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00:00:00 ♪ Stop pause, stay right there ♪
00:00:02 ♪ Don't move, show the spirit disabling ♪
00:00:05 ♪ Don't shake, show the spirit disabling ♪
00:00:08 ♪ Get ready, get ready, get ready ♪
00:00:12 ♪ Four, three, two, one ♪
00:00:12 ♪ Everybody on the way ♪
00:00:16 - And good morning Trinidad and Tobago.
00:00:17 I'm Marlon Hopkins and welcome to The Morning Edition.
00:00:20 It's Friday, 29th September, 2023.
00:00:23 And thank you very much for joining us this morning.
00:00:25 I hope that you had a good night
00:00:27 and that you're safe and sound with us this morning.
00:00:29 So get the tea, get the coffee, get something to eat
00:00:32 because we do have a very interesting program for you today.
00:00:36 Just to tell you that we also have the latest update
00:00:39 for you as to what transpired yesterday
00:00:42 considering the freak storm in Central
00:00:45 and South Trinidad, all right?
00:00:46 So look out for that.
00:00:47 Let's check out what's happening
00:00:48 in the Daily Express for you today.
00:00:50 Yeah, okay, check this out.
00:00:53 This is the front page of the Express this morning.
00:00:57 Like a real tornado, all right?
00:01:00 Let me get onto what the captions are saying.
00:01:04 Roofs ripped off, trees uprooted
00:01:08 as sudden high winds wreak havoc in South and Central.
00:01:12 And the captions are saying powerful wind,
00:01:15 a roof from a house on the Bonaventure Road, Gasparillo
00:01:18 was blown off by high winds yesterday.
00:01:21 And this is the house, yeah?
00:01:27 So it's a very serious situation in Central and South
00:01:30 and beware bank sleepers.
00:01:33 So at a news conference or at an event yesterday,
00:01:36 police officers would have warned members of the public
00:01:42 about these sleepers, people who are going to the bank
00:01:45 and people who are watching you and monitoring you.
00:01:48 Those are the people that the police are speaking about.
00:01:52 All right, and we do have some sport for you.
00:01:55 Army spoilers, AC Port of Spain,
00:02:00 hold defense force to draw in club championship.
00:02:02 You remember two days ago,
00:02:03 we were speaking about that match.
00:02:06 Defense force will need, excuse me,
00:02:08 to win their final match of the 2023
00:02:10 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup Championship Series
00:02:13 at home next Wednesday against MoCA FC
00:02:16 of the Dominican Republic
00:02:18 or face the possibility of elimination should they draw.
00:02:22 And I understand that this match,
00:02:24 according to the caption here, it ended in a draw, yeah?
00:02:29 All right, so it's time to remind you
00:02:33 about Trinbago, your nice feature.
00:02:34 Remember to participate,
00:02:35 WhatsApp your videos and images to 737-3778.
00:02:40 So we do have this image for you.
00:02:42 Yeah, that's a beautiful picture.
00:02:46 Angeli, yeah, you went beyond the call this morning, Angeli.
00:02:52 This is an absolutely beautiful picture
00:02:54 that can be blown up and put into your living room.
00:02:59 So when people come, they can speak about it
00:03:03 and you can tell us about the experience,
00:03:05 where you got this picture and so on, yeah?
00:03:08 A talking piece, yeah?
00:03:10 It's a beautiful picture.
00:03:11 Studio, what you call this?
00:03:13 Husband and wife, who tell you it's a male and female?
00:03:18 Put it back up, put it back up, let's see.
00:03:20 Husband and wife, who's the husband here?
00:03:23 I think the one at the bottom.
00:03:24 So thank you very much, Angeli.
00:03:28 All right, so as I said,
00:03:29 we do have a very interesting program for you today,
00:03:32 an informative program for you today.
00:03:34 So stay with us, we are coming back.
00:03:36 (upbeat music)
00:03:48 One good thing has led to another.
00:03:51 Make your taste buds go boom with Devon Digestive Bites.
00:03:55 An explosion of great taste.
00:04:00 Digestive Bites, make your taste buds go boom.
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00:04:16 Shemare iNatural.
00:04:19 Calling steel pan enthusiasts from around the globe.
00:04:22 The Patrons of the Arts Foundation,
00:04:24 in collaboration with the University of Trinidad and Tobago,
00:04:28 presents the 13th edition of its Artistic Bursary 2023.
00:04:33 This is your opportunity to pursue tertiary level study
00:04:37 in the steel pan at the world's premier steel pan academy,
00:04:40 the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
00:04:43 The top three finalists will share the US $10,000
00:04:47 in prize money that will go towards accommodation,
00:04:50 course materials, travel, and other related expenses
00:04:54 of the pan fellowship diploma or bachelor of fine arts degree.
00:04:58 Be fully immersed in the culture, geography,
00:05:02 and history of the birthplace of the steel pan.
00:05:05 The final round will be a globally televised
00:05:08 live audience event.
00:05:10 For more information, visit patronstt.com/bursary.
00:05:15 Applications close on 30th September, 2023.
00:05:19 - The Curip and the Coastal Empowerment Ministries
00:05:23 International of 27 McDonald Street, Curip, Trinidad,
00:05:26 West Indies presents Empowerment Through the World.
00:05:31 Come with us as we affect humanity
00:05:33 with the life transforming power
00:05:35 of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:05:38 We invite you to stay tuned and be blessed.
00:05:42 - Inspiration through song makes our souls rejoice.
00:05:50 ♪ Go out and tell the world of Jesus ♪
00:05:55 ♪ Tell of the wondrous things he has done ♪
00:05:58 - Inspirational dance is fueled by the spirit.
00:06:00 ♪ Go out and spread the gospel ♪
00:06:02 - Inspiration is found in the diversity of nation.
00:06:06 ♪ Go tell the world ♪
00:06:08 - Inspired word of God, direct from the heart.
00:06:12 - Join us every Monday morning at 8.30 a.m.
00:06:15 right here on TV6 for our many moments of inspiration.
00:06:19 ♪ And the savage plans of unscrupulous men ♪
00:06:25 ♪ Defile everything passed by ♪
00:06:28 ♪ Time is running out ♪
00:06:30 ♪ As we eat and drink species at the brink of the next thing ♪
00:06:35 ♪ And I think no one can deny ♪
00:06:38 ♪ That the price of progress is high ♪
00:06:41 ♪ Really, really, dying time ♪
00:06:45 - All right, everybody, so welcome back.
00:06:46 So as I showed you this picture this morning,
00:06:49 the situation in Gasparillo
00:06:52 following the freak storm yesterday.
00:06:55 Well, we do have on the line this morning,
00:06:58 counselor for Gasparillo, Ravi Puran Mirage.
00:07:01 Counselor, good morning.
00:07:02 - Good morning, sir.
00:07:05 - Yes, well, counselor, thank you very much
00:07:06 for speaking with us this morning.
00:07:08 I know that you were out yesterday
00:07:10 really looking at the destruction
00:07:14 in certain parts of Gasparillo.
00:07:16 What's the latest, sir?
00:07:17 - Well, so far, again, thank you all
00:07:21 for having me on the program this morning.
00:07:23 - Of course.
00:07:24 - The situation remains the same at this point.
00:07:26 We have at least 11 homes
00:07:29 which would have been affected by yesterday's freak storm,
00:07:33 I would call it.
00:07:34 This morning, well, yesterday,
00:07:37 with the disaster management unit
00:07:41 of the regional corporation,
00:07:43 Kugatamakita Power Regional Corporation,
00:07:45 we would have visited homes yesterday.
00:07:47 That initial assessment was completed.
00:07:51 Later on the evening,
00:07:52 the officers would have distributed mattresses
00:07:55 and coupling, which would have been in an effort
00:07:58 to secure the remain of the belongings.
00:08:02 We were not sure what the weather would have been like
00:08:03 for the rest of the night.
00:08:04 So we made that extra effort to ensure
00:08:07 that the remain of the belongings were in fact covered
00:08:10 and protected for the rest of the night.
00:08:13 This morning, we are looking at distributing
00:08:16 some food supplies to those affected residents.
00:08:20 - Councillor, let's specifically speak about the damage.
00:08:25 We're seeing pictures this morning,
00:08:27 and we would have seen video on the news last night
00:08:30 of roofs being blown off.
00:08:33 We're seeing trees being uprooted.
00:08:37 What more can you tell us about the damage?
00:08:39 Because we want to understand the plight
00:08:43 of the residents of Gasparillo this morning.
00:08:45 - Well, you are quite correct.
00:08:50 We have roofs that were,
00:08:52 at some homes, they were partially ripped off.
00:08:56 Some are totally ripped off.
00:08:58 As you said, trees were uprooted
00:09:00 at the Gasparillo Secondary School.
00:09:02 Those trees looked as though they were pruned,
00:09:05 and the branches were just left at the side of the trees.
00:09:08 Again, we saw, and the thing about it is that
00:09:14 we were not seeing old houses affected.
00:09:17 We saw new houses.
00:09:19 We saw houses where steel roofs were there,
00:09:22 and they looked as though they were pieces of paper
00:09:27 that was crumpled.
00:09:28 So I visited one home that roof was about six months old,
00:09:33 six months old.
00:09:36 So it tells you of the strength of the winds
00:09:40 that we would have experienced yesterday.
00:09:42 So again, the residents, they are really crying
00:09:46 out for help this morning.
00:09:48 We, at the regional corporation,
00:09:51 our responsibility, our efforts,
00:09:53 it stops at a certain point.
00:09:55 We would have offered that immediate,
00:10:00 that real-time response.
00:10:03 Now we need the follow-up on the part of the
00:10:07 Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.
00:10:11 Our responsibility stops at that point
00:10:13 where we would have delivered the mattresses,
00:10:15 we would have delivered the tapolins.
00:10:17 We have hamper distribution
00:10:19 that will take place this morning.
00:10:21 So that's where our responsibility stops.
00:10:23 So I wanna make a plea.
00:10:25 On behalf of those residents,
00:10:27 because from the footage that we are seeing there,
00:10:30 the devastation is real, it's a real-time situation,
00:10:34 and we don't want to have residents
00:10:36 waiting three weeks to a month to access these grants.
00:10:40 So I wanna use the opportunity to really make this plea,
00:10:44 this appeal to the Minister,
00:10:46 to the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services,
00:10:49 to come to the rescue of these residents.
00:10:51 We really, really need that assistance.
00:10:54 And if the Minister is willing to tour the area with me,
00:10:58 I am willing to, at least you will have this first-hand view
00:11:02 of what residents would have experienced yesterday.
00:11:05 - All right, Councillor, hold on to the line
00:11:07 for a little while longer.
00:11:08 We do have on the line at this time,
00:11:10 Councillor for Kareny East, Balmety, Gosine.
00:11:13 Councillor Gosine, good morning.
00:11:15 Councillor Gosine?
00:11:20 All right.
00:11:25 - Hello, good morning.
00:11:26 - Yes, Councillor Gosine,
00:11:27 what has the experience been in Kareny East?
00:11:31 Read the freak storm of yesterday.
00:11:33 - Due to the inclement weather affecting Trinidad yesterday,
00:11:38 one house within my electoral district,
00:11:41 which is Las Lomas San Rafael,
00:11:44 directly on the Wall Street Madras Road
00:11:48 was completely destroyed.
00:11:51 The roof was blown off,
00:11:53 and the wooden house fell to the ground.
00:11:55 So we have a family of seven persons,
00:11:59 one being an autistic child,
00:12:02 and a 12-year-old child, right,
00:12:04 an SCA without a home yesterday.
00:12:08 So the DMU would have done the necessary assessment.
00:12:12 They forwarded the information
00:12:14 to the National Commission for Self-Help
00:12:17 and the Ministry of Social Development,
00:12:19 you know, to get their intervention
00:12:21 from a social point of view.
00:12:23 So the corporation don't really have the resources
00:12:25 to build back a roof or a house for these people,
00:12:29 you know, and I'm calling
00:12:31 on the Minister of Social Development
00:12:33 to intervene in a case like this.
00:12:36 I remember from the past when these things happen,
00:12:40 the Ministry of Social Development
00:12:42 would have probably paid the rental
00:12:44 for three months to accommodate these families.
00:12:47 I'm hoping the same will be done
00:12:49 for this family at this point in time.
00:12:51 - Councillor, is it that only one household
00:12:56 would have been affected in Karani East?
00:13:00 - Yes, one household in my area.
00:13:03 In my electoral district,
00:13:05 they would have had some trees falling down and so on,
00:13:08 but just one household was affected.
00:13:11 - And what do these persons,
00:13:14 because you said, you mentioned seven persons
00:13:17 have been affected.
00:13:18 What do they need immediately?
00:13:21 - Well, they need a home.
00:13:24 They are staying by family at this time,
00:13:28 but I'm hoping, as I mentioned,
00:13:31 that in the past, we would have had, you know,
00:13:34 the ministry intervening and paying for the rental
00:13:39 for at least three months until, you know,
00:13:42 they get a little help from the ministry
00:13:45 because these things take time.
00:13:47 Although the information was forwarded
00:13:50 to the Ministry of Social Development and Self-Help,
00:13:53 you know, the process is a long one.
00:13:56 You don't really get help right away.
00:13:58 And I'm hoping that, you know,
00:14:00 the minister will intervene and probably, you know,
00:14:02 fast track this assistance for the people.
00:14:07 - Councillor Maraj, you said earlier
00:14:09 that 11 homes would have been affected in Gasparillo,
00:14:14 but how many people we're speaking about?
00:14:17 - 11 homes, we're speaking close to about 40 persons,
00:14:23 about 40 affected persons.
00:14:25 - Was any accommodation provided last evening?
00:14:28 - Well, most residents would have found lodging at relatives.
