On Friday, May 22, I visited the Youth Office at the Woodbrook Youth Facility of the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development and I was amazed to find that this was what the Government of T&T has as a youth office.
To my amazement there were no functioning computers, by extension no Internet, printer or fax machine. I was informed that there were also no photocopying services available. All the office space contained was desks, chairs and a conference table.
I inquired from the staff as to how long they have been working under these conditions and was stunned when they informed me it has been years they have been working without the basic tools and equipment. They said that several meetings were held with both the minister and permanent secretary but all of their pleas fell on deaf ears.
To the staff at the Youth Office, please continue to work for the betterment of the nation's youth; hopefully one day the permanent secretary and minister will heed your call for basic tools and equipment to do your job!
Susan Fitzgerald
Santa Cruz