making them better positioned to export and compete on the local and international markets.

“The creative industry has untapped potential that can contribute significantly to income generation and job creation. It’s heartening to hear of growth in their respective businesses including, for some, entry into regional markets in keeping with the strategic direction outlined by FashionTT for the period 2015–2020.

“This augers well for the fashion industry and for the domestic economy of T&T, as it introduces a new stream of revenue, job creation and foreign exchange earnings,” Gopee-Scoon added.

Creative entrepreneurs are also beneficiaries of other initiatives being implemented by the Government, including the national e-commerce strategy and the national quality policy and supporting national quality infrastructure.

The Trade Minister said: “As a Government we envisage that products proudly made in Trinidad and Tobago will be differentiated in the international market on the basis of quality, value and innovation rather than on price alone. The creative sector, and fashion in particular, can blaze a trail in this regard.”

Designers were told about access to funding through the business development fund in the amount of $100,000 per applicant, a grant fund facility to a maximum of $250,000 and up to $1 million per beneficiary under a research and development facility.

The Trade Ministry is also operationalising a secured transactions and collateral registry which envisages use of moveable property—intellectual property, machinery and equipment, accounts receivables—as collateral when approaching financial institutions for a loan.

• For more information on the value chain investment programme visit www.fashiontt.co.tt/VCIP or follow FashionTT’s social media pages, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, to keep up-to-date with this and other fashion industry initiatives. Information on other grants and funds are accessible at http://tradeind.gov.tt/

Patricia Ghany, who has just been installed as the 15th President of the American Chamber of Commerce of T&T (AmCham TT), says she is humbled by the faith the board has placed in her to lead an dynamic organisation she says has a proud past and an exciting future.

As the second woman to head AmchamTT, she is determined to follow in the footsteps of the past presidents—Clyde Alleyne, Catherine Kumar, David Chaney, Nicholas Galt, Raymond Gatcliffe, Eugene Tiah, Simon Aqui, Hugh Howard, Ravi Suryadevara, and Mitchell De Silva—all of whom have provided strong leadership and gave generously of their time, expertise and wisdom.

Ghany, who is 53 but looks years younger, said: “Through their passion, dedication and commitment they skilfully charted AmCham’s course through multiple challenges, changing times and economic landscapes.”

Her journey with the organisation began 23 years ago, when her company, Esau Oilfield Supplies, was encouraged to become a member.

“When AmChamTT was formed in 1992, T&T had just come out of a bruising IMF structural adjustment programme. The economy had been significantly liberalised. Fiscal consolidation and structural reforms were being undertaken against a backdrop of social dislocation, global change and limited fiscal space for the government,” Ghany recalled.

“By the time I joined the organisation in 1995, the TT dollar had been floated, public finances had been stabilised, the decision to go into LNG had been cemented. In fact, Atlantic was incorporated in that year.

“But the economic recovery was neither complete nor secure. It was a confusing time, it was an exciting time and we knew our company had to build solid relationships not just to survive but thrive in the years to come. As part of that effort, we made a conscious business decision to join AmCham and have never looked back since.”

As the first port of call for any US or international company seeking to do business in this country, Ghany said AmChamTT provides the perfect environment in which to meet and collaborate with contemporaries, not just in the oil and gas, but along the value chain in almost every industry.

“We need only to look at our current board and the areas of expertise—ICT, banking and finance, local and international conglomerates, transportation and services,” she said.

An issue close to Ghany’s heart is gender parity, particularly diversity and gender balance, which are integral engines of innovation.

“If we are to champion broader and more inclusive representation at all levels of the private and public sectors, then we must lead by example,” she said.

AmChamTT, she pointed out, has a legacy of female leadership. In 1991 Sally Cowell, then US Ambassador to T&T, and Nisha Lau, then GM of FedEx, were the original architects who drew up plans for the organisation and together brought AmChamTT to life.

In 2000, Catherine Kumar, then chief operating officer of Algico, was elected the first female president.

In 2003, Ghany had the privilege of serving on the board while Kumar was president.

“Indeed, women have led the pack, with successive female executive directors, each of them infusing the organisation with various strengths and dynamism from 1993 to 2014,” she said.

“It’s interesting to note that it was only in 2014, we had our very first male CEO, Nirad Tewarie. It’s also worth mentioning that our highest level of female board participation peaked at 45 per cent during the period 2015 to 2016.”

Another area of focus for Ghany will be digital transformation.

“We have all become familiar with the now clichéd examples of Uber and Airbnb as disruptors of two long standing industries. We all need to embrace the digital transformation that’s going on if we are to survive, compete and grow. More than that, we need to be part of the healthy disruptions that are happening in the market.

“It can be quite a scary thought to think about the potential of technology to change our businesses and business models forever but we need to embrace reality.”

Ghany assured that AmChamTT’s member companies are well positioned to take advantage of rapid technological shifts that allow market share, clients, strategic alliances and partnerships to grow seamlessly, no matter the geographic position.

