Town Hall Discusses Trinidad’s Economy, Education

Members of Howard University's Caribbean Student Association, Trinidad Embassy, Trinidad Cabinet and the D.C. Maryland and Virginia Caribbean population came to hear Prime Minister Bissessar in the School of Business auditorium Wednesday.

Bissessar won her title on May 24, 2010 making her the first female to govern the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago.

The event began with Trinidad's National Anthem "Forged from the Love of Liberty." The song was accompanied by the country's national instrument, the steel pan, played by junior radio/tv/film major, Gyasi Adams, a native Trinidadian. Junior chemical engineering major and president of CSA, Ryane Rollack, a Trinidadian as well, was the event's master of ceremony.

Speaker Nigel Scott, who earned his Master's in Law at Howard stated that the Prime Minister's presence brings back memories.

The Minister of Planning, Economic & Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs, Mary King, an Irish native living in Trinidad, covered the economic issues in Trinidad such as the decline in oil, one of the country's natural resources.

"The sweat of our own brows can work wonders," King said.

Minister of National Security, John Sandy, talked about one of the country's biggest issue, the rise in crime.

"Gangsters are attacking young school children," he said.

Sandy later stated that the children see jewelry and are convinced that they don't need school to become something in life. Sandy hopes to rectify this by having the children participate in after school programs such as programs that teach them to play the steel pan.

Minister Sandy encouraged Trinidadian students here at the Mecca to come back home, motivate and help set these children on the right path.

Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador to the U.S., Neil Parsan, and Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador to the UN, Rodney Charles, gave their words of wisdom as well.

Parsan expressed his love and pride of being a "Trini," and Ambassador Charles said, "Our people are good as many and better than many."

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley gave her testimony on how Bissessar supported her during her rough times.

It was not until later that, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Surujrattan Rambachan, gave Bissessar's formal introduction.

"Kamla has an ambitious goal of achieving universal education for children in Trinidad," said Rambachan.

Bissessar thanked all the speakers and those who came out as well.

"I visited various places, and it becomes emotional to meet those in various places from Trinidad and Tobago," said the prime minister.

For the remainder of the town hall, Bissessar engaged the audience in laughter, sang a couple words from Trinidad's Soca Monarch finalist Benjai "Trini" and went over her plans for her country.

"Despite the global financial crisis, our economy has grown two percent since the beginning of this fiscal year," said Bissessar.

Bissessar also stated that she would be focusing on the following to help boost their economy: sports, tourism, happy and health citizens, housing, construction, road infrastructure, food and school building.

"I do believe the only key out of poverty is education," said the prime minister. She plans on starting The Gate Program, which ensures free schooling for children in primary through tertiary school, and gives "each child in secondary school a laptop."

The prime minister plans on building five new hospitals and renovating two current ones. One of which will be a children's hospital.

"No child should ever again die due to lack of money for live saving surgeries," said Minister Bissessar.

The prime minister has launched her Children Life Fund in London and is expanding it through all of Caricom. So far, 20 children have been helped.

According to www.caricom.org, Caricom stands for "Caribbean community." It is an organization of 15 Caribbean countries that improve standards of living and work, enhance levels of international competitiveness and many other things.

The program helps in aid families in paying for their child's surgery.

Among the crowd were Trinidad natives, Dean Sirjue from the School of Business and Professor Ian Smart.

"This campus has been a great place for Trinidadians. Look at Stokely Carmichael for example," said Dean Sirjue.