00:14:35 Some of the homes, the persons were still able
00:14:37 to utilize parts of the home.
00:14:40 We would have covered parts with tarpaulin
00:14:42 and the other part they were able to still utilize
00:14:45 to spend the night.
00:14:46 So there was no need for any shelter at that point.
00:14:51 - What do the residents need right now as we speak?
00:14:55 - Well, as my colleague would have mentioned,
00:14:59 we need that immediate intervention of the minister.
00:15:03 As she would have also mentioned,
00:15:05 it takes some time, up to three weeks
00:15:07 to have these grants processed.
00:15:09 This is a real-time situation
00:15:11 and we need that real-time effort to deliver these grants.
00:15:16 These people, they are the mercy of mother nature
00:15:19 at the moment, and they are also the mercy of the minister.
00:15:23 So we really want that, we really, really need
00:15:25 that intervention to fast-track these grants
00:15:28 so that persons can get back to their normal lives.
00:15:31 - Yeah, I suspect you have certain cases, Councillor Maraj,
00:15:35 where people's television sets and their stoves
00:15:41 and electrical equipment and their beds
00:15:45 would have been destroyed,
00:15:47 or their beds are wet this morning,
00:15:50 the equipment has been destroyed
00:15:52 because of the rain and so on, so they also need that.
00:15:55 - They also need that sort of assistance.
00:15:58 But the first move would be to protect the home
00:16:01 with regards to our roof,
00:16:03 and then we'll see about getting these things
00:16:04 because there are also grants available
00:16:07 to replace those items that would have been lost or damaged,
00:16:09 those electrical items or stove, refrigerators, beds,
00:16:12 that kind of thing, we have grants available
00:16:15 through the ministry as well,
00:16:16 again, it's the accessibility of those grants.
00:16:19 - Judging from the damage that we are seeing here
00:16:21 this morning, Councillor, it would seem that the damage
00:16:24 has run into, let's say, tens of thousands of dollars?
00:16:28 Or even more?
00:16:30 - We have crossed over hundreds, we have crossed over.
00:16:33 Definitely a hundred thousand and down, definitely.
00:16:37 - How have the cleanup efforts been going?
00:16:40 - Well, so far we have a great community effort,
00:16:45 we have residents coming out,
00:16:47 but I must pay, or I must commend
00:16:50 the disaster management unit of the Kugatawa-Titawpa
00:16:53 Regional Corporation, and our chairman,
00:16:56 Councillor Ryan Rampersad.
00:16:58 This morning we have an exercise
00:17:00 at the Gatsby School, a secondary school,
00:17:02 our team will be out in full force
00:17:05 to remove those branches from the car park
00:17:07 so that school can return to its normal state
00:17:10 at the Gatsby School, a secondary school.
00:17:12 Residents have been coming out,
00:17:14 we had a volunteer who came out to that backhoe yesterday,
00:17:16 would have removed parts of our roof from the main road.
00:17:19 Again, the community is, it's a close community,
00:17:22 so we have that sort of camaraderie,
00:17:24 but again, our disaster management unit,
00:17:27 they have been on the ball, I must commend them,
00:17:30 I must wish God's blessings on those guys.
00:17:34 I don't wanna call names,
00:17:35 the chairman of our disaster management unit,
00:17:38 Olamat Anil Kamal, he was on the ground with me,
00:17:40 thank you very much.
00:17:42 I mean, these guys really, really went out of their way
00:17:46 to make sure that the residents would have received
00:17:48 that we did that initial assessment,
00:17:50 that residents would have received
00:17:52 that initial immediate support.
00:17:55 So thank you very much to our DMU,
00:17:58 and the chairman of that committee,
00:18:01 disaster management committee, Olamat Anil Kamal.
00:18:04 - Councillor Ghosain, is there anything else
00:18:06 you'd like to add?
00:18:06 - I believe coming out of this budget,
00:18:11 I would like that more money be allocated
00:18:15 to the disaster board at the corporation,
00:18:18 whereby we can be more effective
00:18:20 in reaching out to these families and cases like this.
00:18:24 We'll be able to probably provide hampers
00:18:27 and provide labor and equipment when necessary,
00:18:31 once material is provided by the ministry of,
00:18:36 the self-help commission, sorry.
00:18:38 We are never prepared for these things,
00:18:42 and I think more should be given.
00:18:44 - Councillor Maraj, judging from the video
00:18:49 that we are seeing here, we're seeing it would appear
00:18:51 it looks to be telephone lines or power lines
00:18:55 on the roadway.
00:18:57 Has the, or have the utilities responded
00:19:00 in a timely fashion?
00:19:02 - Definitely.
00:19:05 I want to also comment the team from TNTEC.
00:19:09 Yesterday we had at least three or four trucks in the area,
00:19:14 and I think power was restored by around 5.30,
00:19:17 six o'clock somewhere around there.
00:19:19 So kudos to TNTEC and their very, very quick response.
00:19:23 They were on the ground.
00:19:24 We had at least three or four teams
00:19:26 working simultaneously to restore power
00:19:29 and to remove those lines that would have been causing
00:19:31 any inconvenience or sort of hazard to the residents.
00:19:35 - Are the roads passable once again?
00:19:39 'Cause I know that there was a level of debris there.
00:19:41 - Right, the roads are passable, as I would have mentioned.
00:19:45 We got a volunteer with a backboard.
00:19:47 He came out and he would have removed
00:19:48 the parts of the roof, the galvanized sheets,
00:19:51 the pieces of lumber that was on the road.
00:19:53 So yes, the roads are passable.
00:19:55 - So I get the feeling, counselor,
00:19:57 by what you're telling us this morning,
00:19:59 that the authorities have responded,
00:20:01 the situation is under control,
00:20:03 and I suspect people have already received help.
00:20:07 And as you traverse the community today,
00:20:10 more help is expected to come.
00:20:12 - Definitely, definitely.
00:20:15 We have the Business Association of Gaspold,
00:20:18 they have come forward to offer some assistance
00:20:20 with regards to supplying food hampers.
00:20:23 As my colleague would have also mentioned,
00:20:25 we don't have that available at the regional corporation.
00:20:28 We don't have that available.
00:20:30 So I would want to second that motion,
00:20:33 where she would have called for additional funding,
00:20:38 additional funding for the regional corporations
00:20:41 in this new budget that we are going to witness.
00:20:46 We really, really need that funding.
00:20:48 Without the proper tools, without the necessary tools,
00:20:51 we cannot do our jobs.
00:20:53 Our teams are on demand,
00:20:56 and we really, really need that additional funding
00:20:59 if we are to deliver to our budgets,
00:21:01 if we are to really respond to persons in this time of need.
00:21:06 As she would have mentioned, we don't plan for this,
00:21:08 but we need to be prepared as a regional corporation
00:21:12 to come out and to deal with these situations properly,
00:21:17 effectively and efficiently.
00:21:19 - Have cleanup efforts gone well at the Gasparillo School?
00:21:22 Because I think that you mentioned earlier
00:21:23 that you expect classes to resume today.
00:21:26 So have cleanup efforts been going well?
00:21:29 - Well, we will be starting that effort this morning
00:21:31 at around 7.30.
00:21:34 The teams will come out,
00:21:35 equipment from the regional corporation will be there.
00:21:38 We have been lacing with the vice principal,
00:21:40 Mr. Baksh at the school.
00:21:41 So we have a proper arrangement
00:21:43 with regards to dealing with the debris
00:21:45 while they operate the normal operation of school
00:21:48 will continue.
00:21:49 - Has there been any damage to the institution?
00:21:52 - Not from my knowledge, not from my knowledge.
00:21:55 Just the trees, the branch,
00:21:57 actually there was damage to one vehicle
00:22:00 that was in the car park.
00:22:01 The branch would have fallen onto the vehicle
00:22:04 causing severe damage.
00:22:07 - Yeah.
00:22:08 Councillor Gosain, any injuries in your area?
00:22:11 - No, no, thank God, none so far, none,
00:22:15 that I've heard of, no.
00:22:16 - All right.
00:22:17 Councillor Maraj, anything else you'd like to add
00:22:18 before you leave us this morning?
00:22:20 - Again, I just wanna make that call.
00:22:23 I just wanna make that call.
00:22:24 Thank you all for having us on the program
00:22:26 so that the national public could hear what we need,
00:22:30 what we require,
00:22:31 and what persons in Gaspard
00:22:32 would have experienced yesterday
00:22:34 and the kind of support that we need.
00:22:36 And I hope that the minister would really, really hear us
00:22:39 on behalf of my budget,
00:22:40 on behalf of those who would have been affected yesterday.
00:22:43 Please let us have those grants available
00:22:45 as soon as possible
00:22:46 so these persons can get back to their normal life.
00:22:49 - Yeah, Councillors Gosain and Maraj,
00:22:51 thank you very much for speaking with us this morning.
00:22:53 We do appreciate it.
00:22:55 - Thank you. - Thank you.
00:22:55 - All right, bye for now.
00:22:57 So it's time for a very quick break.
00:22:58 We are coming back.
00:23:00 (upbeat music)
00:23:02 (upbeat music)
00:23:05 (dramatic music)
00:23:13 - So you've decided to speak up
00:23:19 because you realize staying silent
00:23:20 will cost this country millions
00:23:22 and you want to do your part.
00:23:24 But you may ask,
00:23:25 what is the OPR's role when I speak up?
00:23:28 Well, let's see.
00:23:29 We begin with stage one,
00:23:31 the handling of your complaint.
00:23:32 First, the whistleblowing reporting officer
00:23:34 validates and assesses the urgency and impact
00:23:37 of the whistleblowing complaint.
00:23:39 He or she must ensure the details
00:23:41 of the complaint are clear.
00:23:43 This includes information such as the dates and times,
00:23:45 the location, if there are any witnesses, and so on.
00:23:49 Then the whistleblowing officer confirms
00:23:52 the reliability of the information.
00:23:54 Now, depending on the information
00:23:55 given within your whistleblowing complaint,
00:23:57 it may be forwarded to a more relevant authority,
00:24:00 such as the commissioner of police
00:24:02 or director of public prosecutions.
00:24:04 And not because you decided to speak up
00:24:06 and make a whistleblowing complaint.
00:24:08 Should you expect the alleged person
00:24:10 to get lock up the next day,
00:24:13 it doesn't work like that.
00:24:15 The OPR will be guided by due process,
00:24:18 which takes us to stage two,
00:24:20 investigating your complaint.
00:24:22 How is the complaint investigated?
00:24:24 Within five working days of receipt of the complaint,
00:24:26 the whistleblowing reporting officer will
00:24:28 acknowledge receipt of the complaint,
00:24:30 update the whistleblowing log,
00:24:32 and apply a file ID to each claim.
00:24:34 Conduct an initial assessment of the complaint
00:24:36 to determine the next course of action.
00:24:38 The whistleblowing reporting officer will then
00:24:41 investigate and gather additional information.
00:24:44 Document the findings of the investigation.
00:24:47 Then forward the findings of the investigation
00:24:50 to the chairman of the whistleblowing committee.
00:24:52 Your complaint, having reached the whistleblowing committee,
00:24:55 is now in the final stage, stage three,
00:24:58 concluding the investigation and findings.
00:25:01 Upon receipt of the report from
00:25:03 the whistleblowing reporting officer,
00:25:05 the whistleblowing committee reviews the findings
00:25:07 and recommendations of the investigation.
00:25:10 The committee then reports any legal or regulatory
00:25:13 non-compliance to the OPR board
00:25:16 and/or relevant governmental and/or
00:25:19 law enforcement authorities to ensure
00:25:21 corrective action is taken where appropriate.
00:25:24 And upon conclusion of the whistleblowing committee's
00:25:26 review of the report,
00:25:28 the whistleblowing reporting officer shall report
00:25:30 the outcome of the investigation to the whistleblower
00:25:34 in writing once the report was not made anonymously.
00:25:37 Millions down the drain should not be
00:25:39 the norm in Trinidad and Tobago.
00:25:41 Let's all work together to protect our public purse,
00:25:44 bringing more accountability and transparency
00:25:47 to public procurement.
00:25:49 So, we encourage you, don't be afraid to speak up.
00:25:53 As a whistleblower, you are completely protected
00:25:55 under section 40 of the Public Procurement
00:25:58 and Disposal of Public Property Act 2015.
00:26:01 But before you speak up,
00:26:03 please read our whistleblowing guidelines
00:26:05 at www.oprtt.org/whistleblowing.
00:26:10 For more information on how to speak up,
00:26:12 call 1-868-224-5707.
00:26:17 (upbeat music)
00:26:27 (upbeat music)
00:26:29 - All right, so welcome back everyone.
00:26:35 So, the Endometriosis Association is doing a fundraiser
00:26:39 to help raise awareness and support its membership.
00:26:41 So, to tell us more, our President Amber Grant
00:26:44 and Amanda Rambaran-Sukhraj,
00:26:47 who is the organizer of the event.
00:26:49 Ladies, thank you very much for coming this morning.
00:26:52 - Good morning and thank you for having us here.
00:26:54 - All right, well, let's speak about the issue
00:26:56 of endometriosis.
00:26:57 How serious is that in Trinidad and Tobago?
00:27:01 - So, in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:27:02 I can actually say worldwide,
00:27:04 you know, it's one in 10 women that actually has it
00:27:06 and you already have two women on your set that have it.
00:27:10 Right?
00:27:11 So, endometriosis is a disease.
00:27:13 The bad thing about misinformation
00:27:16 that is given for endometriosis is that,
00:27:19 is the lining of the womb is found in other parts
00:27:22 of the body, which is wrong.
00:27:23 That is totally wrong information.
00:27:25 Endometriosis is tissues found in other organs
00:27:28 that are mimicking the endometrium tissues
00:27:31 that are found in your womb.