“To achieve these objectives, the board will be working closely with our digital transformation committee to develop strategies and provide insights for both the public and private sectors that can assist with digital transformation,” she said.

As the pathway to the Americas, she said, AmChamTT will continue to forge links with businesses across the Americas so other lucrative markets can be opened to member companies.

“No other chamber can provide the access, linkages and information that AmChamTT can as a result of membership and leadership in the Association of American Chambers of Commerce of Latin America and the Caribbean, the network of the 24 AmChams in this hemisphere allied with the US Chamber of Commerce. We will continue to develop these links to provide value to our members,” Ghany said.

Another critical issue is competitiveness. The competition for investment dollars is intense at regional and international levels. Global markets are changing.

Tax reforms and shale oil and gas industries in the US are already having a disruptive effect on the structure of businesses in the hemisphere.

“And other countries are adapting and starting to thrive. Jamaica, Guyana and Grenada in this region are actively changing the structure of their economies and acting with a sense of purpose,” she said.

“The Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in this hemisphere for near a decade. T&To, however, has lagged behind our counterparts.

“For us to be an attractive investment destination, we cannot continue to make internal plans and goals in isolation. We cannot continue to talk and not do. Rather, we must understand what the other countries in the region and in the world are doing in terms of tax incentives, fiscal and monetary policies, developing human capacity and improving regulatory environments,” she said.

Ghany, who takes over from outgoing president Mitchell De Silva, will serve a two-year term.

Professor Muhammad Yunus, known for establishment of the Grameen Bank, propagated the “profit for purpose” definition where he sees social enterprises operating to earn profits, but to redeploy the profits in furthering the mission of the enterprise, rather than pay out the investors.

For them the mission of the enterprise should address a large scale social problem.

In his view, the social enterprise (business) should serve or meet the social need. In the process, if the business makes profits, that is incidental.

He further shares that when social enterprises make surpluses out of such businesses, these should be applied back into the business to continue to solve the problem and not enrich the entrepreneurs.

The primary goal of such businesses should be to exist for a “purpose” as an end in itself, extending beyond the concept of economic benefits sought by a regular business enterprise.

The key therefore lies in ensuring social enterprises have a well-defined social mission.

If you are thinking about starting a social enterprise or if your existing business doesn’t have one, then articulating a social mission is a good starting point.

Here I share with you three reasons to illustrate the power of your social mission:

1 Provides focus, focus, focus. Having a social mission can be empowering, and can demonstrate your commitment to the social good. Additionally, your social mission can be utilised to empower your employees. It can serve as a reminder “why are we doing this again?” It can rally the team spirit for your most critical asset—your employees.

2 It adds to your brand value. Your social mission should not be just a statement on your company’s wall. It can be incorporated possibly as a kind of tagline, to be directly associated with your brand. Document it in your brand guidelines and make it a part of your corporate identity.

3 Allows you to build partnerships.

Your social mission can be a compelling reason for donors or volunteers to be part of your journey. It allows you to affiliate yourself with other supporters of this mission and vice versa. In this way, you are able to earn more visibility and do more good by aligning yourself with others who are already involved in this mission or who would like to become involved in this mission.

Remember, don’t hide your social mission.

As social entrepreneurs, you should strive to display your social mission wherever you can. There are many ways you can make your social mission visible.

For instance, on your call card or from the About page of your website to the bylines of your press releases.

This will help keep your cause top-of-mind among your audience.

In sum, it’s never too late to get involved. If your existing business doesn’t currently have a social mission or you are think about establishing a social enterprise, now is the perfect time to get started with one.

Remember, the power of your social mission is not a drain on your company’s assets.

It can go a long way in achieving that social good.

NIRMALA MAHARAJ is a doctoral candidate at the UWI-Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business. Her research is in social entrepreneurship. Mobile: 689-6539 / E-mail: socialprogressinst@gmail.com

Massy Stores chief executive officer Derek Winford recently continued the distribution of reusable bags to members of the public at the Gulf View and St Augustine Stores.

The reusable bags are part of Massy Stores’ thrust to “Get to Green” which limits the number of plastic in usage at its grocery chain across the region.

The campaign branded with the hashtags #LetsAllDoOurPart and #BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) aims to make the public more aware about the harmful effects of plastics and minimise its use as it adversely affects our environment, marine and wildlife.

Addressing the media at the Gulf View store, Winford said it is all part of the company’s thrust to become more environmentally aware and reduce the reliance on plastics.

“We give away 34 million plastic bags every year and it really has to stop, so we have decided to use reusable bags.

“We intend to give away 80,000 reusable bags which we believe is a good base to stop using plastic bags. We are asking members of the public to help us reduce plastic usage and plastic consumption in the country since we know of the damage it has been causing via the Internet and social media,” he said.

Winford said this is one of the first steps that the company has taken to reduce the amount of plastic, while ensuring that their actions match their words.

The distribution of reusable bags began on June 5 – World Environment Day at Massy Stores in Maraval and will continue at their other locations.

