Therapist/Blogger
Cervical cancer begins in a woman’s cervix, but it doesn’t have to affect your family. It is caused by the Human Papillomavirus or HPV. The good news is there is a vaccine that can prevent it!
Early prevention through HPV vaccination can stop cervical cancer before it starts. Defend what matters most – the children’s future.
#LetsBeHPVHeroes #LetsEndCervicalCancer #GetTheVax #CervicalCancerPrevention #VanquishTheVirus
The government of Trinidad and Tobago continues to send the message that citizens are only as useful as their votes on election day. This attitude ignores a fundamental truth: the population is the government’s employer and should be at the heart of every decision.
A glaring example of this disconnect is the Government’s approach to wage negotiations. While public servants are offered a mere 5% salary increase for 2020–2022—a proposal so meager it was sent to the Industrial Court—the Salaries Review Commission (SRC) has recommended massive raises for top officials. These include:
These increases, costing taxpayers over $150 million in back pay, come while the minimum wage remains a mere $17.50 per hour.
University educators are also bearing the brunt of this inequity. The West Indies Group of University Teachers (WIGUT) has expressed frustration with Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s refusal to negotiate fairly. WIGUT President Dr. Indira Rampersad accused the Minister of misrepresenting salary proposals and offering a paltry 4% increase, forcing the union to explore dispute resolution mechanisms.
This issue transcends economics; it is a moral failure. Public servants, university educators, and unionized workers are fighting for fair, livable wages, while government elites stand to benefit from disproportionate raises. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has rightly denounced these proposals and called for fairer compensation for public servants and judicial officers—the true backbone of our nation.
The Government’s message is clear: those in power come first; the rest can wait. This inequity must end. Justice and fairness demand that every citizen, regardless of rank, receives compensation reflecting their worth and contribution.
This video features an interview with Carl Jacobs, a vocalist, arranger, composer, and businessman, who shares his journey from his early training in music at CIC College to becoming a prominent figure in the music scene. Jacobs discusses his musical career, starting with his initial band, Beams, and later forming other bands including Shandelier, which became a major success. He explains the challenges and transformations in Trinidad’s music culture, including the emphasis on loud volumes due to carnival traditions and the lack of structured musical education. Jacobs also talks about his international career, overcoming throat cancer, and his efforts to promote live music through his platform, Kafé Blue. Additionally, he reflects on his 54-year marriage with Carol, stressing the importance of mutual support and respect. He concludes by advocating for more institutional support for local musicians and a mandatory quota of local music on radio stations to preserve Trinidad’s cultural heritage.
In this program, Mikhail discusses his introduction to playing the steel pan through school and music festivals, and the progression of his career from solo performances to playing a diverse range of music on ships.
He emphasizes the versatility of the steel pan, advocating for its recognition as an instrument beyond Caribbean genres like soca and calypso. Mikhail highlights the importance of exploring opportunities abroad for pan players and detaching the instrument from geographical and cultural confines to allow its true potential to shine globally.
He also touches on adapting to audience requests and the value of reading music for quick learning. The conversation concludes with Mikhail’s vision for the future of the steel pan, advocating for it to be appreciated as an instrument on par with the piano or guitar.
I sat in this hall years ago, wondering what my future would bring. For five years, Holy Name Convent was my safe space, a refuge from the challenges I faced at home. Growing up on Quarry Street in East Dry River, Holy Name provided me with the environment I needed to grow and dream.
In this presentation at the Prize Distribution ceremony, I encouraged the young women to reflect on their futures and recognize their potential to make meaningful contributions to Trinidad and Tobago, despite societal challenges and stereotypes. I emphasized the critical role of women in minimizing criminality and corruption, urging them to reclaim their voices and leadership roles. By doing so, women can drive positive change and help rebuild the nation.
I also highlighted the importance of personal well-being, including physical fitness, balanced living, and intentional decision-making, as foundational to this transformation. Drawing from my overcoming adversity and achieving academic and professional success, I hope to inspire young women to take charge of their futures with truth and purpose. They were challenged to commit to their communities, embrace change, and lead by example, fostering a vision of empowered women driving progress and unity in Trinidad and Tobago. Ending on a hopeful note, I underscored the importance of balance, transformation, and truth in shaping a better future.
Dennise Demming 