Three Trinidadian siblings living in the United States are giving back to their community in Claxton Bay.
Through their group Bright Future T&T, Glenda Valdez, her brother Rennie and sister Jenny Lee distributed school supplies, including book bags, textbooks and notebooks, to 163 students living at Bandoo Trace, Union Village and environs last weekend at Bandoo Trace.
The siblings, who lived in that community but migrated more than 20 years ago, formed the group on August 5, 2018.
Valdez explained that she wanted to form the group for some time but took the initiative after two of her loved ones were affected by crime in Trinidad.
“It was always something in my heart to do and I had it on the back burner. But my two Godsons, one got gunned down and the other one is in jail and I just realised that I could not keep it on the back burner anymore. I just had to come and do something and that is when it was formed.”
Catering to students between the ages of three and 17, each child got a book bag, which was bought in the United States and shipped to Trinidad. They also supplied Mathematics and English textbooks, as well as notebooks to the Forms Four and Five children.
Due to the pandemic, however, the event was not held last year and in 2020.
While they hope to expand to other communities in the future, she said for now they are concentrating their efforts at Bandoo Trace and its environs.
“I was born there so it is very near and dear to my heart and also I am a product of that community, so I understand the struggle. Not everybody could afford to buy books and bags, so this is just to help and support (them),” she added.
The group is also working on building a homework/learning centre at Bandoo Trace and hiring teachers to help students in the community.
“That’s our hope and dream, to build the club on that plot and have teachers...A lot of times, kids come home with work that parents may or may not understand. We not giving them (children) any excuse.”
Valdez said she and her siblings are also concerned about the crime situation in the country and believe that education can play a significant role in helping youths become productive citizens and prevent them from getting involved in crime.
“That is one of our main reasons for doing this. I realise that age group, we have lost a generation,” said Valdez, who added, “Crime all over. We are just trying to see how we can help youths to take their education.”
Valdez said their group has ten core members, including their other sister who lives in Trinidad, as well as residents from the community.