The reusable bags will be sold at $10 and $12 at all Massy Store locations with several in-store promotions being conducted, such as buy one get one free and allowing those customers who spend over $500 to get a free reusable bag.

On July 3, Plastic Bag Free Day, Massy Stores implemented a 50- cent fee for disposable plastic bags as a deterrent.

So many things happen to disrupt emotional health and create sadness, anxiety, and stress. One of the most powerful coping mechanisms is gratitude, focusing even at the worst of times on those things that you can still be thankful for. “When we are appreciative, we are filled with a sense of well-being and swept up with a feeling of joy.” MJ Ryan.

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation of all abundance.” Eckhard Tolle.

Well-being encompasses all of our parts, not just the physical body. It is important to create balance by actively nurturing the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. Practice forgiveness, learn to love yourself but remain humble. Remember that your mind is the most powerful tool you have available to create the greatest version of your life and your highest level of health.

Roger Brumant, featured today, recognized the tremendous power of the mind for change and change took him to incredible weight loss and wellness. He is indeed proof that nothing is impossible.

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Tommy Lesarda.

“The only thing greater than the power of the mind is the courage of the heart.” John Nash. Judy Alcantara BA English Honours/Spanish CIAR Cert [Cooper’s institute of Aerobic Research] Email: fitforlife@live.com Facebook: www.facebbok.com/ TheFitnessRevolutionTT

My name is Roger Brumant and I am one of the unit managers at Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited located at 1 Woodbrook Place, St James. As long as I can remember, I have always been overweight. Coming from a humble beginning, we never had much, and I had to eat what was available, mostly bread and carbs. My mother and grandmother were never far from the kitchen, and I often heard them use the old phrase “better a man belly buss than good food go to waste,” so, whatever was placed on the table, I ate.

Although I was heavy, my mind played tricks on me when I looked in the mirror. It always told me that I wasn’t a big guy, so, I should enjoy eating. I ultimately moved up from size large to extra-large, then quickly up to five extra-large. I then had to import even larger sizes from outside of our country. When I looked in the mirror, I was still a ‘hottie.’ I nicknamed myself ‘Big Red Trini’ and in my eyes I had it going on. In my mind when I looked in the mirror I was not in too bad a shape, I was good to go.

However, one day, while looking in the mirror I caught sight of what I call “the ring of death.” It is a layer of fat under the neck of obese people. I thought to myself, “Lord Father!

I have the ring of death.” I still did not take stock of myself. Even when I broke a plastic chair that I sat on, in my eyes, I was still the “Big Red Trini”… a hottie…still in the game. “You have it,” I told myself, although I weighed 438 pounds. The mind is a powerful tool, it can make you believe things that may not actually exist, I continued in denial, a little exercise here and there, but made no serious attempt to change my lifestyle.

My turning point came when I went to Orlando, Florida, with my son. We were at Universal Studios going to ride the Hulk, a thrill roller coaster ride. My first issue was getting into the seat. It was a challenge at first, but I conquered it; then I had to buckle my seatbelt. I tried and tried, and no matter what I did, I could not buckle my belt. I looked at my son and what I saw in his face brought a stark reality home to me, he was disappointed. Sadness and disappointment on my son’s face was not something that I was prepared for and I had caused it. I was devastated! This was it. I had enough. How much more did my family miss out on because of my weight. At that moment, I quietly prayed to God, telling him what he already knew, I was not doing the right thing and needed a second chance to be a better example to my family. I needed to live a different lifestyle. Never give up Thus, on August of 2014 my journey began. I decided to let mind and body work together to achieve my goal of being physically and mentally healthy. As a logical man I asked myself, “How did I get here?”

I recognized the power of my mind.

The body responds to what the mind tells it to do. I began to gradually eat less, and enjoyed a final Christmas of indulgence.

On February 10,2015, my journey to weight loss and wellness began. I  did some research to try to understand what was ahead of me and the challenges that I would face. I looked at am countless number of videos and television programmes on weight loss, what caused it and how to overcome the issues that caused the weight gain. The road has not been easy. There were many times where I stopped then started again. I shed many tears along the way as sometimes, frustration got the better of me.

However, I still had my goal and I was determined to achieve it. My mantra became, ‘it is not how you start, but where and how you finish.’ The major thing was to NEVER GIVE UP ON MYSELF and to remember that a journey begins with the first step. Taking the first step can assist in determining if you will succeed or fail at your goal.

Obesity is a disease and accepting that I suffered with this condition, was my first step in my weight loss journey. I followed a few steps in my weight loss journey.

STEP 1. I diagnosed my problem, I was overweight and made a plan of recovery.

STEP 2. I admitted to myself that I had to give up certain types of foods that I enjoyed and sought the help of my family in making this possible.

STEP 3. I created a support group—family, staff, friends. I had reached the emotional saturation point, my body was my prison and it was time to get out.

Take ownership of your problem As my journey to weight loss started, I realized that I needed divine intervention to get this done. Extraordinary things require extraordinary power, therefore I asked God for strength, wisdom, and determination.