00:27:33 So, what happens every month,
00:27:34 when the hormones flood your system,
00:27:36 those tissues that are mimicking will start to form scars
00:27:40 around this organ that it is in.
00:27:43 And of course, that causes a lot of pain.
00:27:46 There's painful intercourse.
00:27:48 Sometimes we have migraines.
00:27:50 It's a whole body disease.
00:27:52 And what we are realizing many times,
00:27:54 and it's not only in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:27:56 many times women throughout the world
00:27:58 are misdiagnosed for years with it.
00:28:01 - What are some of the symptoms?
00:28:03 - Well, she touched on a few there.
00:28:05 You know, I think the main symptom
00:28:08 that if you ask any endo warrior,
00:28:10 which is a term we like to use,
00:28:12 because I think you have to be a warrior
00:28:13 to navigate this disease, is pain.
00:28:16 It's a lot of pain, and not only pain at,
00:28:19 let's say, that time of the month,
00:28:21 it's pain, can be pain throughout the month.
00:28:23 You know, so it really needs to be treated
00:28:26 as your entire body, because it's not just pelvic pain.
00:28:30 It could be any way in your body that you experience pain,
00:28:34 because this tissue can grow anywhere
00:28:36 in your body, essentially.
00:28:38 Your bladder, bowels, kidney, lungs.
00:28:42 So that's so scary to think that that could be happening.
00:28:46 You know, so that's the thing.
00:28:48 - Let's speak a little bit,
00:28:50 and I don't expect you to speak about it
00:28:52 in terms medically,
00:28:54 but just your experience
00:29:00 and the association's experience with this whole issue.
00:29:05 Is it that young women are being affected also,
00:29:10 older women, teenagers?
00:29:13 Who is this affecting?
00:29:15 - It can affect anyone.
00:29:17 So doctors tend to tell you, you know,
00:29:20 if you're 16, 17, or even 12, 13,
00:29:23 and you're now starting your period,
00:29:25 or you're too young to have it,
00:29:26 or someone in their 50s, now you're too old to have it.
00:29:29 It can affect anyone at any age, at any stage.
00:29:33 It can affect your race.
00:29:34 It doesn't, it's regardless of race, color, creed, age,
00:29:38 or anything like that.
00:29:39 - It doesn't discriminate.
00:29:40 - It's correct.
00:29:41 It's an all-inclusive disease.
00:29:43 (laughing)
00:29:44 - All right.
00:29:45 Okay, it's good to put it that way.
00:29:47 - It is, yeah.
00:29:48 - But let's speak a little bit about the fundraiser,
00:29:51 because I just wanted to give people,
00:29:55 lay the foundation as to how serious this is,
00:29:59 how it is affecting women in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:30:01 and as you said, across the world.
00:30:03 So let's speak a little bit about the fundraiser.
00:30:05 - Right, so the fundraiser, it was an idea I had.
00:30:09 Dealing with endometriosis,
00:30:12 I think one of the most important things is early diagnosis.
00:30:17 - Yes.
00:30:17 - Early diagnosis can only come
00:30:19 from raising sufficient awareness.
00:30:23 I think you can ask, do a poll out on the street
00:30:25 and ask people, have you ever heard of endometriosis?
00:30:27 And they might say no,
00:30:29 yet it is as common as, let's say, diabetes, asthma.
00:30:34 It is probably more prevalent than those in the society,
00:30:37 but yet people have never heard of it.
00:30:39 - Of course.
00:30:40 - So that speaks to you in terms of how underfunded,
00:30:43 under-researched, and the awareness isn't there
00:30:47 for something like this.
00:30:48 So Below the Belt, it's a documentary
00:30:51 that was produced, co-produced by Hillary Clinton
00:30:54 in the United States,
00:30:56 and it's a groundbreaking documentary on endometriosis.
00:31:00 It follows four women, four very different women,
00:31:03 different stages of what they're going through.
00:31:05 - Their experiences.
00:31:06 - And their journey with endometriosis.
00:31:08 Now of course, this is done on the backdrop
00:31:10 of the US health system,
00:31:12 but it's not so different from our own health system
00:31:15 and what women in Trinidad would experience
00:31:18 when navigating endometriosis.
00:31:20 So when the movie came out, I thought to myself,
00:31:23 okay, this is a really good opportunity to get this movie,
00:31:26 sorry, I'm saying movie, documentary shown in Trinidad,
00:31:29 and try to raise awareness,
00:31:31 raise funds for the local association.
00:31:34 So that's when I contacted Amber,
00:31:36 and we got this thing rolling,
00:31:37 and let's say, okay, let's do this.
00:31:39 So that's really the premise of what this is about.
00:31:42 - All right, so is it that there's going to be
00:31:45 a particular day and venue and time
00:31:48 that this documentary is going to be on show?
00:31:50 - Yes, it is this Sunday from six to nine.
00:31:53 It will be held at Estate 101,
00:31:56 that lovely facility for outdoors movie screening.
00:32:00 But not only will we be showing the documentary,
00:32:04 we have a panel of doctors
00:32:06 who will be able to do a question and answer segment.
00:32:09 So what we are encouraging persons to do,
00:32:11 any questions you have regarding endometriosis,
00:32:13 the treatment of, 'cause one thing I need to put in,
00:32:16 endometriosis is an incurable disease.
00:32:19 Contrary to popular belief, right?
00:32:22 Hysterectomy does not cure it,
00:32:24 hormonal treatment does not cure it,
00:32:25 changing your diet does not cure it,
00:32:27 you just manage, you learn to manage your symptoms.
00:32:29 So this is why we're encouraging persons that come out,
00:32:32 let's have that question and answer segment,
00:32:34 get all the information you need so that those who--
00:32:36 - The correct information.
00:32:37 - And correct information on that,
00:32:39 so that those who may think they have the disease
00:32:42 will have a way to navigate
00:32:43 on finding the right medical practitioner
00:32:46 who will be able to take them on that endogeny.
00:32:48 - Yeah.
00:32:49 Is there a cost to attend?
00:32:52 - Yes, the tickets are $200,
00:32:55 and it includes a complimentary drink and dessert,
00:32:57 and of course, all proceeds from this event
00:33:00 go directly to the Trinatomago Endometriosis Association
00:33:04 so that they can use funds to raise more awareness,
00:33:07 because that's really the key here.
00:33:09 - Yeah, and let's speak a little bit
00:33:10 about the work of your association.
00:33:13 - Right, so what we do, it's a support group.
00:33:16 We are members of the World Endometriosis Organization,
00:33:19 so any information that we are giving to our members
00:33:22 come from our parent body, right?
00:33:24 So we are 11 years old,
00:33:27 we have members from persons
00:33:29 who have been diagnosed officially,
00:33:31 those who believe they may have it,
00:33:33 and as well as support, like family members.
00:33:35 What we do, as Amanda's rightly saying,
00:33:38 we raise awareness, we have a monthly session
00:33:41 called Spotlight Endometriosis,
00:33:42 where we have experts or advocates
00:33:44 who come to give information to our members,
00:33:47 find ways to support as well.
00:33:49 So March is World Endometriosis Month,
00:33:52 and we try to do activities
00:33:54 with our other endosisters worldwide
00:33:58 to, again, raise more awareness on the issue.
00:34:02 - And how does one become associated with the association,
00:34:06 become a member?
00:34:06 - Yes, so we have a link on our website.
00:34:10 You can look for us on Instagram, Facebook,
00:34:13 and there's a link that you can click,
00:34:15 and once you click that link, we will get it,
00:34:18 we will send you a welcome letter
00:34:20 with your registration number, membership number,
00:34:23 and instantly you become part of the support group,
00:34:25 'cause our support group, I can tell you,
00:34:27 it's a safe space for our members.
00:34:29 You want to cry in that group, you can cry.
00:34:31 You want to cuss the disease,
00:34:34 you can cuss the disease if you want.
00:34:35 - You can support the cussing, right?
00:34:37 That's your last resort.
00:34:38 - That's the last resort.
00:34:39 - That's your last resort.
00:34:40 - Not on air, actually.
00:34:41 - Not on air, correct.
00:34:42 But it's a space where,
00:34:44 because it takes a toll on your mental health as well,
00:34:47 because you're shouting,
00:34:48 "This is what is going on with me.
00:34:49 "This is what I'm experiencing,"
00:34:51 nobody wants to listen,
00:34:52 we allow you that safe space to just let it out.
00:34:56 And in that space as well,
00:34:57 we give some support to our members,
00:35:01 looking at different foods they can try,
00:35:03 different herbs they can use
00:35:04 that can help manage the pain as well.
00:35:07 - Yeah.
00:35:08 Do we have the right infrastructure in place
00:35:12 as it relates to medical institutions and so on
00:35:15 to help women inflicted by this?
00:35:18 - So that has been a challenge in Trinidad and Tobago,
00:35:21 but again, it's not unique to Trinidad and Tobago.
00:35:25 We do have some doctors that are experts,
00:35:29 and I use that term very cautiously.
00:35:33 We have those who probably have an interest in it,
00:35:36 but are not actually well-qualified to deal with it,
00:35:41 because the way you treat with endometriosis medically,
00:35:45 not all doctors do it.
00:35:46 So most doctors prefer to burn out the lesions
00:35:51 that they find,
00:35:52 which is not the gold standard.
00:35:53 The gold standard is staccato, which we call ablation.
00:35:56 We are hoping that we can get more traction
00:35:59 in the medical field for doctors to realize that,
00:36:02 hey, this is something that probably I need to consider,
00:36:06 especially when it comes to your patient population.
00:36:08 But I'm happy to say,
00:36:09 I mean, this is a little plug for the group.
00:36:11 Some UW students actually did some research
00:36:14 into endometriosis very recently,
00:36:16 and their paper was accepted to be presented
00:36:18 at a health conference.
00:36:19 And for me as the president,
00:36:22 that shows that, yes,
00:36:24 the young persons that are coming up in the medical field
00:36:27 are hearing about endometriosis
00:36:28 and are trying to see how best they can
00:36:31 effect change within the medical fraternity
00:36:34 for our patients.
00:36:35 - Amanda, let's remind people again
00:36:37 about the event this weekend.
00:36:38 - October 1st, Sunday, it starts at six.
00:36:41 Well, you can arrive at six,
00:36:43 the movie itself, it starts at seven,
00:36:44 but of course you wanna come at six,
00:36:46 get your complimentary drink,
00:36:47 see if you wanna get some food at S8101,
00:36:50 take in the scenes, because it's a lovely venue.
00:36:53 Get your seats, we're gonna start the screening at seven,
00:36:56 and then we have that special Q&A segment
00:36:58 with those doctors lined up
00:37:00 for immediately following the screening.
00:37:02 So this is just not only for patients of endometriosis,
00:37:06 their family members, and also the medical fraternity,
00:37:09 because that is something that is important.
00:37:11 Seeing this documentary and realizing that,
00:37:14 hey, we need to do more in terms of research
00:37:18 and honing in skills to actually deal with the disease,
00:37:21 all of that is covered in this documentary.
00:37:23 - Yeah, Ms. Grant, you saw how Amanda,
00:37:27 when she said the drink coach, she--
00:37:29 - No, I did not.
00:37:30 (laughing)
00:37:33 - Ms. Grant, we have about 30 seconds again.
00:37:34 Anything else you'd like to add?
00:37:36 - No, I just want to encourage women,
00:37:38 sometimes you have to advocate for yourself.
00:37:40 You're by a doctor and you realize you're not being heard,
00:37:43 he's ignoring you, find another doctor,
00:37:45 talk to another endo-warrior.
00:37:46 She may be able to guide you to another doctor
00:37:48 that worked for her.
00:37:50 Now, one thing we tell patients,
00:37:51 because this doctor worked for you,
00:37:52 it will work for someone else.
00:37:54 So the endo-journey, it's unique to one person,
00:37:57 it's not a one size fits all.
00:38:00 So talk, be your own advocate, push for change.
00:38:04 Eventually someone is going to listen.
00:38:06 - Ladies, it was a pleasure speaking with you all,
00:38:08 and thank you very much for educating us
00:38:11 about this very important issue.
00:38:11 - We hope to see you Sunday.
00:38:13 - Yeah.
00:38:14 (laughing)
00:38:15 Well, as you say, they drink.
00:38:17 (laughing)
00:38:19 - Ladies, thanks again.
00:38:20 We are going to a very short break, we're coming back.
00:38:23 (upbeat music)
00:38:25 (upbeat music)
00:38:34 - Yes, he said he would give us the contract,
00:38:38 but he had to fix it up.
00:38:40 It look official now.
00:38:41 Plus we could charge them more.
00:38:43 It's not his money, it's government money.
00:38:46 - So we eat our food and he eat our food,
00:38:49 and you know nobody is going to say nothing.
00:38:51 - I'm sure like me, you are tired of hearing
00:38:57 the horror stories of overspending and corrupt practices
00:39:01 by public bodies that run rampant in our country.
00:39:04 And like me, you too want to speak up,
00:39:06 but you may be wondering, what can I speak up on?
00:39:09 Bribery, corruption and fraud,
00:39:15 coercive and collusive practices
00:39:17 aimed at unfairly influencing on others actions.
00:39:21 Any violation of the PPDPP Act 2015 and or its regulations.
00:39:26 Gross mismanagement, impropriety and misconduct
00:39:31 involving the use of public funds.
00:39:33 Victimization of a whistleblower
00:39:36 or a person related to a whistleblower.
00:39:39 Any activity which undermines the OPR's mandate.
00:39:43 Now you may ask, how do I speak up?
00:39:46 Remember I told you,
00:39:47 the OPR's whistleblowing system is confidential.
00:39:50 You can remain anonymous if you wish and it's secure.
00:39:53 And you can choose to speak up
00:39:55 in one of the four following ways.
