The Dynamic Youth Foundation (DYF) is inviting nominations of young nationals of Trinidad and Tobago between the ages of 18 and 35 years who have surpassed numerous barriers to achieve excellence in their careers. Executive Director Garfield George said: "Each year hundreds of young people achieve business excellence, place high value on community service and demonstrate social responsibility, yet many of them are never recognised for their accomplishments." Registered in 2004, DYF is a youth-driven, youth directed non governmental organisation (NGO) focused on promoting youth employment in Trinidad and Tobago. DYF enjoys the patronage of Maxine Richards, daughter of the President Professor George Maxwell Richards. It is best known for hosting its largest event to date, Metamorphosis. This event, a Youth Cook-Off, sought to explore the culinary industry as a career for young people by showcasing more than 40 young potential cooks from T&T.
The events held in 2004 and 2005 provided opportunities for them to compete for numerous prizes which included a full Scholarship for a Diploma in Culinary Arts sponsored by bpTT. To date DYF recognises one of the awardees of the scholarship, Ken Williams, who has excelled in the field and is now one of the head chefs and trainer at the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, and also operates his own catering service, Sides Catering, out of St James. In 2005, DYF published its first book entitled I Can Do Anything. Written by Garfield George, the book sought to educate readers on how to prepare an interview-winning resume and be successful. To date more than 10,000 copies were distributed free of charge nationwide. Since then, DYF has coordinated numerous community outreach workshops on youth empowerment using the theme I Can Do Anything.
This year, DYF is attempting to foster an entrepreneurial and business culture amongst local youth by the production of a book titled Dynamic Youth-Why Not A Youth?
DYF hopes that it will inspire young people to strive for excellence and provide a learning experience for employees and students wishing to explore different entrepreneurial and job opportunities. This book will recognise youths for their achievements in various career categories based on merit, including youth in Law, Agriculture, Designing, Teaching, Politics, Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Sports and other disciplines. The objective is that participants will be nominated by various stakeholders and very carefully short listed by a nominations committee to reflect the diversity of T&T youth. Dynamic Youth-Why Not A Youth? will be launched at a gala awards ceremony in August 2011 to commemorate International Youth Day. The book will celebrate youth, the next generation, continuing the tradition and reinventing the role of youth in society.
More Info: For further information and nomination forms, contact Althea John-Baptiste at dynamic.kids@tstt.net.tt or call 788-2144 or 665-8541.