At the start, the old bad eating habits tempted me, as I passed the familiar and beloved roti and doubles stops and had to dig deep to keep walking or driving and to not look back. It was not easy as those were my favourite foods.

The struggle was real, however, I persevered on my journey.

Today I weigh 215 pounds.

I train every day, I ride, do spin, aerobics, and take part in 5ks. I am currently learning the art of swimming.

I have been taking lessons and have been ably coached by Karen Araujo at the Flying Fish Swimming Club and getting tips from my son who is now a parttime instructor at the Eastern School of Life Saving.

These two people, along with XO MultiSport Club, and Peter Griffith, my personal trainer, have worked with me. This help has allowed me to successfully complete the recently concluded Rainbow Cup in Tobago in June this year.

When you take ownership of your problem, when you stop making excuses, then, and only then can change begin.

My journey continues and I want to share with those who want to follow my path, what I call the DOME Formula: D-Do accept that you have a problem.

O-Set your Objective. You need to be specific if it is to be healthy, continuous and long term. It must be a lifestyle change, not just about weight loss. M- Method. What exactly are you going to do? Work with a personal trainer or dietician for example?

E- Evaluate. Constantly take stock. Did I eat as I should have? Did I exercise? This will help you to be accountable.

Because I know that eating is often emotional, I define choice as the continuous overriding of the intuition to choose based on emotion.

Today I want to thank God for giving me a second chance along with Peter Griffith of Climarc Fitness and Nutrition Centre, my personal trainer who stuck with me throughout and is still here. I want to thank my wife and children, Judith, Isaiah, and Jodelle, whose support is invaluable. My team at Guardian Life and in particular Jeffrey Ward and Nicole Blake, who held on for me when I had to focus on losing the weight.

Thanks also to my WhatsApp support group, who always had an encouraging word for me.

To those who were not part of my core group but still gave support, thank you.

Hearing the pronouncements from the newly constituted Police Service Commission made me feel I was listening to J.K. Rowling giving us a sneak peek into the upcoming sequel of Harry Potter - “Fantastic Beasts and where to find them”.

If a pig is found to have cancer in 95% of its body, do we still consume the 5% that has no cancer, therefore living by the idiomatic expression “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”? A man robs eight banks in PoS but we say his redeeming quality is that at least he didn’t rob the banks in other cities?

The Police Service Commission’s selection process was found to be flawed when trying to select a Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police. The Government has exercised the right approach in sending the selected candidates for the post of CoP and Deputy CoP back to the PSC. The process adopted was good but execution flawed.

International best practice dictates there should be multiple platforms of assessment for senior and critical roles such as these and that there are multiple assessors involved, but assessors are not allowed to be a part of all facets of the assessment phases to prevent creeping subjectivity. Behavioural interview questions are questions about how you have behaved in the past. Most professional assessors operate a standard rating scale against each candidate for each exercise, and then the team of assessors consolidate their findings at the end of the session.

When it can be assumed that the applicants to be tested already have job knowledge and/or skills relevant to the competencies to be assessed (for these roles the short-listed folks were in possession of the preceding), then the followed assessment methods should be employed:

Group exercise – looks at how applicants work with other people.

Fact-finding exercise – looks at an applicant’s ability to interact with someone else and obtain information from him or her.

Role-play – usually involves an assessor acting as an applicant’s client or customer in a simulation of a negotiation exercise, interview or performance appraisal.

In-tray exercise – usually involves a selection of letters, memos and messages that may be received by the position holder.

Presentation – looks at an applicant’s ability to communicate to a group of people. Applicants can be given the topic on the day and should have time to prepare.

Assessment centres can be tailored to each position and allows the selection committee to gain a comprehensive insight as to the suitability of the applicants. An assessment centre can include:

Job simulations – involves applicants completing tasks that would be involved in the position they are applying for.

Presentations – involves applicants giving a presentation on a particular topic. This type of technique is often used in sales and training roles where speaking to groups and presenting information makes up a large part of their job.

Interviews – allows the selection committee to ask applicants specific questions in line with the selection criteria. Interviews are targeted to gather information relevant to key competencies

Team exercises – are often used when communication and interaction skills are a key skill for a position. It allows the selection committee to see how applicants interact in a team environment.

Role-plays – allows the selection committee to see how an applicant performs in a hypothetical situation that may occur as part of the position. It is effective in demonstrating an applicant’s ability to think quickly and logically

Psychometric tests – facilitate comparison in that they are standardised and objective; each candidate is given the same questions, same time frame and the questions allow for objectivity

For these senior positions (CoP and Deputy CoP) assessment centres should be used given the nature or complexity of the position requires the process to identify the best-suited candidate who has the constitution, aptitude and stamina. The benefits are that assessment centres have the highest reliability and validity of different assessment methods;

It facilitates comparison of applicants;

It demonstrates the applicants’ strengths and weaknesses in relation to the specific role;

It ensures objectivity and a merit selection process;

It allows for further differentiation between closely ranked applicants;

It gives the selection committee an opportunity to view on-the-job results;

It allows the selection committee to see how the applicants will fit into the organisational culture and team; and

It allows the selection committee to observe an applicant’s leadership and interpersonal style.

