The April showers did nothing to stop people from attending the annual Living Water Family Fiesta held at the end of April at the Princess Elizabeth Grounds in Woodbrook.
In fact, Rhonda Maingot, co-founder of the Community, said the fair actually had more people attending this year than in previous years.
"This is an event that all families and individuals look forward to every year, but in 2013, we decided to do something extra special, by having a true 'festival'–with a Kidsfest area; a Foodfest area; a Sweetfest area; a Gamesfest area...Just a whole lot of 'fests' that catered to everyone's likes and they came out to generously support this venture," said Maingot.
"It was truly a wonderful day."
The two major sponsors were Wendy's, who sponsored the very successful Kidsfest, and Trafalgar Motors–agents for Range Rover, Land Rover and Jaguar–who sponsored the Foodfest. Many other sponsors and well-wishers also gave generously to support the effort.
"We received overwhelming support," said Donor Development manager at the Living Water Community Allison Niles.
"I think this is testament to the tremendous work that the Community continues to do every single day in our country that we were able to host such a successful event."
"The Family Fiesta is one of our important fund-raising ventures to support our ministries and we are enormously grateful to those who braved the weather to support us but also to the many sponsors who came on board to make this event the success that it was.
"We are sincerely grateful for your contributions which are poured directly into sustaining our many ministries.
"The Family Fiesta provides a safe and enjoyable environment for families to spend fun, quality time together. And, we look forward to next year."
About The Living Water Community
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The Living Water Community is a non-profit, charitable organisation registered in Port-of-Spain since 1981. Its members work to alleviate some of the social problems affecting T&T and the wider Caribbean. Founded in 1975 by Rhonda Maingot and Rose Jackman, the organisation has grown to include 500 members and has established missions in the Netherlands Antilles of Saba and
St Eustasius, St Lucia and Barbados.
It also networks and supports 383 community-based organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Living Water Community has a wide outreach assisting a cross-section of the various populations irrespective of ethnicity, religion, gender, age, disability, and social background. Its raison d'�tre is to reach out to the marginalised and dispossessed.
The community actively manages a number of ministries including:
�2 A 16-bed hospice for terminally-ill patients with cancer. This facility also caters to socially deprived patients who are without access to home care.
�2 An 11-bed facility to care for people with HIV/Aids. Through nursing and medical care, some of the patients return to a normal life while others are cared for until the end.
�2 Caring Centre and Soup Kitchen which provides breakfast and lunch, bathing facilities and change of clothing for the homeless in the city. More than 100 people access the centre daily.
�2 Drug rehabilitation centres (New Life Ministries): Established in 1986. They offer a three-month residential programme, followed by a 21-month after-care programme. At present this is done at Mount St Benedict rehabilitation centre, Palo Seco Centre for Women, and in the prison system for inmates with addiction problems who are nearing the end of their prison sentence, a transition house, family counselling, and prevention programme.
�2 Home for Rehabilitation of Youths (Marian House): A second-chance home for up to 30 youths (15-21 years old). They live at this centre and, based on their development needs, are prepared to achieve their life's goals and become part of mainstream society.
�2 Home for abandoned and/or abused infants and children. This facility accommodates up to 25 infants or children whose families are in crisis and need a secure and caring environment.
�2 Food-Bank and Warehouse: In association with Food for the Poor of Deerfield Beach, Florida, cargo containers of basic food and household items are stored in our warehouse and distributed to/by three hundred and 303 Community-Based Organisations (CBO's) and Non-Government Organisations (NGO's) throughout T&T. Individual families also receive food hampers weekly.
�2 Ministry to Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Living Water Community is the honorary liaison office for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) and provides basic screening on their behalf. Also the Community provides assistance (including housing) until they are relocated. At present, approximately 500 such people are in T&T.