Court Shamrock, a community organisation which houses socially displaced or homeless men has benefitted from a $150,000 grant to fund an aquaponics system.
Out of more than a hundred applicants for the Digicel and Shell partnered grant, Court Shamrock was one of ten successful groups for 2025.
The organisation’s chairman told our reporter Cindy Raghubar-Teekersingh today, the hope is to not only teach a new skill to the home’s residents, but to generate income towards their operational costs.
00:00For the past nine years, DigiCell's Epic or Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities Initiative has funded more than 100 projects across T&T.
00:11One of this year's winning candidates, Court Shamrock, a home for the socially displaced or homeless in San Fernando, was able to launch an aquaponics system today.
00:21Once we get it up and running, it will provide the centre with some products that they can use in-house, and the majority of it could be sold.
00:34That will generate some much-needed revenue to help to offset operational expenditure of Court Shamrock.
00:43Over 60 people either stay full-time or overnight at the home.
00:47Some have mental health problems, addictions or other issues.
00:51And the home provides rehabilitative strategies to help them.
00:55Shell TT has been a partner on the Epic program for about three years and was impressed with the Court Shamrock initiative.
01:02Court Shamrock is a credible and legitimate organisation that provides one of the most essential services to one of the most vulnerable populations in Trinidad.
01:11People who have lost their homes, people who are socially displaced.
01:14Projects like this give them the opportunity to acquire important skills.
01:18It gives them an opportunity to reintegrate in society.
01:21Applications for the grants this year require groups to propose a project under one of five themes.
01:28Agriculture, the environment, renewable energy, education or technology.
01:33Groups are selected on their project's potential to positively impact or to improve the community it is intended for.
01:41Annually, we look for 10 non-profit organisations or community-based or faith-based or even public schools
01:47who can apply for an Epic grant up to $150,000 to implement a project that will transform their community.
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