Haste to fill a position must never trump using a fair, transparent and rigorous system to find the best candidate. The newly-appointed Police Service Commission would do well by requesting the additional funding from the Government to redo the process given they wanted it redone, we are sure they would acquiesce. With the alarming state of affairs, this would be on the front burner.

HANSEN STEWART
 

Lots of what is written fall on deaf ears because not everyone welcomes advice, especially those in high positions, but that is no excuse to stop writing and expressing your thoughts with the attempt to change things. Ray Bradbury once said, “You only fail once you stop writing.”

It is time to launch a serious, sustained and effective campaign designed to significantly reduce crime and bring more criminals to justice. Every single law-abiding citizen in this great nation of Trinidad and Tobago deserves to live in a safe community. The violence against our citizens and our law enforcement need to be addressed and immediately dealt with because the first duty of Government is supposed to be to protect our well-being and safety.

There should be absolutely no compassion meted out towards lawless conduct displayed by the criminal elements in this country. They have no compassion for us and therefore they are not deserving of compassion or mercy from law enforcement. Crime and violence is an attack on human potential and must no longer be accepted by the PNM administration.

The Prime Minister’s main responsibility is not to make life more comfortable for the criminal, but to make life more comfortable and meaningful for the law-abiding parents trying to raise their kids in peace and trying to empower them to contribute positively to society and leave a legacy. There are thousands of moms and dads who simply want to sleep safely at night. We are sick and tired of being subject to drive-by shootings, murder of our loved ones, robberies, arson attacks, kidnappings and rape of innocent under-aged girls.

More law enforcement, more effective police patrols and more cohesive neighbourhood engagement is what is needed in T&T at this time. Policies need to be immediately put in place that will ultimately bring crime down by large numbers. We want to see some results from the Anti-gang legislation that was recently passed in Parliament. Citizens of this country continue to face the worst heartache imaginable, as we are being targeted by these ruthless criminals on a regular basis. We need to make our country safe again.

The Prime Minister must show more compassion and concern for those who have been targeted by these ruthless criminals by working alongside the best investigators, criminologists and law enforcement officers to dismantle gangs once and for all and stop the flow of drugs and illegal weapons into this country. The Prime Minister and his administration must work with local communities, officials and the opposition to make the reduction of crime a top priority. Safety and security of a nation is the key to a successful nation. To have the best schools and the best jobs it is critical to have safe communities, but human potential is under attack in this country and our dreams are being destroyed because criminals are in power and there is no opposition.

SIMON WRIGHT
Chaguanas

1) Just like Spain four years ago and Italy in 2010, Germany proved that defending champions are now doomed to exit the World Cup at the group stage.

2) As the defending champions, not winning your opening game at the World Cup is usually a bad omen.

3) The biggest stars in the modern game – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – have shown that they are also the biggest chokers on the world stage.

4) Mexico is the only Concacaf team to consistently advance from the group stage at World Cups.

5) However, being knocked out in the round of 16 for the seventh consecutive World Cup would probably leave them feeling a bit frustrated.

6) The English have proven that no matter how long it has lasted, penalty shootout curses can be broken.

7) Two-nil is the most dangerous lead for the team in front as the Japanese have proven.

8) No one is afraid of Spain and their tiki-taka style of football anymore.

9) Racking up too many yellow cards can be detrimental to your team. Just ask the Senegalese.

10) The last European host country to beat Croatia at the World Cup went on to win the tournament. That was France in 1998 semi-finals.

11) Does that mean then that if Russia beats Croatia on Saturday then …. oh never mind.

JOHN SALAZAR,
Morvant

The Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts’ Music Schools in the Community programme kicks off tomorrow, Tuesday, and runs for five weeks. This initiative, which provides formal musical training to students across Trinidad, is open to individuals of all ages with intermediate knowledge level of music and takes place at five locations in Trinidad.

In the north, the programme will be at Desperadoes Youth Orchestra, Port-of-Spain in steelpan; SWAHA Hindu College Sangre Grande in the tabla and harmonium; and Pan Jammers, Upper Santa Cruz in steelpan, woodwind and brass instruments. And, in the south, Siparia Deltones, will focus on steelpan, while at Golden Hands, San Fernando, the programme includes steelpan, woodwind and brass instruments.

The music schools in the community programme, first titled Music Schools in the Panyard, was launched in June 2012 in five panyards. However in 2013, the programme was re-branded Music Schools in the Community and extended to other community spaces. Since its launch, over 1,700 students have participated in the programme which has as its focus on music literacy and instrument performance. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in the Royal School of Music Theory examinations. In 2017, of the 24 students sponsored to write the Grade 1 Examination, 23 passed, with 19 obtaining Distinctions.

