Every time I hear of another murder, I pick my phone up to see if it's one of my boys. The words of Minister of Community Development, Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, as she called on the latest MPOWER TT cohort, to make the most of all that the programme has to offer. Rynessa Cutting reports.
00:00And when I hear something has happened to a young man, whether it's murder, God forbid,
00:10or any crime, I check in my phone really quickly, is this one of my guys?
00:17I hate that moment.
00:19I hate that moment of checking to see, is this one of my guys?
00:26Before we used to complain about Mova Lavant Hill, but right now every single corner needs
00:50attention, every single community.
00:53And we introduced Empower to Tobago as a preventative measure, but now we need it just as much as
01:02any other corner of Trinidad.
01:06Empower is currently offered in four communities with plans to expand.
01:10The program is open to unemployed males between the ages of 16 and 40, with no academic criteria.
01:18Empower offers a range of life skills training, trade programs, literacy training, psychosocial support, and a stipend.
01:26It's no longer about simply having a platform to talk.
01:31After you talk and you share experiences, you have development of life skills, the peering with the
01:38psychologists and strengthening their skills through our partnerships with stakeholders like ALTA,
01:47the World Literacy Tutors Association, Cipriani College, they now get a little certificate preparing them, showing that they are well-prepared for the world of work.
01:58COSTAT, amongst MIC, so many others have partnered with us to make sure these youngsters are ready.
02:06But above all, Empower TT offers a safe space for young men to have the freedom and confidence to become their best selves.
02:14This according to one 2024 participant who was able to get his start as a recording artiste through the program.
02:21His first single is now the Empower TT theme song.
02:25To do a new for me in a position where I had time to record with Mr. Jaiga.
02:31It was tremendous because the space, and if I was in such a beautiful space, the ambience, the social part about it, how he speak to me,
02:44it make me feel like I know a young man, not just a fella that's there come to do something, you know.
02:51He really make me feel like I'm somebody and I come to do something important and I thank him for that experience.
02:57I really thank him.
02:59So, without further ado, I can sing my song for you.
03:06Empower the youth and make a change. Help them unite and create a way.
03:11So much are we struggling under poverty. It's time for us to accept the legacy.
03:16We've been down, but we've only got a chance.
03:18Time to put in the work and show them we are precious.
03:20Don't want to waste time. Better stay focused.
03:22To live or you're elevated, you need an education.
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