Religious leaders have a far greater impact in communities and families than the Ministry and Government. "We can give food cards, grants and hampers, but when the family breaks down, the neighbourhood priest, pundit and imam bring disconnected families back together again," the Minister of the People and Social Development Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh said. The minister was speaking at the YMCA's 47th annual general meeting at its headquarters on Wrightson Road, last week Thursday. He said: "We need to partner with faith-based organisations as they are nearest to the people as can be in a community."
Ramadharsingh said that while Ministry representatives were in the communities monthly, the religious leaders will be coming to their homes on a regular basis. "It is the local Baptist preacher that by preaching family values keeps the home in check by deep prayer and devotion," he said. "When the wife is challenged by the treatment from the husband and she intends to leave him, it is the neighbourhood pundit or priest who says no, but give it one more try," Ramadharsingh said. He said that the Government has been stepping up its social programmes and initiatives for the more vulnerable citizens in society by doubling grants, implementing the Children's Life Fund and increasing pension. "Every agency may have limited resources when assessed individually," Ramadharsingh said. "Collectively however, there are enough resources in this country to amply treat so many persons that are affected by social challenges."
He said that this was the underlying idea for the proposed $11.5 million National Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities. It will be the only one outside urban Port-of-Spain. "How can we say that we are a nation that cares about the disabled when we only have the Lady Hochoy Home and the Princess Elizabeth Home? Ramadharsingh asked. "What happens to the differently-abled in Moruga, Icacos and Guayaguayare." The first centre roll out is scheduled for Central Trinidad and five centres will be pursued in the long term he said.