In 2017, to culminate the programme and to demonstrate the extraordinary talent of these students the Dream Big concert was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (Napa). Dream Big brought together all the students, from as young four to those who have retired and always wanted to learn an instrument; they all fulfilled their dreams on the prestigious Napa stage. Each school showcased individual pieces and with the final performance of the night as a joint orchestra under the direction of Akua Leith, musical director of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO). Dream Big 2017 was an outstanding success.

In 2018, the programme, focuses on students 12 to 18 years and has been re-designed to include a scholarship programme which gives students an opportunity to further develop their skills in a community based music school, an internship programme with the NSSO and the National Philharmonic Orchestra (NPO) and a capacity-building programme aimed at developing the management capability of cultural and artistic community organizations and individuals.

Music Schools in the Community is focused on teaching, developing and enhancing instrument performance skills, theoretical knowledge and character development training while providing opportunities for participants to increase their personal, socially-useful and even commercially viable talent. The goal is to discover and develop the nascent talent that exists in communities and provide opportunities to make their talents sustainable.

For further information on the camps please visit cdca.gov.tt, Facebook or call 225-4024 ext.4004

Elation was clearly etched on the faces of 24 students of the Tabaquite Presbyterian School who graduated on June 28. Giving the feature address at the primary school’s ceremony was inspirational speaker, inspirational speaker and author Don La Foucade who captured the full attention of the students, parents and teachers.

In keeping with the theme ‘Define Yourself’, La Foucade told the students that they “never get a second chance to make a first impression.” He gave them a dose of reality as he talked to them about what to expect when they get to secondary school but he reminded them to never give up. He said, “Just as in the word ‘Tabaquite’ there is the word ‘quit’, there is also an ‘e’ which means ‘everything awaits you’ so never quit.”

While La Foucade noted that not enough fathers attended the graduation ceremony, he congratulated the parents who were present reminding them that they should continue to tell their children how much they love and believe in them. He advised the proud parents that “no child present (at the function) should be on social media.”

La Foucade concluded by letting the students know that although they may not be attending their “first choice” school in September, be reminded that it is “God’s choice” for them.

“Childhood overweight and obesity is definitely increasing, and has been steadily doing so for many, many years. Studies from the 1970s onwards show a steady upward increase in the adult overweight and obesity prevalence. I consider childhood obesity just a reflection of the obesity prevalence in the adult population.” Registered dietician Jessica John made the statement as she reflected on the prevalence of childhood obesity in T&T.

John said the problem with putting a figure to the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is that no statistics have been collected in the last five years or so. “Most of the data that is quoted nowadays are from studies that were done as far back as 1999. The most recent study to my knowledge was published in 2014 on data collected during the period September 2009 to June 2010 on 2130 school children aged seven to 18 years. The results showed that 15 per cent were obese and 17 per cent were overweight, with primary school children having a higher prevalence of obesity and overweight than secondary school children.

“Alarmingly, more than 40 per cent had at least one risk factor for type 2 diabetes.”

John said there are many factors which contribute to the increase in childhood obesity. One is genetic predisposition where babies in the womb can be affected by different factors, including but not limited to an overweight and/or obese mother, which predispose them to develop obesity and other non-communicable diseases later in life. Another is that T&T is a food and nutrition insecure nation, where different socio-demographic strata of society have different levels of access to nutritionally adequate and quality food. John said the third factor is the culture of T&T.

“As a culture,” she claimed, “we are resistant to change, and have difficulty integrating and collaborating across sectors, hence we make policies, but struggle to implement, monitor and evaluate. This inertia also exists on an individual level where we do not see our lifestyle habits as part of the problem. We either live in denial or with an attitude of fatalism, and with all of this our children are watching and learning…and becoming.”

According to the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Civil Society Action Plan 2017 – 2021: Preventing Childhood Obesity in the Caribbean, the seven priority areas for action in the Civil Society Action Plan are trade and fiscal policies; nutrition literacy; early childhood nutrition; banning the marketing of healthy and unhealthy foods and beverages to children; school and community-based interventions; resource mobilisation; and strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

All sectors have to get involved in fighting childhood obesity and one person who has come up with a new concept is Leah Lewis, CEO of To’ren Healthcare Consultancy. She is debuting her company’s first Summer Weight Loss Camp for children aged eight to 18 years old. Lewis said she was divinely inspired to “create a health promotion programme in the form of a vacation camp that specifically targets overweight and obese children and teenagers.

“I used my knowledge of public health and health promotion, coupled with my desire to do something that hasn’t been done before locally to such great magnitude, to design the camp. Considering the prevalence of obesity locally and globally, I’d say that the camp is quite timely in its appearance.”

Lewis said the goals for the children include both weight loss and sustained behaviour change. Campers will be separated for activities into the groups of eight-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16-18 years old.

Physical activities will include aerobics, martial arts/kick boxing, Zumba, swimming and water-aerobics, along with field trips.

Lewis added: “They’ve been chosen to increase physical fitness levels, improve knowledge of health, wellness and meal choices, change mindsets about healthy living, boost personal confidence and self-esteem and inspire life-long transformation through impactful motivation. That’s why I’ve chosen a balanced mixture of daily physical workouts, nutrition education, health education, self-esteem building, and weekly motivation with some top influencers who can be advocates for lifestyle change while sharing their stories of trials and triumphs.