00:39:57 Like me, you may choose to use
00:39:59 the 24/7 Whistleblowers Hotline,
00:40:02 which features a worldwide toll-free number
00:40:05 with no call ID and voice messaging activation.
00:40:08 Another way you can choose to speak up
00:40:10 is in person or walk in.
00:40:12 That's right, you don't even need an appointment.
00:40:14 Simply walk in and speak in confidence
00:40:17 with the whistleblower reporting officer
00:40:19 or designate either with or without
00:40:22 your legal representative present.
00:40:24 A third way you can choose to speak up is in writing,
00:40:28 which can be either typed or written in legible handwriting
00:40:31 in English only using the designated form
00:40:34 at www.oprtt.org/whistleblowing.
00:40:38 Lastly, you can choose to speak up
00:40:41 using the 24/7 online platform
00:40:43 hosted by Whistleblower Security Inc. and overseas provider.
00:40:47 Here, English and non-English speakers
00:40:50 can lodge their complaint anonymously.
00:40:52 Any complaint file can only be seen
00:40:54 by the whistleblowing reporting officer.
00:40:57 This ensures that your identity is protected.
00:41:00 Now, before you speak up,
00:41:02 please read our whistleblowing guidelines thoroughly
00:41:05 at www.oprtt.org/whistleblowing.
00:41:11 Now, I know that we all want a better Trinidad and Tobago,
00:41:14 but to get that, we must speak up.
00:41:16 Doing so would lead to more accountability,
00:41:18 more transparency, and less wastage of public money.
00:41:21 For more information on how you can speak up,
00:41:24 visit www.oprtt.org/whistleblowing
00:41:29 or call 1-868-224-5707.
00:41:35 (upbeat music)
00:41:38 ♪ Everywhere we go, people always agree ♪
00:41:41 ♪ That we are the life of the party ♪
00:41:45 ♪ Representing we learn infectiously ♪
00:41:48 ♪ I-O, I-O, I-O, I-O ♪
00:41:51 ♪ If you have some of we in your DNA ♪
00:41:55 ♪ Then you could become a celebrity ♪
00:41:59 - And welcome back.
00:42:00 So, JMMB Bank is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
00:42:04 To tell us more is Chief Executive Officer, Sean Moses.
00:42:07 Mr. Moses, good morning.
00:42:08 - Good morning, good morning, sir.
00:42:10 Good morning, Trinidad and Tobago.
00:42:11 - Yeah, and thank you very much for joining us, Mr. CEO.
00:42:14 Well, how are you celebrating?
00:42:16 - We're celebrating with a month of activities.
00:42:20 We wanted to focus on giving back to our communities,
00:42:23 our clients, and our team members.
00:42:26 We had a number of initiatives,
00:42:28 and the one I'm most proud of
00:42:30 is the initiative called Sponsor a Student,
00:42:33 where we selected two needy students
00:42:36 and we sponsored their entry into secondary school.
00:42:40 So we have bought them laptops,
00:42:44 given them school grants,
00:42:46 bought their uniforms,
00:42:48 and opened accounts with JMMB for them.
00:42:51 And this is an initiative where we will support them
00:42:54 every year, as long as they require it,
00:42:57 and as long as their grades are at an acceptable level.
00:43:02 And this initiative, we're extremely proud of it
00:43:04 as something we have launched to commemorate
00:43:06 that 10-year anniversary,
00:43:08 and we will be expanding it next year,
00:43:10 where we will be opening it up
00:43:12 to a greater number of participants.
00:43:15 So we do hope to have a greater impact
00:43:17 on the youth of the nation through education.
00:43:22 We also had a couple of initiatives
00:43:23 where we did free pre-screening from a health perspective,
00:43:28 where we partnered with a couple of health firms,
00:43:32 and we did diabetic screening, high blood pressure,
00:43:36 eye tests, et cetera,
00:43:37 because you know your health is your wealth.
00:43:39 We're really happy with this month of initiatives,
00:43:42 and we think all were well received from our clients
00:43:46 and the community at large.
00:43:47 - Mr. Moses, how do these students become eligible
00:43:51 for these scholarships, if I can describe them as that?
00:43:56 - Sure, so next year we will be opening it up
00:43:59 for applicants to submit proposals to the bank,
00:44:02 and we will review it.
00:44:03 We have a committee that will review.
00:44:05 It's the needy students.
00:44:07 So when we do their means test
00:44:09 and look at their performance,
00:44:11 get feedback from their teachers, et cetera,
00:44:14 we will make an assessment and select the candidates
00:44:16 that we believe most need this scholarship.
00:44:20 So this year we did not open it up to the general public.
00:44:23 We had direct conversations with schools
00:44:26 in our communities, and we selected some candidates.
00:44:29 But I do expect next year we'll have
00:44:32 a lot more marketing behind it,
00:44:34 and there will be a lot more applicants.
00:44:36 So we look forward to putting forward their submissions,
00:44:40 and we look forward to supporting them
00:44:42 throughout their school life.
00:44:44 - Yeah, Mr. Moses, I was looking
00:44:46 at the TV6 News last evening.
00:44:48 I saw you there, and I saw you speaking about
00:44:51 that the support for JMMB in Trinidad and Tobago
00:44:56 and other parts of the Caribbean, it's growing.
00:44:59 - It is, it is.
00:45:01 We are very much a growing institution.
00:45:03 And you may have noticed a campaign recently
00:45:09 to highlight that JMMB is a real bank.
00:45:12 When we get feedback from clients,
00:45:14 there seem to have been a little bit of confusion
00:45:17 based on the many entities we have in Trinidad at present
00:45:21 that fall under the JMMB umbrella,
00:45:24 because we presently have JMMB Bank,
00:45:26 JMMB Investments, JMMB Express Finance,
00:45:29 and JMMB Securities.
00:45:31 So I think clients feel a little bit unsure
00:45:34 about the services that JMMB offers.
00:45:37 So we wanted to make it clear that JMMB is a real bank,
00:45:41 and we are here with all products and services
00:45:44 to partner with you throughout your financial journey,
00:45:48 and really to keep your best interests at heart.
00:45:51 And some of us that may have seen those videos
00:45:54 would have seen clients speaking highly
00:45:57 and very positive about the bank.
00:45:59 And I want to say that that message was not scripted,
00:46:02 that was impromptu, those were random persons
00:46:05 we picked off of the street,
00:46:07 and they provided their feedback.
00:46:08 So I am of the firm opinion that we can move
00:46:12 from saying that JMMB is a real bank
00:46:15 to not waste on that feedback.
00:46:16 I'm proud to say that JMMB is the real bank
00:46:20 for people in Trinidad and Tobago
00:46:22 that want exceptional service.
00:46:24 - Yeah, Mr. Moses, I also get the feeling
00:46:27 that that campaign that you all have launched,
00:46:30 it gives the impression of a more friendly approach
00:46:35 by the way that your bank will be treating customers
00:46:40 instead of this black and white approach
00:46:42 as it relates to the way that some banks operate.
00:46:47 - Yes, that is definitely the case.
00:46:50 Our founder, June Duncan,
00:46:51 would have established this organization
00:46:53 under the vision of financial partnership
00:46:56 and financial inclusion.
00:46:58 We really want to support the communities
00:47:00 to ensure that everyone has a chance to get access
00:47:05 to an account, to loans, to anything that they may require.
00:47:09 And we try to come from a place of flexibility
00:47:12 to work with our clients to ensure we are able
00:47:15 to help them achieve their financial goals
00:47:17 and financial dreams.
00:47:19 It's really a rewarding experience
00:47:22 to help that person acquire that first vehicle
00:47:25 or acquire that first home or construct their home.
00:47:28 It really is a rewarding experience.
00:47:31 And we really try our best at JMMB
00:47:33 to make that experience an amazing one for clients.
00:47:37 - Yeah, and Mr. Moses, you know about this friendly approach
00:47:40 from JMMB, you know people going to come to you
00:47:42 for some forex, eh?
00:47:44 - Yes, sir, we know that's a hot topic at the moment.
00:47:48 The forex situation is definitely something
00:47:50 we pay great attention to at the moment.
00:47:52 And we try our best to support our clients
00:47:55 as far as we can.
00:47:56 So yes.
00:47:58 - Yeah, I couldn't let you get away, Mr. Moses,
00:48:02 without asking that question.
00:48:04 Tell us about some of the other initiatives,
00:48:08 RE, the 10th anniversary.
00:48:10 - Yes, so we had a couple of client events.
00:48:14 We have been treating our clients,
00:48:16 when they visited our branches,
00:48:18 they would have received treats over the last week,
00:48:21 donuts, cakes, et cetera, just to give back
00:48:23 because we really appreciate their business.
00:48:26 We really appreciate their support over the years.
00:48:29 We are thankful for their business
00:48:31 and we look forward to partnering with them
00:48:33 as we move forward.
00:48:35 So it really has been an amazing month.
00:48:37 We did have our client event as well,
00:48:40 which was again, well-received.
00:48:44 So all in all, this month of celebration
00:48:47 was an excellent initiative
00:48:48 and we look forward to doing it again in the future.
00:48:50 And that sponsor student initiative
00:48:53 is a big one for us at JMMB.
00:48:56 - Yeah, and let's speak a little bit about the future
00:48:59 after these celebrations.
00:49:02 What can your customers look forward to
00:49:06 as it relates to the future?
00:49:08 - Yes, great question.
00:49:09 So we are focusing on growing our footprints,
00:49:15 growing our products, improving our service,
00:49:19 continuing to become an even bigger and better bank.
00:49:22 I think clients are extremely pleased
00:49:24 with the experience with us to date.
00:49:26 I know clients can look forward
00:49:28 to even more digital offerings,
00:49:31 a greater presence in the market
00:49:33 and really exciting initiatives
00:49:35 that JMMB will be launching.
00:49:37 With COVID, we saw that we had to do things differently
00:49:41 and that forced the digital agenda for us
00:49:44 and that initiative has carried through.
00:49:47 Even though we are somewhat past COVID,
00:49:49 we continue to focus on what various digital initiatives
00:49:53 we can bring to the market to again bring flexibility
00:49:57 and ease of doing business for our clients.
00:50:00 - Yeah.
00:50:01 Has the campaign been working well,
00:50:03 your new campaign that you all are a real bank?
00:50:07 Have you seen, let's say, persons,
00:50:10 because of that campaign,
00:50:12 you have seen persons coming to the bank
00:50:14 and opening up new accounts and so on?
00:50:17 - Yes, I believe the campaign was very well received.
00:50:21 There's a lot of talk in the general public about JMMB
00:50:26 and around JMMB and the brand
00:50:28 and what we can offer to our clients.
00:50:30 And we have seen an uptick in the number of inquiries
00:50:33 to our bank, not just for loans, but opening accounts
00:50:37 and any of the products and services that we have to offer.
00:50:40 So I do believe the campaign was well received.
00:50:44 I don't wanna say JMMB is the best kept secret
00:50:46 in the country, but I do think as more people experience us
00:50:50 and interact with us, they will find
00:50:53 that the way we do business is a refreshing approach
00:50:57 compared to some of the others in the banking sector.
00:51:00 - And you know, Mr. Moses, when people have to invest,
00:51:03 they have to put money into any bank,
00:51:06 they always want to know about the stability
00:51:09 of the institution.
00:51:10 What can you tell us about that?
00:51:13 - Yes, great question.
00:51:14 So we are a very strong and solid bank.
00:51:18 I mean, in addition to the testing
00:51:20 and the stress testing done by our regulators,
00:51:23 we amplify that even further and do our internal testings.
00:51:27 And we have passed in every instance,
00:51:30 we ensure that the safety of our depositors funds
00:51:36 takes priority in every decision that we make.
00:51:39 And people may not be aware,
00:51:42 but we are a very strong and sizable group.
00:51:47 So when we look across our group,
00:51:49 our total assets across the group
00:51:51 is in excess of US $4 billion.
00:51:54 That's an extremely strong balance sheet
00:51:56 that we can leverage to support our clients.
00:51:59 So for me, JMMB is here to stay.
00:52:01 Our performance over the last couple of years
00:52:03 has been excellent.
00:52:05 Even coming out of COVID,
00:52:06 COVID we have seen at the bank,
00:52:08 a 30% growth in performance year over year.
00:52:12 Our balance sheet remains strong.
00:52:13 We continue to be prudent in our risk management
00:52:17 and decision-making.
00:52:19 So clients can rest assured that their funds,
00:52:21 their investments are safe at JMMB.
00:52:25 - Yeah.
00:52:26 Mr. CEO, anything else you'd like to tell us
00:52:27 before you leave us this morning?
00:52:29 - Well, I want to thank you for your time
00:52:31 and thank the country for listening.
00:52:32 And I welcome and encourage listeners
00:52:35 to come and have a chat with us.
00:52:36 I'm certain they will be very pleased
00:52:39 once they interact with us
00:52:40 and see what we can offer
00:52:42 and see how we can partner together
00:52:44 to help each of us grow and get better.
00:52:46 So thank you very much.
00:52:47 - Of course.
00:52:48 - And I want to also be clear,
00:52:49 I want to thank my team
00:52:50 for the work that they have done over the years
00:52:53 to help us get to this point.
00:52:54 And I look forward to their continued support
00:52:56 in serving our clients.
00:52:57 - Mr. Moses, it was a pleasure speaking with you
00:52:59 this morning.
00:53:00 Thank you very much.
00:53:01 - Same here, thank you.
00:53:03 - All right, bye for now.
00:53:04 So it's time for another break
00:53:06 and we also have the news headlines for you.
00:53:08 We're coming back.
00:53:09 (upbeat music)
00:53:11 Good morning, I am Ansel Gibbs with a news update.
00:53:19 People in parts of Gasparillo are mopping up this morning
00:53:23 after high winds sent roofs flying off homes
00:53:27 and trees tumbling down on Thursday.
