Features
Carol Quash
Kadija Dyer is a familiar face in the Maraval office of the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT).
She is finance officer, team leader for public relations and communications, and is responsible for the youth education and development program – the latter she considers one of her “babies”.
“I like working with young people. Many times they are misunderstood, but what I like about them is that they are very innovative. We just have to find ways to get them.”
She told WMN that part of her role in the youth education and development program is to find ways to interest and involve young people in the programs offered by the committee and to disseminate information, especially of a historical nature. .
She said she was instrumental in developing the National African History Quiz competition, now an annual event organized by the committee. One of its objectives is to help students, teachers and involved parents learn, understand and appreciate the country’s African heritage.
ESCTT also organizes an annual spoken word competition, which encourages its young participants to use the spoken word as a tool for social and cultural development and to help students develop their oratorical and dramatic skills.
“Through these programs I have kids who participated run up to me now and tell me how much they love racing, students who didn’t like history before they went on to do it. Some even volunteer and want to be part of the village (Emancipation).
Dyer said she started working on the quiz competition structure when she was a student and working part-time at ESCTT.
“Then I didn’t have that much time, because I was focused on my studies. But I did the research, and when I got a full-time job here, I decided it was time to do it.
Coincidentally, it was the same year that the UN declared 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent.
Dyer, from Morvant, has an associate degree in tourism and hospitality management from the now defunct TT Institute of Hospitality and Tourism and a bachelor’s degree in tourism management from UWI, St Augustine. Both times she did her internship at ESCTT – an organization formed in 1992 as an umbrella body to strengthen emancipation celebrations in TT.
“Working with the commission means a lot. It keeps me grounded and humble. As a young African woman, I know who I am and my time here has allowed me to learn more, appreciate and accept my culture,” the 35-year-old told WMN.
She said that even when she was a student at Success Laventille Composite (now Success Laventille Secondary), she was encouraged to get involved in the committee by poet, playwright, librarian and cultural activist Eintou Pearl Springer.
“People say a lot of things but I’m very proud to have been a student at Success Laventille…I was captain of the under 17 netball team under the now late coach David Williams…History was one of the subjects I did for CXC. Aunt Eintou suggested I get involved.”
But even long ago she was made aware of her history as an African descendant.
“Growing up, my parents always brought us to Emancipation Village…When I was studying and looking at the list of places for an internship, I chose to do it at the Emancipation Support Committee.”
Dyer is the mother of a ten-month-old son and runs a business – Bezaleel Designs – with her partner.
“I do clothing customization, signage and prints, and I also do event planning.”
She said that although she is involved in many things, for her it is all about time and self-management, which she has “matured over the years”.
“Besides, when you love what you do, you don’t see it as work.”
But, she said, on Emancipation Day tomorrow, it won’t be all about work, as she intends to trade her regular duties to attend the festivities, especially since she hasn’t felt the vibrancy of personal celebrations for two years. . .
“I haven’t walked the street processions since 2013 because I’m always with the team serving breakfast during the procession, or hosting guests at the Queen’s Park Savannah for the awards ceremony.
“This year I told them that I am not hosting, I have to walk in the procession, with my child.
“The ancestors usually send rain every Emancipation Day, so if it rains he (her son) will go in the car with my dad. I’m walking in honor of my mother, who died in 2020. She was my friend the best… my father is my rock.”
She is very excited to get all dressed up in full African regalia and take part in the Emancipation Day events, starting with the libation at 4am at the All Stars Garden on Duke Street, Port of Spain , “where the riots started. Then to the treasury building for the street procession.”
This will be followed by the awards ceremony in Savannah.
“Then, from 7 p.m., we do the flambeau procession back to the All Stars garden.
“I’m really excited. I can’t wait to see everyone at Emancipation in their full kingdom. We’ve been away from it for two years.”
And the day after Emancipation Day, Dyer plans to bring down the curtains on the 2022 celebrations with a very special breakfast.
“I really like fish sauce and plantain,” she said with a smile. “I also love the beach, a good book and a good movie…I can’t wait for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. I will be there, dressed in my white African attire.”
