US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Candace Bond and her daughter were given a warm welcome by the Laventille community at “Christmas on the Hill” at Sogren Trace Park in Laventille.
Bond and her daughter were joined by Homeland Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s wife Sharon Rowley at the event, which was organized by the Hearts and Minds unit of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and sponsored by the American Embassy.
(Photo: Maddox McKeever, daughter of U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Candace Bond; U.S. Ambassador Candace Bond; and Minister of Homeland Security Fitzgerald Hinds share holiday cheer with Laventille-area children as they enjoy a slide at the Christmas on the Hill event ” on December 23, 2022. Photo: US Embassy)
In a statement, the US Embassy said the event invited 1,000 children from the Laventille community and surrounding areas, where they were treated to Christmas gifts and treats, face painting, horseback riding courtesy of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Branch ( TTPS), a show. from musician Nailah Blackman and even a visit from Santa Claus.
The US Embassy supported the restart event, which had been running for seven years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The US Embassy-funded Gang Reduction and Community Empowerment Project (GRACE) supported the program by providing gifts, while the US Embassy’s partner, the American Chamber of Commerce in Trinidad and Tobago, donated over 25,000 vegetable seedlings to IATF to support community programs in the area.
The US Embassy said the GRACE project provides $1.5 million in technical assistance to improve community policing and intelligence-led policing to help TTPS address gang-related security challenges.
“The US Embassy supports Christmas on the Hill and other community policing events like it in support of vulnerable populations in Trinidad and Tobago. Through its initiatives in support of strengthening citizen safety in Trinidad and Tobago , the United States of America is helping to build connections between police and the communities they serve.”
US Ambassador Candace Bond welcomed the children, all members of TTPS youth clubs in Laventille and surrounding areas. She said she was excited to be part of an event that is about the spirit of sharing and noted the strong ties the United States of America has with communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago, and the Laventille community in particular.
She said: “One of my honored ancestors, US Ambassador John Estrada, who served as President Obama’s ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, was born right here in these hills.”
She also noted the cultural contributions of the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and soca artist Destra Garcia, also a native of Laventille.
Ambassador Bond said the gifts for all the children, along with the event itself, came from the generosity of the US people. “This is what Americans are all about: generosity, caring for our neighbors and spreading the blessings we have. The United States of America is Trinidad and Tobago’s closest and most indispensable partner.”
Video produced by Winston Sobers