00:53:30 - A tornado passed and take up the roof and gone with it.
00:53:33 What time that was?
00:53:34 - That was about one o'clock.
00:53:38 - One o'clock?
00:53:39 - Yeah.
00:53:39 - You lost your roof?
00:53:42 - I lost my roof.
00:53:44 Everything inside wet up.
00:53:46 I lost, I don't know what it's like.
00:53:50 Right now I'm so nervous, still frightened
00:53:54 from what I see went on.
00:53:56 - The project to redevelop the central block
00:54:00 at the Port of Spain General Hospital is within.
00:54:03 It's allocated $1.3 billion budget according to officials.
00:54:08 - So we are looking to have this facility
00:54:13 open to the public sometime
00:54:14 within the end of the first quarter
00:54:17 to the start of the second quarter of 2025.
00:54:20 A facility befitting the status of our capital city.
00:54:26 - And in the weather forecast today,
00:54:30 hot and sunny conditions are expected
00:54:32 despite a few showers.
00:54:34 There's also a medium chance
00:54:36 of the isolated afternoon heavy shower or thunderstorm
00:54:40 favoring Western and hilly areas of Trinidad.
00:54:43 Tonight will be fair.
00:54:45 Gusty winds and street or flash flooding may occur
00:54:48 near heavy showers and thunderstorms.
00:54:51 The Met Office says temperatures are expected to climb
00:54:53 to 34 degrees Celsius in Trinidad and 32 in Tobago.
00:54:58 Seas will be moderate with waves reaching
00:55:01 between one and a half and two meters in height
00:55:04 in open waters and below one meter,
00:55:07 but choppy at times in sheltered areas.
00:55:10 - It's our biggest summer sale.
00:55:18 Seaview Optical, get a pair of complete eyewear for $5.95
00:55:21 and get a second pair free.
00:55:23 Also get a pair of single vision transition anti-glare lenses
00:55:26 with frame for $13.99 and a second pair 50% off.
00:55:30 Visit Seaview Optical.
00:55:31 Security camera sale this month at PRW.
00:55:36 Get 50% to 75% off selected cameras.
00:55:40 Secure your home with our security combo
00:55:42 starting from $2,800.
00:55:44 Camera bulb, $2.99.
00:55:46 Get an Asus laptop for $24.99.
00:55:48 Printers from $4.50.
00:55:50 Projectors from $9.99.
00:55:52 Smart TV starting at $22.50.
00:55:54 Check us in store for inks, speakers, mouse,
00:55:57 bags and lots more.
00:55:58 Call PRW today at 285-9709.
00:56:02 - Get a loan at Bremont.
00:56:03 The process is simple.
00:56:05 Fast and efficient approvals.
00:56:06 Receive funds within 24 hours once approved
00:56:09 and no penalty for early repayment.
00:56:11 Located at 4 Galler Street, Woodbrook.
00:56:13 Remember, we like to lend.
00:56:15 - Join our culinary journey
00:56:18 as Fatima Old Boys Association presents
00:56:21 Fatima Food Fest, Oktoberfest, Saturday, 14th October.
00:56:25 100 top chefs showcasing an array
00:56:27 of food and desserts from 7pm to 9pm
00:56:30 with an open bar and live entertainment until 11pm.
00:56:33 Tickets are $400 all inclusive
00:56:35 with all proceeds supporting education at Fatima College.
00:56:38 Get yours at the Great Pocket Store at Fatima College
00:56:41 or any FOBA community member.
00:56:43 Children friendly, so bring the whole family.
00:56:45 For details, call 628-4735.
00:56:48 - TV6 presents the East Indian Music, Dance and Tasa Finals
00:56:53 of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition.
00:56:56 Tune in for the spectacular showcase
00:56:58 from the best of the best
00:57:00 in the East Indian cultural categories,
00:57:02 including devotional dance, influence dance,
00:57:06 devotional song, folk medley, and tasa.
00:57:10 You don't want to miss this
00:57:11 as the cream of the crop take to the stage.
00:57:14 It's the East Indian Music, Dance and Tasa Finals
00:57:16 of the Prime Minister's Best Village Trophy Competition
00:57:20 on CCN TV6.
00:57:25 Can the government create a climate of safety
00:57:28 and economic sustainability?
00:57:30 We explore the issue during our post-budget panel discussion
00:57:35 from 7.30 to 10pm, October 2nd on TV6.
00:57:39 You can also join us at 12.30pm for a pre-budget show
00:57:44 ahead of the Finance Minister's presentation
00:57:47 at the Red House.
00:57:48 (upbeat music)
00:57:52 (upbeat music)
00:57:54 - All right, everyone.
00:58:17 So we are now joined by Dr. Leroy Hill,
00:58:21 Director Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
00:58:24 at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
00:58:27 And we also have with us this morning,
00:58:31 Professor Pedro Antonio Nogueira.
00:58:35 And they're here to speak about an open lecture.
00:58:41 Now, Professor Nogueira is from the USC Rossier School
00:58:47 of Education, University of Southern California.
00:58:50 Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming this morning.
00:58:52 - Good morning.
00:58:53 - Good morning. - Yes.
00:58:54 - And Marlon, thank you for having us.
00:58:55 - Of course.
00:58:56 - We're certainly privileged to be sharing information
00:58:58 about this special premium open lecture
00:59:01 sponsored by Guardian.
00:59:02 It's a partnership that we've had with Guardian
00:59:04 for since 2000.
00:59:05 And so CETL, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
00:59:10 certainly is honored to have Professor Nogueira with us
00:59:15 for this lecture.
00:59:16 But I'll allow you--
00:59:17 - Of course. - Him to speak more.
00:59:18 - Of course. - About this here.
00:59:20 - But tell us about the open lecture.
00:59:22 - So the open lecture, the theme for this lecture,
00:59:24 we really want to reflect on what does it mean
00:59:28 to have a success given the post pandemic setting?
00:59:33 What does that look like?
00:59:33 And it really forces us to redefine
00:59:37 for us education success.
00:59:41 We recognize that there are many challenges,
00:59:42 but those challenges can be turned into opportunities
00:59:44 for us to rethink.
00:59:46 And I think Professor Nogueira is the excellent person
00:59:48 to really allow us to do that.
00:59:50 It's a cross section, so we invite parents, teachers,
00:59:54 secondary, primary school teachers, higher education,
00:59:57 and it's really an open lecture
00:59:59 to allow persons to really subscribe
01:00:02 and reflect together as a group
01:00:04 from a community-based standpoint.
01:00:06 - Yeah, Professor, what's the message
01:00:09 that you're bringing to us in Trinidad and Tobago?
01:00:12 - Well, it's good to be with you.
01:00:13 I'm good to be back in Trinidad.
01:00:15 I'm a Trinidadian myself, though I live in the States.
01:00:17 I think the message is that education's
01:00:21 the key to our future.
01:00:22 If you think about most of the problems
01:00:24 facing the world today, we're gonna have to learn
01:00:27 how to solve those problems.
01:00:29 That means that our youth need an education
01:00:33 that provides them with the problem-solving ability,
01:00:36 the resourcefulness, the creativity, the critical thinking
01:00:39 to confront these problems that previous generations
01:00:44 passed on to them, and the problems
01:00:46 they're inheriting are large.
01:00:48 Climate change, poverty, inequality, war, disease.
01:00:53 And so how do we use education as a resource for the future?
01:00:57 And that raises the question of whether or not
01:01:00 the approach we take now in our schools
01:01:03 and our universities is gonna lend us
01:01:06 to a new way of thinking as we confront these problems.
01:01:10 - Dr. Hill, why is this lecture so important right now?
01:01:15 - This lecture is important right now
01:01:17 because we are at a, I would say,
01:01:20 a disruptive time in education.
01:01:22 The COVID-19 has really disrupted many things for persons,
01:01:26 and persons are questioning a lot of things.
01:01:29 And with the rise in recent artificial intelligence,
01:01:33 with the whole idea of learning loss,
01:01:37 individuals are concerned about what does education,
01:01:41 true education, look like.
01:01:42 And so this lecture series calls us to be critically
01:01:45 creative at the same time in forcing us to rethink
01:01:48 how do we manage and how do we define successful
01:01:52 from a student-centered lens.
01:01:54 And so we are fortunate to have been, again,
01:01:58 partnering with Guardian.
01:02:00 These become a series for us to be critical about issues,
01:02:06 pertaining to education, not just higher education,
01:02:09 even though it's sponsored from a higher education
01:02:11 standpoint, but we wanna look at it
01:02:13 from a nation-building standpoint.
01:02:15 - Yeah, Professor, you feel that some of the issues
01:02:17 that you all face in the US are some of the same issues
01:02:21 that we are facing in Trinidad and Tobago,
01:02:23 and because of that, it is easy to transfer the information
01:02:27 and the knowledge that you have.
01:02:29 And so you can identify with what is happening here.
01:02:33 - Absolutely, many of the same problems.
01:02:35 As I was coming here this morning and I saw the large number
01:02:38 of homeless people on the street, mentally ill,
01:02:41 homeless people are here on the streets of Port of Spain.
01:02:43 We have the very same problem in Los Angeles,
01:02:46 with many unhoused people, mentally ill,
01:02:50 substance abusers on our streets.
01:02:51 And that's just what you see.
01:02:53 Climate change is a threat to the whole world.
01:02:56 Global migration, millions of people who are forced
01:02:59 to leave their homes in search of a better,
01:03:01 more secure future.
01:03:03 These problems are affecting this generation.
01:03:06 That's the reason why we're seeing so much depression,
01:03:09 anxiety, rising suicide rates.
01:03:12 The only way to counter that fear is with clear thinking
01:03:15 and with the ability to problem solve about our future.
01:03:19 And that's what education must prepare our young people with.
01:03:22 They must be able to not just have courage,
01:03:25 but have the means and the thinking to begin
01:03:29 to address these problems in new ways,
01:03:31 because old ways of thinking got us to where we are.
01:03:34 So new tools, and I don't believe that AI
01:03:39 and artificial intelligence or new forms of technology
01:03:41 are necessarily the solution,
01:03:43 but in the hands of the right people,
01:03:45 can be harnessed to begin to address some of these problems.
01:03:48 And we have to prepare those people
01:03:50 in our schools and universities today.
01:03:52 - Yeah, Dr. Hill, let's focus a little bit
01:03:54 on some of the components of this lecture.
01:03:59 Some of the topics that you all are going to be focusing on.
01:04:02 - So some of the sub themes that came out
01:04:05 from our deliberation include the whole idea of wellness.
01:04:08 We've seen that, and what does that look like?
01:04:10 Teacher wellness, student wellness,
01:04:14 physical, emotional, mental.
01:04:16 It is one of those holistic themes for holistic wellness
01:04:20 when it comes to education success.
01:04:22 A lot of persons are suffering through fatigue,
01:04:27 learning fatigue in very different ways.
01:04:29 And certain themes have been explored
01:04:33 to really give rise to us really rethinking
01:04:38 what are we doing from our values-based standpoint.
01:04:41 It's not just the brain that we are educating,
01:04:43 we are educating the whole individual.
01:04:45 And so it really forces us to rethink.
01:04:48 And that we're also looking at themes of technology,
01:04:50 innovation strategies, to allow us to really meet
01:04:53 the learners in a multiple pathway standpoint
01:04:55 in a very meaningful way.
01:04:57 We recognize that students are different,
01:04:59 and we have to really up our game
01:05:01 when it comes to the strategies that we use.
01:05:04 And so these are some of the sub themes
01:05:07 that we will be explicating throughout the open lecture.
01:05:10 And Professor Noguera, as I said,
01:05:11 is a perfect person to really allow us
01:05:13 to begin those critical creative discussions to come out.
01:05:17 - Yeah, Professor, but hasn't the concept of education,
01:05:21 has it not changed?
01:05:22 Because I know in Trinidad and Tobago,
01:05:26 from time immemorial, we always focused on the academics.
01:05:29 And Dr. Hill, and I shook my head when he said it,
01:05:33 that there was always the feeling in Trinidad and Tobago
01:05:37 that if you're not academically inclined,
01:05:39 well, then you're not good at all.
01:05:40 Let's find a heap and put you there.
01:05:44 But I was pleasantly surprised to hear Dr. Hill
01:05:48 speak about different individuals and different students,
01:05:52 and certain people who have certain gifts.
01:05:55 So the concept of education had to change and has changed.
01:06:00 - Yeah, no, he's raising very important points
01:06:02 about the need for a more holistic approach.
01:06:04 - Of course. - That is acknowledging
01:06:05 that the social needs of a person,
01:06:07 whether or not they have food, housing, et cetera,
01:06:09 will affect their performance in school.
01:06:11 So you have to think holistically about our students.
01:06:14 At the same time, you have to think about the teachers.
01:06:17 Are they prepared?
01:06:18 What do they need to be able to meet
01:06:19 the needs of those students?
01:06:20 And then you have to think about how the curriculum,
01:06:24 that is what they learn, needs to be modified
01:06:27 so that, in fact, we're preparing them for the world.
01:06:29 Right now, what the evidence shows
01:06:31 is that the backgrounds of our students
01:06:34 largely determine how well they will do.
01:06:36 That is, those who come from wealthier families
01:06:38 with more education, their children tend to do better.
01:06:42 Those who have less, who have greater needs,
01:06:44 tend to do less well.
01:06:46 How do we create schools where your background
01:06:48 does not determine how much you will accomplish?
01:06:51 And how do we make sure that when our students
01:06:54 are passing through those schools,
01:06:55 they're not just reproducing the old ideas,
01:06:57 but coming out ready to embrace a new kind of creativity?
01:07:01 Because this generation of young people thinks differently,
01:07:05 learns differently than previous generations.
