The Enterprise community located in Trinidad and Tobago has been regarded as a ‘hot spot’ for over 25 years but is that really true? This was reflected in an article in the Trinidad Express: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Hot-spot-or-not-116429589.html

As a resident of this community I must agree that criminal activities usually occur on a larger scale than some areas of Trinidad and Tobago but does that warrant the title ‘hot spot’? Crime has escalated simultaneously in many other areas yet those areas have not been equally brought to the fore. In my view Trinidad as a country can be regarded as a ‘hot spot’ because no matter where you are in Trinidad crime happens for the many reasons highlighted by the villagers in the article and more. 

To recap the main issues raised by residents of Enterprise in the article: 
•Poor parenting - Teenage parents 
•Criminals from outside seek refuge in this community 
•Police post needed as there is little or no police patrol 
•Youth are giving the area a bad name 
•Poverty 
•Other issues have increased such as, unemployment, poverty and lack of proper education. 
•Skills need to be developed at an earlier age in areas such as; agriculture, sports, craft, trade 
•Government lacks vision for the country 
•No role models 

While employment is somewhat accessible and community activities exist, they cannot possibly address society’s major issues. These aforementioned issues should be dealt with on all levels. Most importantly, a crime plan should be implemented and the government has a lot to take responsibility for but there is also the whole dimension of family and community and the critical role they play in alleviating crime. Therefore, citizens need to lead this transformation process and demand what is rightfully theirs from the government. For instance, better policies should be implemented to ensure a secure and advancing society. Additionally, these social issues cannot be mended if citizens do not value their own lives. People ought to understand that life goes beyond the attainment of material things and find some sort of balance that includes spirituality.

We (Trinbagonians) need to take stock and do something about it in a collective manner before the problem escalates into an even worse situation.

A feeling of sadness swept all over me after viewing a documentary entitled “A cry for help – A Blazer Dan Story (Troy dan Cruickshank).”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbGQotH9O-I - Part I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q_DaVfMeYw&feature=related - Part II

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bckGoug9UyA&feature=related - Part III

This melancholy feeling was not only ascertained from the premature departure of Blazer Dan in 2010 but rather in retrospect of the livelihood of the youth in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension the Caribbean. It further begs the question of what are we doing to save our future generation and what plans have been implemented to reach the persons who are in dire need of assistance?

The documentary further raises many crucial questions:

1. Will good talent sufficiently allow for one to complete the various stages of life whether one may be an entertainer or an athlete?
2. Are communities no longer raising children alongside parents and how can this phenomenon be revitalized?
3. How do we treat with persons who utilize their delinquent qualities as well as their skills?
4. What crucial role has the government played in the rehabilitation of Trinibago’s youth over the years?

These questions should be reflected upon in developing strategies and policies that can improve the current situation of the nation’s youth.

To be continued…

Residents of the Lendore Village community celebrated the country’s 48th Independence anniversary by hosting their second annual sports and family day. The opening event was the football, which consisted of young male and female players vying for trophies and various prizes. These events brought both young and senior spectators from in and around the community. “We realized that the young people will be positively affected and constructive activities such as sports and comaderie will impact on their behavior as they are the leaders of tomorrow, says one resident” Most residents chipped in their dollars and cents to make the event possible as they believe that investments of this nature will contribute to crime alleviation and a reduction in delinquent activities.

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MTV is committed to alter young people’s thoughts, attitudes and behaviours about HIV/AIDS. It was announced today that there will be a part two of the television drama - Shuga. Shuga is a television production for young people, which aims to disseminate HIV prevention and education messages.

New research, revealed by MTV’s ‘Staying Alive Campaign,’ illustrates the positive impact on Shuga (part I) in Nairobi, Kenya. The campaign reached 64% of the Kenyan population and 80% of the viewers believed that this television-drama changed their thinking.

While MTV’s Ignite Campaign focuses on Kenya, due to its impact on the youth, there are possibilities for future productions in the Caribbean.

Tribes was aired in on World AIDS Day in December 2009 and is a drama set in Port of Spain. It aims to shine a spotlight on stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Unlike the Shuga production in Kenya, statistics from the John Hopkins research shows that only a mere eight percent of youth had viewed the Tribes television drama in Trinidad and Tobago, as an extremely small budget was awarded to this show. There was still a small impact among young persons in Trinidad and Tobago regarding their attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA). Reports also illustrate that there was a decrease in intentional concurrent relationships.

For more information on Shuga and the associated MTV Staying Alive campaign, got to www.staying-alive.org/ignite.

Youth Journalist - Rachel-Ann Charles (Trinidad and Tobago)
Right Here, Right Now!
Vienna, Austria
July 20, 2010.