“The children will also be screened by a team of medical professionals at the beginning and end of the programme for specific health risk factors and to evaluate their progress in the programme. Contact will also be maintained after the programme has ended to determine whether the adopted new behaviours are maintained.”

More Info

Camp will run from today,
July 9, to August 17, weekdays
from 8 am – 3:30 pm at
St. Anthony’s College, Diego Martin.
For more information, email weightlosscamp@torenhc.ml and
call 775-1900.

The Rotary Club of Princes Town held its 25th Presidential Handover Ceremony on June 29 at the San Fernando District Scout Headquarters, on Lady Hailes Avenue. Outgoing President, Bashir Mohammed reviewed “a fantastic year,” focusing on the work of Rotary including assisting flood victims in the Williamsville, Barrackpore areas, providing medical outreach programmes, a peace rally to mark the observance of world peace day, planting over 150 trees at the Yolande Pompey Ground in commemoration of world environment day and awarding 12 scholarships to financially challenged tertiary students.

The ceremony was well attended by the Club’s Rotarians, partners in service, children of Rotary and fellow Rotarians from the Maraval, Port of Spain, San Juan, Penal, Pointe-a-Pierre and San Fernando South clubs who all shared in the continued celebrations of the Club’s silver anniversary.

Mohammed recognised individuals who made meaningful contributions during his year of presidency to the Club’s many successful DEANEendeavours and outreach programmes in the local community.

Recognition was given to Councillor Vashti Sookhoo for coordinating the Club’s first walking medical, Chairman of Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine for his support of the Club’s activities in Princes Town and planting of 150 trees, Shameed Rahim for his assistance with the Union community of Rio Claro, and Amelia Ayoung of St Stephen’s college for her support with the chartering of the Interact Club of St Stephen’s College.

The Club also inducted Rishi Ragoonath, senior photographer at Guardian Media Ltd., as an Honorary Rotarian of the Club, recognising his achievements through photography and his willingness to give back by volunteering his skills to different charitable organisations.

The Paul Harris Fellow award recognises individuals who demonstrate in their life and vocation a commitment to helping individuals in need and contribute, or who have contributions made in their name of USD$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. This year awards were presented to Rishi Ramlogan, Andy Deonarine and Narisha Mohammed at the ceremony and Atlantic in absentia.

The mantle of leadership was passed to new President Crystal Ann Harper, a young and vibrant Attorney-at-Law of the law firm Hobsons, who holds both a Doctor of Jurisprudence and Legal Education Certificate. In her inspiring acceptance speech Incoming President Crystal Ann Harper focused on her plans to continue with the Club’s signature projects which are in tandem with Rotary International’s theme for 2018/2019 “Be The Inspiration.”

This rotary year, the Club aims to focus on membership development and public image with emphasis on increased social media coverage.

The celebration featured live entertainment by singer Chloe Bishop and violinist Nigel Marcano and was chaired by one of the Club’s chartered members, Jamir Ousman.

Rotary International has 1.2 million members worldwide and the Rotary Foundation has donated over 300 billion (US) dollars worldwide in its 100 years of existence to efforts in improving the lives of deserving persons in their local community.

T&T senior women volleyballers won a historic opening set against the defending champions the United States, but the Calypso Spikers were unable to maintain the momentum and eventually loss 3-1 behind scores of 25-21, 15- 25, 22-25 and 15-25. The match was contested in Pool B of the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup Tournament in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, yesterday.

Playing at Ricardo Arias Pavilion, Aiyana Abukusomo- Whitney, came off the bench to start the second set and sparked a young USA side with seven points in the frame before she finished with 13.

Simone Lee led the winners with 14 points while Sarah Wilwhite and Mallory McCage each contributed nine.

T&T’s veteran Krystle Esdelle had a match-high 16 points which were fresh off her performance at the Senior Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Women’s Championship title in Suriname a week ago, when she helped her team to lift its eighth regional title.

Qualifiers to the FIVB World Championship in Japan later this year, the ‘Calypso Spikers’ also got ten points each from Darlene Ramdin and Sinead Jack.

The USA held a 13-5 advantage in the blocking category and both teams served nine aces.

Speaking after the match, T&T captain, Renele Forde said, “We are satisfied with our game against the USA. It is the first time in history we take a set from the USA at any level of volleyball.”

Jonathan Newman-Gonchar, coach of USA: “We want to congratulate T&T for a wonderful match. We are not used to those high balls but made the adjustments and used our quick tempo to recover and win the match.”

Cuban-born T&T coach Francisco Cruz added, “It is a feat to win a set against the USA no matter what kind of a team they bring. I am really impressed with the ability of their setter (Carlini) who is one of the best I have ever seen.”

In the day’s other early match, in Pool C, Brazil defeated Mexico in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-17.

Firstly, in the round-robin phase, T&T beat Chile 26-24, 25-22, 25-15 and then battled past Venezuela 25-22, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18 in their ninth place playoff.