01:07:07 And so our schools must adapt to the students we serve now
01:07:11 if they're gonna be relevant to the needs of the future.
01:07:13 - Yeah.
01:07:14 - So, Dr. Hill, is the lecture only suited for educators,
01:07:19 or can other persons attend?
01:07:23 - Parents, teachers, community-minded persons, everyone.
01:07:28 It's an open lecture.
01:07:29 And so we really want to be able to gauge the numbers,
01:07:33 so we ask persons to register.
01:07:35 If you have not registered as yet,
01:07:37 the event is actually later today at 5.30
01:07:40 at the Dagger Auditorium.
01:07:41 - You have a few hours.
01:07:42 - We have a few hours for persons to attend,
01:07:45 and so this was our final appeal to really get persons.
01:07:48 We do have a right cross-section of persons attending
01:07:50 so far registered thus far,
01:07:52 but we really certainly want additional persons
01:07:54 from the community if you're so interested
01:07:56 in really hearing some of those topics to come in.
01:08:00 But register first, you go to sda.uwe.edu/settle,
01:08:05 and you can register from there.
01:08:08 - Yeah, is there a cost state?
01:08:10 - Free.
01:08:11 - Free?
01:08:11 - Yeah, you own-- - Hashtag free.
01:08:12 - It's free.
01:08:13 (laughing)
01:08:15 How many people are you catering for?
01:08:17 - We are catering, the auditorium holds 300 persons.
01:08:21 So we anticipate that it will be a full house,
01:08:24 so that's why we're asking persons to register,
01:08:27 because otherwise we'll be able to say,
01:08:28 okay, fine, we're full.
01:08:30 We don't want persons just showing up,
01:08:32 and so we invite you to certainly register
01:08:36 before you attend.
01:08:39 - Professor, I feel that this lecture,
01:08:44 I suspect it can be a life-changing event
01:08:48 for individuals who attend.
01:08:51 What do you think would be the greatest takeaway
01:08:56 from your lecture?
01:08:57 - My hope is that all kinds of stakeholders,
01:09:02 because education affects all of us,
01:09:04 and so even if you don't have children in school now,
01:09:07 you should be concerned about the future,
01:09:09 what the future looks like.
01:09:11 My hope is that it'll spark thinking in Trinidad
01:09:15 about how to use education as a resource for the future.
01:09:19 We tend to think in very traditional ways about school
01:09:25 and how we perform,
01:09:29 and those models need to be adapted
01:09:32 to current circumstances.
01:09:34 Too often when you ask a young person,
01:09:37 how was school today?
01:09:38 They say, boring.
01:09:40 How often do they say, inspiring.
01:09:43 I learned so much, can't wait to go back,
01:09:45 and bubbling with enthusiasm about what they are learning.
01:09:48 That's what education should do.
01:09:50 It should spark, it should stimulate,
01:09:52 it should lead to more search for knowledge.
01:09:57 That's when we know a person's receiving a good education
01:10:00 when they want more.
01:10:01 - Yeah, and you know, Professor,
01:10:02 I smiled when you said that
01:10:03 because that was not my experience at school,
01:10:06 inspiring, exciting, I want to return.
01:10:08 Professor, if you look at what is happening in the US,
01:10:16 we have seen a lot of young people
01:10:20 go into non-traditional areas,
01:10:25 and they have gone into certain areas
01:10:28 that are economically viable for them.
01:10:31 They're living a good life off of it,
01:10:35 but in the US, it's a bit different to Trinidad and Tobago
01:10:38 because of the size of the country.
01:10:39 There is greater infrastructure there
01:10:42 than here in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:10:46 You see, as you look at education in Trinidad and Tobago,
01:10:51 you feel that the time has come, maybe,
01:10:55 and it's gonna start happening
01:10:56 for more and more people
01:10:58 to go into the less traditional areas.
01:11:02 - Yeah, I think what's happening now,
01:11:03 there's so many distractions on social media,
01:11:07 and it really has captured the attention of young people
01:11:10 'cause so many of them are on their phones constantly,
01:11:12 and they're looking at TikTok,
01:11:14 and they're just following these trends,
01:11:16 and some of them aspire to be social influencers,
01:11:19 and those distractions keep us away
01:11:22 from confronting the immediate and pressing problems
01:11:24 facing our society and the world today.
01:11:27 So we need an education that brings their attention back.
01:11:31 It has to be as compelling
01:11:33 as what they're seeing on their phones,
01:11:35 and it has to provide them with the means to address,
01:11:39 look at these issues, without fear,
01:11:43 but with a kind of sober sense
01:11:46 that we have the ability to take these on.
01:11:48 We know, for example, that societies that invest
01:11:52 in the education of women and girls
01:11:54 have less poverty than societies that don't.
01:11:57 That's because women are the first teachers
01:12:00 in many families.
01:12:01 And so we know that it can, in fact,
01:12:04 be a resource to solve social problems.
01:12:07 The real question is, how do we use it
01:12:10 to address the problems we face today?
01:12:12 - Yeah, and I suspect, Dr. Hill,
01:12:14 that this is an attempt also to address
01:12:18 some of the challenges in education in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:12:21 - Yes, yes. - Yeah?
01:12:22 What do you see as some of the major challenges?
01:12:24 - I think one of the major challenges that we see
01:12:27 is the whole idea of participation,
01:12:29 community participation in education.
01:12:32 We see a greater interest in parents' involvement,
01:12:35 but we also recognize the need
01:12:38 for us to decolonize our thinking.
01:12:40 (laughs)
01:12:41 And Professor Nogueira will certainly be talking about that.
01:12:46 We are stuck in our ways,
01:12:47 and I think one of the challenges
01:12:49 is to really force us to do things differently.
01:12:52 Not necessarily that the old things are not good,
01:12:55 but if we try different approaches,
01:12:57 we can yield more rewarding results
01:13:00 that are student-centered
01:13:02 and more rewarding for student success.
01:13:04 And so we find a lot more interest
01:13:07 in persons wanting to hear more about that,
01:13:10 because certainly mental health, well-being,
01:13:12 health, well-being is an issue,
01:13:14 and so we really want our teachers to be healthy.
01:13:17 We want our students to be healthy as well.
01:13:19 And so these are some of the issues that we are hearing,
01:13:23 and we certainly want to address some of those.
01:13:25 - But Professor, this has to be a holistic buy-in,
01:13:29 and this has to happen at a very young age.
01:13:32 You can't come at 13, 14, 15, 16, and want to do that.
01:13:36 It has to start from the primary school level.
01:13:38 - Which is why family involvement
01:13:40 is so important at that age,
01:13:42 because when there's trust between the families
01:13:44 and the schools, children will perform better.
01:13:47 But it's also so important to make sure
01:13:50 that as we think about investing in education,
01:13:54 that we think about the talent trend
01:13:55 that loses every year.
01:13:57 Think about how many young people
01:13:58 are forced to go abroad to work and never come back,
01:14:02 because the opportunities don't exist here.
01:14:04 That brain drain that we've known about for so long,
01:14:06 which is a feature of a colonized education system,
01:14:10 has to be reversed.
01:14:11 Our schools should be developing entrepreneurs
01:14:14 who will go into society and take good new ideas
01:14:18 to develop new industries that will create
01:14:20 a more sustainable and more just society
01:14:23 than we have right now.
01:14:24 So education should be the engine of innovation
01:14:28 and change and progress in Trinidad.
01:14:31 And I don't think it's living up
01:14:32 to that potential at the moment.
01:14:34 - Yeah, Dr. Hill, we just have about a minute again.
01:14:36 Anything else you'd like to add?
01:14:37 - Well, I just want to say thank you for having us,
01:14:39 and we are truly honored to be here on your show,
01:14:42 and we look forward to persons attending.
01:14:45 So thank you so much.
01:14:46 - Yeah, just give us the details again this afternoon.
01:14:50 - This afternoon at 5.30 at Doug Auditorium.
01:14:52 And again, we want you to pre-register.
01:14:56 Register, so you go at sda.ue.edu/settle, C-E-T-L.
01:15:01 - Professor, anything else you'd like to add?
01:15:06 - Just to say it's great to be here.
01:15:07 I do hope that this information will be helpful,
01:15:11 because I think Trinidad, many people,
01:15:13 many of us look to Trinidad as being a beacon,
01:15:16 and because of the culture here,
01:15:18 and we hope that that will lead to the kinds of changes
01:15:21 that the world needs now.
01:15:22 - Yeah, Professor, Doctor, it was a pleasure speaking
01:15:24 with you all this morning. - Thank you so much.
01:15:25 - Thank you very much. - Appreciate it.
01:15:26 - I wish you all the best later.
01:15:27 - Thank you so much.
01:15:28 - Okay, so we are going to another quick break again.
01:15:30 We do have this image for you.
01:15:32 It's from Shanice.
01:15:32 Good morning, Shanice.
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01:16:44 - Dogs.
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01:16:55 (upbeat music)
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01:17:08 ♪ I feel so good ♪
01:17:11 ♪ Today's the day ♪
01:17:14 (upbeat music)
01:17:17 - Beyond the Tape, weekdays at 5.30 p.m.
01:17:42 (upbeat music)
01:17:44 - Welcome to another edition of Heartline.
01:17:48 (upbeat music)
01:17:50 - Tune in for Heartline News every Monday at 4.30 p.m.
01:18:04 and Saturdays at 5 p.m.
01:18:07 Right here on CCN TV6.
01:18:09 (upbeat music)
01:18:12 ♪ I'm with them San Fernando ♪
01:18:15 ♪ Don't they have plenty tempo ♪
01:18:17 ♪ At the Steel Orchestra moving sweet ♪
01:18:21 ♪ We will join San Fernandez ♪
01:18:23 ♪ And San Roland Coffee Street ♪
01:18:25 ♪ So give me more, give me more, give me more tempo ♪
01:18:30 - Yeah, we have a lot for you on the program today
01:18:32 and we have a lot more.
01:18:34 So with us now is Dr. Charleston Thomas,
01:18:36 Technical Advisor, Division of Tourism,
01:18:38 Culture, Antiquities and Transportation
01:18:40 of Level Nine Advertising
01:18:43 to chat with us about an upcoming event.
01:18:46 Dr. Thomas, good morning.
01:18:48 - Good morning, good morning, Marlon, good morning.
01:18:51 - Good to have you here, doctor.
01:18:53 - Thanks for having me.
01:18:54 - Let's talk about the upcoming event.
01:18:56 - Sure.
01:18:57 - Yes, doctor, go ahead.
01:19:00 - Okay, so of course, we know that the Carnival,
01:19:03 Tobago Carnival, the October edition,
01:19:05 the second iteration of that happens
01:19:07 on the last weekend of October,
01:19:10 that's the 27th to the 29th.
01:19:12 Of course, it's the second year,
01:19:15 it's a new Carnival evolving
01:19:18 and a lot of things have been done differently this year.
01:19:22 Given what we experienced last year,
01:19:25 one of those major shifts this year
01:19:27 is that we have centralized the Carnival in Scarborough,
01:19:30 which is the capital city, of course,
01:19:32 which makes it a lot easier logistically
01:19:35 and of course, in terms of security and safety.
01:19:38 All right, it's quite a packed weekend.
01:19:41 In fact, we are in Trinidad this weekend
01:19:43 to do an activation over the weekend.
01:19:47 We'll be at the Arpitz Avenue stages later this evening,
01:19:52 between five and 10.
01:19:54 And tomorrow we are in Lazy Lizard.
01:19:57 Sunday, there's another activation in South.
01:20:02 So let me just give you a snapshot
01:20:06 of what happens on the actual Carnival weekend.
01:20:08 - Of course.
01:20:09 - We have, well, first I want to lay out the main events
01:20:14 for the Carnival.
01:20:16 Of course, we had the official launch,
01:20:18 which was Vago Jam,
01:20:19 and that happened on the 31st of August.
01:20:23 We have the Junior Monarch,
01:20:27 the Junior Calypso Monarch
01:20:28 that happens on the 13th of October.
01:20:31 The Calypso Monarch happens on the 21st of October.
01:20:35 The Soka Monarch, Tobago Soka Monarch happens on the 25th.
01:20:38 The opening of the Festival Grounds,
01:20:41 which is a new incarnation,
01:20:43 a new elementary to this edition.
01:20:48 So that happens on the 13th of October.
01:20:51 The Festival Ground is meant to capture
01:20:56 the overriding theme of the Carnival,
01:20:57 which is rituals, revelry.
01:21:00 Ritual, revelry, and release.
01:21:02 All right, so what we have in the Festival,
01:21:04 we have planned in the Festival Ground
01:21:08 really is to display and showcase
01:21:12 all of those unique cultural elements
01:21:14 that Tobago is known for.
01:21:15 We also want to give people an experience
01:21:21 of what really is this very characteristic thing
01:21:24 about the Tobago Carnival is the mud experience.
01:21:27 - Yes.
01:21:27 - We experience mud in Tobago for the Carnival
01:21:31 very differently to how we do it in Trinidad.
01:21:33 And that's an interesting story,
01:21:36 if I could just quickly share something there with you.
01:21:39 So mud has emerged as a very central metaphor
01:21:42 of the Tobago Carnival because of the experience
01:21:44 the Bonians have always had with mud, right?
01:21:47 I remember growing up as a child,
01:21:50 before roads were paved, this is in early '80s,
01:21:54 before roads were paved, we all had to walk through
01:21:56 and wade through the mud,
01:21:58 either to get to work, school, or wherever, right?
01:22:01 And I remember my father having to lift us
01:22:04 across a piece of terrain in the road, right?
01:22:06 Because when it rained heavily, you couldn't get by.
01:22:09 And that pretty much was an experience of Tobagoans.
01:22:13 The other thing is that we know we have an effort
01:22:17 to kind of rekindle the dirt ovens on the island,
01:22:20 but that was something quite common, right, in Tobago.
