THE MORVANT MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE

Strategy

The strategy is to engage in a positive mentorship relationship with the boys such that they would recognize a trusted male figure in their lives. Such relationship will include advising, coaching, encouraging and guiding the young person toward becoming a good and productive citizen.

Programme Preparation

Mentees and their parents were identified by the Principals of five Primary Schools in the Morvant area. The parents, mainly mothers, attended briefing sessions about the nature and objectives of the programme as well as their responsibilities towards success for their sons.
Brethren volunteered to become Mentors and participated in necessary training workshops during 3 consecutive Saturdays in July 2023 resulting in 12 Brethren having completed the training programme.

Programme Execution

The programme commenced with a Residential Camp at the Defence Force Reserves Camp in Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas from 5th – 12th August for 6 boys, under the able direction of an individual, very experienced in treating with youth – Mr. Terrence Cesar – a Primary School Principal, a Deputy National Scout Commissioner and an important resource in the development of the programme. The camp included several learning experiences through sports and educational day trips to expose them to future possibilities for livelihoods e.g. tours of Pt. Lisas Industrial Estate, NIHERST, Trinidad and Tobago Television, Radio 91.1FM, Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, Brian Lara Cricket Stadium, Naparima Hill, and learning the skill of Kayaking. At the conclusion of the Camp, Mentors were paired with the boys and were introduced to the respective parents, mainly mothers. Programme Contracts were prepared and signed between Mentor, Parent and Mentee. With those instruments, the establishment of Mentor/Mentee relationships commenced and they have been continuing and strengthening. Group activities thus far have included participation in the District Grand Lodge Children’s Day and Outings to private estates in Aripo and in Maracas-St. Joseph in September and February respectively where the peacefulness of those environments moved one Mentee to remark “how beautiful it was to get away from the noise and tensions of his neighbourhood”.
A supplementary positive intervention was the acquisition of school books, supplies and uniforms for students identified by their Primary School Principals as children of promise (boys and girls) but whose parents lack the funds necessary to prepare them for secondary school. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Master and Brethren of Lodge Arima No.899, 16 students were properly outfitted and readied for the commencement of their secondary school life. 

Funding

The expenditure on material, logistics and fees incurred so far are being funded by donations to the DGLTTG from Brethren, Lodges, and some Corporate Bodies. However, there is need for further funding to support elements of the Intervention yet to be executed, for example Training of Teachers for Slow Learners. Therefore, any donations would be graciously accepted and faithfully applied.

Information Sources

• Institutional knowledge and advice including consultations with Brothers Carlos Hee Hong (Hesperus) and Michael Toney (Rosslyn) from the earlier “East Port of Spain Mentorship Project (2008 – 2012)”
• The Anthony Watkins report from a study during 2021 – 2022 of the youth and crime problem in the Morvant/Laventille Community entitled: “A Framework for Community Recovery – Developed by the Community Recovery Committee (CRC).
Special thanks and mention must be posted for the expert guidance, advice and Mentors Training Programme from Dr. Karen Moore, Clinical Psychologist. Her preparation of the Mentors to enable them to identify and avoid potential issues is invaluable. Additionally, thanks for the very able support of Ms. Thora Best who made initial contact with the Principals as well as secured the venue for all meetings and training sessions at the St. Dominic’s RC Church Hall. Ms. Best, now a retired Primary School Principal was a key member of the earlier East Port of Spain Mentorship Project and brought her experiential advice to the MMI.