In 2016, the Calypso Spikers ended in tenth place. T&T will Puerto Rico from 12 noon today.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

Costa Rica v Canada, 10 am T&T v Puerto Rico, 12 noon
Colombia v Brazil, 2 pm
Mexico v Argentina, 4 pm
Cuba v USA, 6 pm
Dominican Republic v Peru, 8 pm

Nekeisha Blake celebrated her 20th year in the sport of badminton by lifting her seventh Women’s Singles title at the Badminton ‘Nationals’ on Friday night at the Chinese Association in St Ann’s.

Afterwards, she said her victory was not so much about her opponents, but rather to prove to her naysayers that she will succeed in spite of attempts to make her fail.

Blake’s golden performance came at the expense of a clearly jaded Avril Plaza-Marcelle, who played four matches the day before and struggled to cope with the rigours of work during the tournament, long travels from Siparia and little rest after game-days, Plaza-Marcelle told Guardian Media Sports.

In the final Blake, a multiple times winner of national titles from junior to senior levels prevailed in straight sets 21-18, 21-12.

She said the victory was a bitter-sweet one for her having just returned from a ban that was unjustified, and being surrounded by people inside and outside the badminton association who wanted her to fail.

“This victory is a strong message that they cannot keep me down,” Blake said. Her penchant for winning was not questioned but she had to pay close attention to Plaza-Marcelle, who was on an unbeaten run in the tournament playing in three different categories including the mixed doubles and women’s doubles and the singles.

Plaza-Marcelle said the rigours of reaching home late every night and getting little rest and coping with the responsibilities of her job which requires her to be always on her feet and having to drive long distances to and from the venue on match-days, really took a toll on her in the final.

Plaza-Marcelle also missed out on a title in the women’s doubles when she paired with Blake for the final against the team of Leanna Castanada and Latoya Walrond, but they went down 21-15, 21-15.

However, she made amends in the mixed doubles finals by combining forces with Naim Mohammed to defeat the duo of Nathaniel Khillawan and Cheque Deboulet. The latter claimed the opening set 21-19, but Plaza-Marcelle and Mohammed stormed back and claimed the other two sets 21-15, 21-17 to celebrate the title.

Meanwhile, in a hotly contested men’s singles final Renaldo Sinanan turned back a battling Vance Juteram in straight sets 21-10, 21-12.

Sinanan’s crown came on his first attempt as a senior player, which he said felt great. “It really feels good to have won after enduring a tough time with school (CAPE) exam, changing from a Sangre Grande club to one in St Ann’s and making other sacrifices. It was tough, but I have won and it feels good,” he explained.

“I am now focusing on the CAREBACO in August where I can gain points and improve my international rankings,” Sinanan added. He said, however, performing at CAREBACO in Suriname will require me to pay my own expenses, as the country will not be sending a team.”

In other results, the team of Nathaniel Khillawan and Roger Moore defeated Alviero Alvada and Shiva Persad 21-15, 21-15 for the men’s doubles gold medal while Ronald Clarke rolled back the years with a classy 21-18, 21-13 triumph over Mc Kenzie Joseph in the Masters final.

WALTER ALIBEY
 

T&T boys and girls teams have advanced to yesterday’s semifinal round of their respective Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Youth Olympic Beach Volleyball Qualifiers at Eagle Beach, Oranjestad, Aruba after ending their round-robin groups undefeated.

In the girl’s three-team Pool A, T&T duo of Tysan Selvon and Britney Choon overcame Rose Etienne and Carolina Richard of Haiti. 21- 12, 13-21 and 15-11 before they also won another three-setter, 17-21, 21-16 and 15-10 over hosts representatives, Kayla Arends and Mali Rafini.

The Arubans took second in the pool after they defeated the Haitians 22-20, 21-10.

Group B of the girl’s competition was a close one as well as the three teams all won one game apiece and lost the other. Suriname’s Ketura Margaret and Xenna Luitjes finished on top with a point coefficient off 1.2361, Suriname lost to Jamaicans Selena Mitchell and Tavia Danielle Watson 21-10, 14-21, 12-15 and defeated US Virgin Island’s Khrysti Rosa and Tia Highes in a difficult match 21-7, 21-19.

Jamaica then fell to the pressure of the US Virgin Island 21-16 and 21-13.

In yesterday’s quarterfinals, US Virgin Islands faced Haiti and Aruba battled Jamaica ahead of the semifinals and top four playoffs.

The boy’s competition, saw T&T’s Daynte Stewart and Marley Davidson defeat Dean Kasdi and Brasley Soetowikromo of Suriname 21-16, 21-11 and Clifton Clarke and N’Gozi Thompson of Jamaica 21-12 and 21-18 to advance directly to the semifinals as Pool A winners.

Jamaica finished the group in second place with a 21-19 21-14 victory over Suriname.

Aruba’s Brian Howell Brokken and Raibiently Mercalina dominated the sand which was very pleasing to the local supporters.