01:22:23 You had dirt ovens in different homes,
01:22:27 as well as in different yards, big yards, et cetera.
01:22:30 And in addition to which, which is not something
01:22:33 that is often spoken about in the spiritual Baptist tradition
01:22:37 of which Tobago is also very known for,
01:22:39 a lot of shrines are also built in clay and mud, right?
01:22:43 So we have always had that very close,
01:22:45 intimate experience with mud.
01:22:46 And I suppose one of the reasons why mud has featured
01:22:50 in the carnival in Tobago in a way it has,
01:22:52 is precisely because of our very deep relationship
01:22:55 to the earth and in this case, to mud, right?
01:22:59 And then we have Rocks Glow,
01:23:02 which is an event that we had last year
01:23:04 that happens in Rocks Grove.
01:23:05 And that's one of the events that happens
01:23:08 out of the capital city and located in the next town,
01:23:13 city in Tobago, which is Rocks Grove.
01:23:15 - Dr. Thomas, from what we are hearing from you this morning,
01:23:18 it would seem that Tobago is expecting
01:23:23 a bumper carnival this year,
01:23:26 has pumped a lot of resources into that.
01:23:29 And it is going to be bigger
01:23:32 than what was planned last year.
01:23:35 - Bigger and hopefully more controlled, more controlled.
01:23:38 One of the challenges we had last year,
01:23:39 because it was so split, right?
01:23:41 We had a Juvencom point and we had, of course,
01:23:44 events in Scarborough.
01:23:47 It became a challenge, traffic management became an issue.
01:23:52 Logistics became an issue.
01:23:55 So bigger, yes, this year, but more controlled.
01:23:58 In fact, we have the benefit of having ACP Colas Hazel
01:24:01 as the head of the police in Tobago now,
01:24:04 who in fact was the gold standard,
01:24:07 I think they call it, gold standard officer
01:24:08 for the carnival in Trinidad last year, right?
01:24:11 In Port Augustine in particular.
01:24:13 So having had that experience and having had,
01:24:16 going through the ins and outs of managing carnival
01:24:20 in Trinidad, I mean, and we know what Trinidad can be,
01:24:23 mammoth task it is to manage carnival
01:24:26 in the capital city, Port Augustine.
01:24:28 So having had that experience
01:24:30 and having him be in the space for us now,
01:24:34 himself at Tobago, I think not just bigger,
01:24:37 but I want to emphasize bigger, but more controlled.
01:24:39 - And planned.
01:24:41 - Yes, more planned.
01:24:43 And hopefully therefore people can have
01:24:45 the kind of experience that we want to share, right?
01:24:47 We know Tobago is a land of sea and sand and sun,
01:24:52 but being in carnival in the midst of all of that
01:24:55 is a different experience.
01:24:56 And we want to curate that experience differently, you see?
01:24:58 - Yeah.
01:25:00 What strikes me, it's really the number of events
01:25:03 that you have on the agenda,
01:25:06 where we're seeing the Tobago Soca Monarch
01:25:10 and the Calypso Monarch and so on.
01:25:13 So I'm looking at that and I'm saying,
01:25:16 but this is a grand event.
01:25:19 Maybe sometime in the future,
01:25:24 arrival of carnival in Trinidad, right?
01:25:26 - Well, I want to say a few things about that.
01:25:31 So grand event, okay, so whatever happens in Tobago
01:25:36 represents Trinidad and Tobago in the same way
01:25:39 whatever happens in Trinidad represents Trinidad and Tobago.
01:25:41 That's a first thing.
01:25:43 So we are very keen on having the best of Tobago
01:25:46 emerge as a representation of Tobago and Trinidad and Tobago.
01:25:53 - Yes.
01:25:55 - Now in that regard, those events that you see there
01:25:59 looking very clustered in one month,
01:26:01 some of them are also part of the annual festival calendar
01:26:06 of the island, for example, Blue Food, right?
01:26:09 So you may have heard, for example,
01:26:11 had a few comments or some comments in the air
01:26:14 about the marketing of the Tobago Carnival,
01:26:16 but Tobago has to be marketed in a very different way.
01:26:19 The island is one product.
01:26:21 That's what our company, TITAL, actually does.
01:26:26 It markets Tobago as a tourism product,
01:26:30 which means it's an island that has events,
01:26:33 known events from January to the very end of the year.
01:26:37 And that means in a certain way,
01:26:39 we cannot market Tobago Carnival in a way
01:26:42 that Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is marketed.
01:26:44 - Of course.
01:26:45 - Because there are other events that take precedence
01:26:46 before Tobago Carnival.
01:26:48 You're with me?
01:26:48 - Yes.
01:26:49 - So Blue Food, for example, right?
01:26:51 Before the Tobago Carnival emerged,
01:26:53 Blue Food was the central carnival in this period.
01:26:56 So the central event, sorry, in this period, all right?
01:26:59 But with the formation of this new idea, right?
01:27:04 Of the Tobago Carnival,
01:27:06 you have the national carnival happening
01:27:09 from early February, March.
01:27:11 You have, we had the jazz experience in around April.
01:27:15 Then you have the Tobago Heritage Festival.
01:27:17 You move down to Blue Food.
01:27:19 Now we have the Tobago Carnival.
01:27:21 You're with me?
01:27:22 - Yes.
01:27:23 - So all of that really has to be factored into
01:27:25 when we think and consider,
01:27:27 think about and consider what we do
01:27:29 in terms of how we package the October Carnival.
01:27:31 - Yeah.
01:27:32 - All right, so it's a very careful thing that we do
01:27:34 in order to reap the benefits of all of what we do
01:27:37 and not just one activity
01:27:39 that may rise as the activity to market.
01:27:43 - Dr. Thomas, have you all been in discussions
01:27:48 with let's say Caribbean Airlines,
01:27:51 the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago,
01:27:53 the Ministry of Works and Transport?
01:27:55 Because you know, every time,
01:27:57 and I don't think that I'm being wrong when I say
01:28:01 when Tobago has these large events,
01:28:04 there are problems when it comes to transportation,
01:28:08 whether it's the air bridge or sea bridge.
01:28:11 And this sometimes frustrates the person
01:28:14 who is trying to come over to Tobago
01:28:16 and come back home in some cases to Trinidad.
01:28:19 So how is that working out?
01:28:21 - I'll answer that in two ways.
01:28:25 We have always had conversations with Cal
01:28:28 and Port Authority and all the stakeholders
01:28:33 and all the parties involved,
01:28:36 because we were twinned as a nation long time.
01:28:40 We were twinned as a nation since 1889.
01:28:43 So that conversation about transportation
01:28:46 between the two islands is not new.
01:28:48 - Yes.
01:28:49 - And I am one who don't like to necessarily go back
01:28:52 into what has already been so brilliantly echoed, right?
01:28:57 That the sea bridge issue and the air lift to Tobago issue,
01:29:02 they just have to be resolved, right?
01:29:05 So yes, we have been having conversations
01:29:08 with the authorities.
01:29:10 I'm not yet in a position to tell you
01:29:13 what are some of the outcomes of those conversations,
01:29:16 because of course they're still ongoing, right?
01:29:18 But the hope is that we will get some increase
01:29:24 both at the air lift, in the airport,
01:29:28 and we should get some assistance.
01:29:33 So I'm using that word very modestly and carefully,
01:29:37 but we should be all right, Marlon.
01:29:40 I'm saying that with all the optimism.
01:29:42 - Yes.
01:29:44 - As well as what also happens in a kind of a carnival,
01:29:47 carnival as an event, right?
01:29:50 Has its own lifespan and its own mechanism of living, right?
01:29:55 So one of the things we were worried about last year,
01:29:58 I can tell you, was I wonder how this thing
01:30:01 will work itself out.
01:30:02 Will people come?
01:30:03 And Marlon, the weekend we couldn't find space.
01:30:05 - Right.
01:30:06 - Right?
01:30:07 So I am also saying that that is something
01:30:10 that transitions to the spaces and the people
01:30:15 who have the controls and the wherewithal
01:30:19 to make things change in terms of transportation
01:30:22 to the island, the carnival also puts a certain kind
01:30:25 of pressure in those arenas.
01:30:27 So I'm expecting that something fruitful will happen.
01:30:31 - Has your division also taken any steps
01:30:35 to promote Tobago Carnival internationally?
01:30:38 Of course, you will get visitors from Trinidad,
01:30:40 but what about internationally or regionally?
01:30:43 - So we have a company, T-TAL,
01:30:46 which is Tobago Tourism Agency Limited,
01:30:49 and they have been mandated to really market Tobago
01:30:52 as a product, part of which is, of course,
01:30:54 carrying the Tobago Carnival internationally, all right?
01:30:59 So T-TAL actually does a very robust job
01:31:03 where that is concerned.
01:31:05 And we have been doing quite a lot of work
01:31:08 in reaching out to the Tobago diaspora.
01:31:10 You may know of the Tobago Day that just recently happened
01:31:13 in, I can't recall the date,
01:31:15 I don't want to chance the era.
01:31:16 - Yeah.
01:31:17 - All right, but it just recently took place.
01:31:19 So we've been doing quite a lot of work
01:31:20 in mobilizing the Tobago diaspora,
01:31:22 and T-TAL has that task and responsibility
01:31:26 to carry all of what we do as a tourism product outwards,
01:31:29 right, internationally.
01:31:30 So yes, we have.
01:31:31 And of course, the Tobago Festivals Commission,
01:31:35 which is the company that has the mandate
01:31:39 to execute these events on the road,
01:31:42 they also do their own marketing,
01:31:44 and they are linked to T-TAL
01:31:46 so that they do strategic international marketing as well.
01:31:49 So we have quite a nice little makeup
01:31:51 to have that level of marketing take place.
01:31:55 - And let's speak about accommodation very quickly,
01:31:57 because have hotels been put on alert for the visitors?
01:32:02 - Yes, and I know that there are talks
01:32:06 to have some kind of arrangement with hotels
01:32:08 to facilitate some kinds of giveaways
01:32:12 or some package that might be more attractive as well
01:32:15 to garner the support that they need in terms of people.
01:32:20 So hotels have been put on alert,
01:32:23 guest houses have been put on alert,
01:32:24 and I should also plug in there
01:32:26 that in one of the conversations we've had
01:32:28 with ACP, Collis Hazel, in terms of safety and security,
01:32:31 I know they are doing quite a lot of work
01:32:34 in gathering a database of all the people on the island
01:32:37 who can and perhaps may accommodate people,
01:32:40 and we'll set up strategic conversations with them
01:32:43 in terms of ensuring that it's the people
01:32:46 who want to celebrate life that come to Tobago
01:32:49 and not those who want to destroy.
01:32:50 - Yeah, Dr. Thomas, anything else you'd like to tell us
01:32:53 before you leave us this morning?
01:32:54 - Yes, I cannot leave out one of the things
01:32:57 that I think we have to talk about
01:33:00 is the Legends Weekend, right?
01:33:02 That's one of the big things for that weekend.
01:33:07 That weekend begins with a musical of Calypso Rose
01:33:10 put on by our company TPAC in collaboration
01:33:12 with a university in Toronto where Roma Spencer is at.
01:33:16 Then you have the Calypso Monarch placed in the middle,
01:33:20 and the final, final showing of David Rudder
01:33:24 happens on the Sunday.
01:33:25 So we call that the Legends Weekend
01:33:27 because we are hoping that that becomes a staple
01:33:30 in the Tobago, the October Carnival.
01:33:33 So next year, we are hoping to have a next musical
01:33:37 beginning that Legends Weekend.
01:33:39 The Tobago Calypso Monarch will be launched
01:33:42 again at the center and another David Rudder type show
01:33:45 back-ending everything.
01:33:47 - Yeah, Dr. Thomas, it was a pleasure speaking
01:33:49 with you this morning.
01:33:50 - Thanks for having me, bud.
01:33:51 - All right, bye for now. - Have a good one.
01:33:53 - Okay, so let's take another break,
01:33:55 and we do have this image for you.
01:33:56 It's from Tyreek at Midas Avenue, El Dorado Gardens.
01:34:01 Yeah, thank you, Tyreek.
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01:35:04 It's "The Trial of a King,"
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01:36:11 (door creaking)
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01:36:42 - And welcome back, everyone.
01:36:59 So we do have another upcoming event for you,
01:37:01 and we're talking about celebrating Michael Anthony.
01:37:05 Joining us this morning, we do have Shivani Ramlodchan,
01:37:09 Festival and Program Manager, Bocas Lit Fest,
01:37:12 and we also have writer Lance Dowrich.
01:37:15 Good morning.
01:37:16 - Good morning. - Good morning.
01:37:18 - Yeah. - And everyone.
01:37:19 - Yeah, Shivani, let's start with you.
01:37:22 How is Michael Anthony going to be celebrated?
01:37:27 - So, Marlon, as you know, Michael Anthony,
01:37:31 who is a beloved and remains a beloved
01:37:33 Trinidad and Tobago author, recently passed away
01:37:37 at the age of 93, and at the Bocas Lit Fest,
01:37:41 specifically at the home of the Bocas Lit Fest,
01:37:43 the Writers' Center, which is located
01:37:45 on 14 Alcazar Street, St. Clair,
01:37:48 will be physically celebrating both Michael Anthony's legacy
01:37:53 as well as the more personal reminiscences
01:37:55 writers and readers alike may have of him,
01:37:59 and that's taking place tomorrow, actually,
01:38:01 at 6 p.m. at the Writers' Center.
01:38:05 And we're looking forward to honoring a writer
01:38:06 who was so intrinsic to the landscape and fabric
01:38:10 of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean
01:38:13 with his many, many books.
