Soroptimist International of Trinidad & Tobago
Projects
Watching Actions Bear Fruit - February 5, 2009
2009 Women’s Prison Calypso Competition
On February 5, 2009, the sisters of the SI St. Augustine accepted an invitation to attend the carnival celebrations at the Women’s Prison, Golden Grove, Arouca. The invitation was not unusual as the Club had been one of the pioneers of this event over its 24 year history with the institution. What was a pleasant surprise was the scale of the function. This calypso show was one of four that the Prison administration had organized for the inmates. This event was important in showcasing Prison reform taking place in prisoner’s rehabilitation process.
Although the Commissioner of Prisons, Mr. John Rougier was absent due to pressing work matters, the Deputy Commissioner of Prisons and the Senior Superintendent attended bringing greeting for a successful and enjoyable function.
As a relatively new member of the Club (having joined in 2000), I knew the history of the Club’s association with the Women’s prison and how it managed the challenges as it struggled to maintain current and relative, even as new organizations became involved in the lives of the inmates and at times threatened the Club’s raison de etch. Yesterday though, I sat like a proud mother watching her child graduate from Grammar School to University. Yesterday, I felt like I did when our Club was recognized and awarded the certificate of Goodwill and Understanding at the 74th Annual Conference held in Barbados in October 2008. How much more was the pride on Sister Fay’s face; her involvement with the prison went back over twenty years.
The carnival celebrations were grand. It was no longer an in-dorm performance with a small musical band. It was an outdoors concert. It saw the collective contributions of the Government through the Ministry of Culture, the National Carnival Commission (carnival judges), corporate sponsors, individuals, clubs like SI St. Augustine and the Women’s prison administration. It was being televised by no less than three television stations for news coverage the same night. It was a tribute to our country’s motto of being a rainbow people.
At the centre were the inmates who for a few hours were free to sing, dance and play mas. On the televised news coverage later that night, the second and third place winners (in jail for drug trafficking) spoke of their reasons/involvement in the competition. One stated that she was a foreigner in jail and did not receive visits from her family overseas. It was the price she was paying for her crime; no one’s fault but her own for trying to take a short-cut through life. Another stated that she wanted her family especially her son to see her on television and be proud of his mother.
There were sixteen contestants of all ages. All composed their own calypsoes (traditional, chutney and soca) to the accompaniment of the Men Prison’s Musical Orchestra inclusive of a very powerful sound system. (This is another great achievement as the band comprises principally male inmates). These calypsoes ranged from the humorous and satirical (life in the prison and the reason for incarceration) to social commentary (the ills plaguing the society of Trinidad and Tobago). Two inmates played the role of Master and Ceremonies and could challenge even the best in the land.
The backdrop for the stage was the work of a female prison officer attached to the Women’s prison for the past eleven years. She was recognized for her contributions by her fellow officers especially as she was being transferred to another facility. She encouraged the inmates to keep up the high standard of cleanliness and to give her successor the same level of respect they had afforded her over the years. The inmates showed their appreciation for her words.
The specially invited guests included persons from the calypso fraternity and as one of the guest artistes advocated, the contestants could be singing in calypso tents on their release from prison. To everyone’s surprise, one of the corporate sponsors had already arranged for the inmates musical compositions to be recorded and copyrighted. For me, that was another milestone showing the advancement of this event.
Fellow sisters (Fay, Colleen, Keisha and Elizabeth) along with the Commissioner’s wife, Mrs. Veronica Roguier watched in awe as the inmates performed. The contestants were rewarded with the prizes which included trophies from large and small corporate sponsors and a past Commissioner-of-Prisons and generous hampers.
Kudos, praise and thanks must go to the female prison officers especially Mrs. Clarke and her team who organized this event. The respect and love demonstrated to engage the spirits of these young ladies, incarcerated though they maybe, was tremendous.
As the parent who planted the seed, it was a joy to see that plant bearing fruit in such abundance.
Lesson learnt: Maintain a presence in the event but let go. Appreciate how the seed has geminated and watch it blossom and grow. Fellow sisters, our task is to find new avenues and adventures to engage the inmates.
Celebration of World Food Day – October 16th 2006
On October 18th 2006, the Soroptimist International of St. Augustine, donated seedlings to the St. Mary’s Children’s Home (Orphanage) in Commemoration of World Food Day. The project sought to fulfill the fundamental needs of education, social development and respect for the environment, with the children of the home. The ceremony included a brief talk to the children, done by Justice Monica Barnes, advising them to nurture the seedlings in their agricultural gardens, and to anticipate the growth of fruit. Among the seedlings donated were oranges, pommecythere, portugals, melongene and cassava sticks. Some of the Club’s Members visited the Home, where there was a formal handing over ceremony to the Home’s manager, in the presence of some of the Home’s children.
The St. Mary’s Children’s Home was established 150 years ago, on July 7th 1875. The Home presently cares for 135 children from the toddler age group to young adults. The Home has a full time staff, which cares for the children as well as teaches at the Home’s Primary school which is on the compound.
The project was well received, as the Home considered this to be a kind gesture made by the Club. In addition, they intend to highlight the occasion in the ongoing one year celebration of their 150th Anniversary.
In photo: Justice Barnes makes the formal presentation of seedlings to the
Manager of the Home, Ms. Martin. Also present are from left: Children of the Home,
Rae-Ann Clement, and President Raj Bhaggan-Wegner (centre).
Project Courage at the Women’s Prisons – visit by Her Excellency
Start date: May 5, 2007
Categories: Human Rights / Education / Economic and Social Dev. / Health / Environment / International Goodwill and Understanding
Aim/Purpose of Project: Our patron paid her first visit to the female inmates on Saturday May 5th 2007 in celebration of this year’s Mother’s Day. The event which included cultural performances by four (4) of the inmates was also attended by Mr. Fitzgerald Hinds, the Honourable Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Mr. John Rougier, the Commissioner of Prisons and Mrs. Veronica Rougier. The First Lady and dignitaries present viewed Mothers’ Day Cards which were made by the inmates, for their children; handy-crafts and an electronic/plumbing display. Following this event, the First Lady, Messrs. Hinds and Rougier and Members of S.I. St. Augustine were invited to tea hosted by Mrs. Rougier.
Partnerships: N/A
Participating Sisters: see photo below
Outcome: The Club and its work in Soroptimism gained publicity as a result of the visit, as articles were featured in two of the daily newspapers - Express Newspaper dated July 5th 2007 and Newsday Newspaper July 9th 2007.
Her Excellency with Members of SI St. Augustine
From left (standing) : Alice Lucas, Norma Gabriel, Yasmin Ali, Suzanne Roach, Nesta Patrick, Colleen Alexander, Dr. Martha Frederick-Franklin, Cecilia Look Kong, Fay Nobrega, Sonia Ramsaran-Manjoo, Rae-Ann Clement, Dr. Jeanette Morris, Mrs. Veronica Rougier (wife of Commissioner John Rougier), Joyce Ramsaran.
From left (sitting): Raj Bhaggan-Wegner (SI St. Augustine President), Her Excellency Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards, Justice Monica Barnes.
Contact: Ms. Raj Bhaggan-Wegner (President); Ms. Colleen Alexander.
|
|
|
 |
 |