Features
Laurel V Williams
With the aim of preserving the history and culture of this country, a La Brea-based NGO is hosting a series of workshops titled A Taste of Trinidad and Tobago: The Culinary and Culture Project.
The NGO, No Youth Left Behind (NYLB), kicked off the series on April 4 at La Brea Pitch Lake. The program runs daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 10.
NYLB founder Quincy Joseph said the group focuses on a different aspect of culture each day. On April 4, members learned about Carnival, on April 5 they focused on Indian Arrival Day, and April 6 was devoted to learning about Eid al-Fitr.
Many participants sang Hindi songs together on April 5 under the guidance of expert Narendra Maharaj of Rousillac and a Hindu devotee, Keshav Shankar.
Young people are also learning about Chinese, First Peoples and Tobago heritage.
Joseph said, “The program aims to create ten cultural ambassadors between the ages of 14 and 17 from the area. It is a pilot project as part of the group’s national program to sensitize and prevent cultural erosion. We are also committed to teaching young people about agriculture, environmental awareness and conservation of national treasures.
“The activity culminates in a cookout and graduation Sunday. We (NYLB) are celebrating our tenth anniversary on June 18. Being the last day, Sunday is also opening the Tobago branch. We have 128 active members and about 200 listed members .”
Participants in the program include students from Siparia West High School, Vessigny High School and Rousillac Presbyterian Primary School. She also has membership in the La Brea Police Youth Club, La Brea Internationals NGO, La Brea RC Church and Lyrad Contractors Ltd.
“Our membership is growing. We have the support of the South West Regional Health Authority, MP La Brea, the National School Feeding Programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM,” Joseph told Newsday.
“To host the programme, we held fundraisers and received sponsorship from Caribbean Gas Chemical Ltd. The focus is culture and for the ambassadors to share their knowledge around the country with their peers.”
Joseph is known in La Brea and Point Fort. In 2017, the Point Fortin Borough Corporation honored him with a Young Developer of the Year Award.