01:38:15 - Yeah, and I suspect, Lance, that the reason
01:38:18 why you're here with us this morning,
01:38:19 it is because that Mr. Anthony would have inspired you
01:38:23 in some way, huh?
01:38:23 - Yes, and at the event tomorrow,
01:38:30 I'll be reading an excerpt from one of his books,
01:38:33 The Year in San Fernando.
01:38:35 - Why, Lance, why that book in particular?
01:38:40 - Well, Marlon, I am from San Fernando.
01:38:44 I read that book as a secondary school student,
01:38:47 and the fact that he referred to actual places
01:38:50 in San Fernando remained with me.
01:38:53 Actually, it told me something about my town,
01:38:57 my city, that I did not know,
01:39:00 and I was intrigued by that.
01:39:02 And I thought it fair that as a San Fernandian,
01:39:05 I read from that particular book.
01:39:07 - Lance, let's speak about Mr. Anthony,
01:39:13 because for the younger ones,
01:39:16 some of them may not be au courant
01:39:18 with some of his books, some of his writing,
01:39:21 some of his knowledge.
01:39:23 Let's speak a little bit about Mr. Anthony
01:39:27 who passed away recently.
01:39:30 - Michael Anthony was a prolific writer,
01:39:35 and he had that ability to reflect on everyday occurrences.
01:39:43 It is also said that his experiences
01:39:49 as an adolescent impacted his writing.
01:39:54 So he presented a unique viewpoint
01:39:57 that young people in particular can learn from.
01:40:00 His "Green Days by the River"
01:40:03 and "The Year in San Fernando" in particular
01:40:06 are two books that every young person should read.
01:40:08 - Yeah.
01:40:11 Shivani, I wanna pose that same question to you,
01:40:16 because as I said, there may be a number of young people
01:40:21 who do not know about Mr. Anthony,
01:40:24 his books, his writings.
01:40:27 As we look at the landscape,
01:40:32 how important do you think that his books and his writings,
01:40:35 we also know him as a historian,
01:40:39 how important is that information
01:40:43 to think the young people of Trinidad and Tobago?
01:40:46 - That's a great question, Marlon.
01:40:49 What was interesting to see is that at the Writers' Center,
01:40:52 which is now also the home of Paper-Based Bookshop,
01:40:55 an independent bookshop specializing in Caribbean books,
01:40:59 immediately following Michael Anthony's death,
01:41:01 there was a huge upsurge in his books
01:41:04 being purchased for younger readers.
01:41:06 So parents came in to select Michael Anthony's titles,
01:41:10 including, as Lance mentioned, "The Year in San Fernando,"
01:41:14 "Green Days by the River,"
01:41:15 and also some of his lesser known works
01:41:17 like "Cricket in the Road" and "Butler 'Til the Final Bell,"
01:41:21 specifically with the intention
01:41:22 of having their young readers learn more
01:41:25 about Michael Anthony,
01:41:26 and to have a viewpoint directly into the 1940s and '50s
01:41:31 in Trinidad and Tobago, a slice of life,
01:41:34 which many young readers may not be aware of.
01:41:37 - Yeah.
01:41:38 Lance, you spoke about earlier,
01:41:40 about the book that you intend to read,
01:41:45 and you spoke about Michael Anthony
01:41:50 speaking about San Fernando and you from San Fernando,
01:41:53 but also you had the opportunity to meet Mr. Anthony,
01:41:58 and I suspect spend some time with him over the years.
01:42:03 When did that first meeting happen?
01:42:07 - Marlon, that meeting happened many years ago,
01:42:12 and it happened by chance, actually.
01:42:14 I am grateful for that opportunity,
01:42:18 because after that, I never chanced upon him,
01:42:23 but his books are there as his legacy,
01:42:26 and once one reads his books,
01:42:28 one really gets a thorough idea of who he was.
01:42:32 - Yeah, I also know that you also had a friendship with him.
01:42:38 - That friendship was a lasting friendship,
01:42:44 but at the same time,
01:42:45 it wasn't as intimate as I wanted it to be.
01:42:48 He was such a great mind,
01:42:50 and as Shivani would have expressed, a historian.
01:42:54 I have a love for history as well,
01:42:57 and therefore his ability to write about,
01:42:59 let's say the aviation industry,
01:43:02 about Port of Spain,
01:43:03 reflects someone who knows his country.
01:43:08 He also spoke about several of the towns and districts
01:43:13 in Trinidad and Tobago that many writers
01:43:16 or readers may not know about.
01:43:19 That intimate knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago
01:43:21 is something that I relished.
01:43:24 - Yeah, Shivani, I know that recently,
01:43:27 you all relaunched the Writers' Center.
01:43:29 - That's correct, and the intention with the Writers' Center,
01:43:34 the home of now the Booker's Leadfest,
01:43:37 paper-based bookshop, and a branch of Full Bloom Coffee,
01:43:40 is to make a wide range of options available to anyone
01:43:44 at any stage of their writing,
01:43:46 and reading career.
01:43:47 So tomorrow's BYOBB event,
01:43:50 which celebrates Michael Anthony,
01:43:51 is our first public event since the relaunch.
01:43:54 Reading alongside Lance Tomorrow,
01:43:56 our fellow writers Lisa Allen Agostini,
01:44:00 June Aming, and Hadassah Kaye-Williams,
01:44:02 they will be reading from different works
01:44:04 by Michael Anthony,
01:44:06 and their contributions will be joined by readers
01:44:10 simply reminiscing in a very informal and casual setting
01:44:13 on what Michael Anthony meant to them,
01:44:15 what their favorite Michael Anthony book is,
01:44:17 and how he may have inspired each of them
01:44:20 to pursue a career in writing,
01:44:23 or simply to become more devoted and passionate readers.
01:44:26 And that's what we're most excited about,
01:44:28 helping to enable those conversations.
01:44:30 - Yeah, Lance, how do we get more and more young people
01:44:35 to get involved in writing, to have an interest in writing?
01:44:39 - Well, Marlon, it starts with reading.
01:44:45 It starts with the home.
01:44:46 Parents have to encourage their children to read.
01:44:50 And importantly, I think participating
01:44:53 in Booker's Lit Fest every year,
01:44:56 and as well as events that are staged
01:44:58 at different points in the year, is critical.
01:45:01 That allows young people to be immersed
01:45:04 in an environment where they meet fellow writers,
01:45:07 they meet well-known writers,
01:45:09 and they get an understanding of how writing is approached.
01:45:13 There are several facets to this,
01:45:15 and I applaud Chivonne and all the organizers
01:45:19 at Booker's Lit Fest for providing
01:45:22 that opportunity for young people.
01:45:24 - Lance, as a career, is it a viable option?
01:45:27 Because I don't know how parents are going to,
01:45:31 what their behavior will be, you know,
01:45:32 if their son or daughter, they go to them
01:45:35 and say to them, "I want to be a writer."
01:45:38 - Well, Marlon, writing pervades almost everything we do.
01:45:42 We write every day, even when we send text messages,
01:45:45 we write, so that it is a craft
01:45:48 that is practiced silently by almost by everyone.
01:45:52 So parents should continue to just support young people
01:45:56 if they express an interest in writing.
01:45:58 Allow them to write for competitions
01:46:01 sponsored by the Booker's Lit Fest
01:46:03 and available internationally, but just keep them writing.
01:46:07 - Keep them writing.
01:46:09 Chivonne, tell us about some of the upcoming projects
01:46:12 that you may have on the front burner.
01:46:16 - We're very excited about our upcoming NGC Booker's
01:46:19 Youth Fest, which takes place on the 20th
01:46:22 and 21st of October, which we're hosting in partnership
01:46:25 with the University of the West
01:46:27 and the St. Augustine campus this year.
01:46:29 And that festival, Marlon, is specifically geared
01:46:32 towards youth who are aged 13 to 25,
01:46:35 who may be wondering, as Lance mentioned,
01:46:37 what can I do with a passion for writing
01:46:39 and literature?
01:46:40 We're hoping many of those questions can be answered
01:46:43 at Youth Fest, which like our BYOBV,
01:46:46 is free and open to attend.
01:46:48 - Yeah, and how do people get involved?
01:46:50 Is there a registration process?
01:46:52 Is there a site, a website that they can visit?
01:46:55 - The best thing for anyone to do who's interested
01:46:57 in any of our public programs is visit our website,
01:47:00 www.bookerslitfest.com, or follow any of our social media
01:47:05 platforms at Booker's Lit Fest.
01:47:09 - Yeah, Lance, when we speak about some of these books
01:47:13 by Michael Antony, as I said,
01:47:18 they have a lot of experiences in it,
01:47:21 a lot of education in it, but if you were to pick a book,
01:47:26 one of his books, which book would you think,
01:47:31 would you want to pick so that young people can read it?
01:47:36 And what would they be able to glean from it?
01:47:40 - Marlon, I remain focused on the year in San Fernando
01:47:44 because of what it means to me.
01:47:46 - Yes.
01:47:47 - I read that as a 14-year-old,
01:47:49 and the age of the main character spoke to me.
01:47:54 It is a coming-of-age story, a young boy who is removed
01:48:00 from his home in Mayaro and lives in San Fernando
01:48:05 for one year, helping an old lady
01:48:09 and learning about San Fernando.
01:48:11 For me, that speaks to experiences that young people,
01:48:16 particularly pre-adolescents, have to deal with.
01:48:19 It's a wonderful book.
01:48:20 I would remain focused on that as a recommendation
01:48:25 for any young person, particularly around the ages
01:48:28 of 10, 11, 12, into early adolescence.
01:48:31 - Yeah.
01:48:32 Shivani, if you could just repeat for us again
01:48:36 when the event is being held, time, et cetera.
01:48:39 - Of course, Marlon.
01:48:40 So the BYUBB event in celebration
01:48:43 of Michael Anthony happens tomorrow
01:48:46 at the Writers' Center, 14 Alcazar Street,
01:48:49 St. Clair at 6 p.m., and it's free and open to everyone.
01:48:52 - Yeah.
01:48:53 Shivani, Lance, thank you very much
01:48:54 for speaking with us this morning.
01:48:56 - Thank you, Marlon.
01:48:58 - All right, bye for now.
01:48:59 So it's time for another quick break.
01:49:00 We're coming back.
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01:50:34 From TNT's first fiber to the home network,
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01:50:50 That's why our greatest achievement will always be you.
01:50:54 Digicel, we're better together.
01:50:56 (car engine revving)
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01:51:05 (car engine revving)
01:51:23 (tires screeching)
01:51:26 - I road save, because life is precious.
01:51:33 Plus, I can't afford to pay another speeding ticket.
01:51:37 - A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
01:51:43 (upbeat music)
01:51:47 ♪ I find myself disturbing a hive of beloved ♪
01:51:51 ♪ They bite me on the chin, bite me on the hand ♪
01:51:55 ♪ The noise that they're making ♪
01:51:57 ♪ It's sound like steel band ♪
01:51:59 ♪ Because of me ♪
01:52:00 - All right, so welcome back everyone.
01:52:01 So we do have some local news headlines for you.
01:52:04 (upbeat music)
01:52:08 - Good morning, I am Ansel Gibbs with a news update.
01:52:14 People in parts of Gasparillo are mopping up this morning
01:52:18 after high winds sent roofs flying off homes
01:52:22 and trees tumbling down on Thursday.
01:52:25 - A tornado passed and took up the roof and gone with it.
01:52:29 - What time that was?
01:52:30 - That was about one o'clock.
01:52:33 - One o'clock?
01:52:34 - Yeah.
01:52:35 - You lost your roof?
01:52:38 - I lost my roof.
01:52:39 Everything inside wet up.
01:52:41 I lost...
01:52:44 I don't know what it's...
01:52:46 Right now I'm so nervous, still frightened
01:52:49 from what I see went on.
01:52:52 - The project to redevelop the central block
01:52:55 at the Port of Spain General Hospital is within
01:52:59 its allocated $1.3 billion budget, according to officials.
01:53:04 - So we are looking to have this facility
01:53:08 open to the public sometime
01:53:10 within the end of the first quarter
01:53:12 to the start of the second quarter of 2025.
01:53:16 A facility befitting the status of our capital city.
01:53:21 - And in the weather forecast,
01:53:25 today hot and sunny conditions are expected
01:53:28 despite a few showers.
01:53:29 There's also a medium chance of the isolated
01:53:32 afternoon heavy shower or thunderstorm
01:53:35 favoring Western and hilly areas of Trinidad.
01:53:39 Tonight will be fair.
01:53:40 Gusty winds and street or flash flooding may occur
01:53:44 near heavy showers and thunderstorms.
01:53:46 The Met Office says temperatures are expected to climb
01:53:49 to 34 degrees Celsius in Trinidad and 32 in Tobago.
01:53:54 Seas will be moderate with waves reaching
01:53:57 between one and a half and two meters in height
01:54:00 in open waters and below one meter,
01:54:02 but choppy at times in sheltered areas.
01:54:05 (upbeat music)
01:54:10 - Hey, I have something for you, you know.
01:54:12 Put it up now, man.
01:54:13 Let me see it.
01:54:14 You have it?
01:54:15 I have a pic, ah boy, look at that.
01:54:21 You remember yesterday I was speaking about the moon?
01:54:23 This was sent to us from someone called Marlon Hopkins.
01:54:27 And I don't know if you know him,
01:54:29 but studio, what should we call this?
01:54:31 I call this at, I call this moon at 445.
01:54:35 (laughs)
01:54:37 All right, so that's gonna do it, everyone,
01:54:40 for Morning Edition for this week.
01:54:42 Thank you to all of you who would have participated, right?
01:54:45 So we do have Emmy Prime is at 8.30 this evening.
01:54:48 We do have this image for you, it's from Laurel.
01:54:51 Bye for now, see you Monday.
01:54:53 (upbeat music)
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