Build on love affair with Laventille

THE EDITOR: Please allow me some space in your newspaper to convey my deep appreciation for the present efforts of the parliamentary representatives for Laventille East-Morvant, Mr Fitzgerald Hinds and that of Laventille West, Ms Eulalie James, in an effort to deal with the crime situation in these constituencies, especially gang warring.

Their efforts for some are seen as late, but should not be underestimated since it joins with other activities aimed at ridding the Laventille Community of yet another negative. These Parliamentary Representatives’ hosting of various seminars and discussions on the subject not only has aroused awareness, but also engendered a deep sense of confidence that each person can and must play his or her part in resolving the situation. This community spiritedness and pro-activeness, are reflected in the emergence of ideas, projects and programmes that are restoring confidence and hope for a better Laventille. Of course there is much more to be done by way of tempering minds and cooling down of the aggression that has characterised the present volatile situation.

I have listened to and read the many Laventille-centric concerns and projects/plans of personalities such as Archbishop Barbara Burke, Moham-med Shabbaz and Lennox Smith; all of whom have demonstrated an indivisible love for the people of Laventille. Probably the most telling expression of this Laventille love affair has found expression in the now reduced “Morvant Laventille Improve-ment Organisation Trade Complex” whose brilliant yellow shirts and black pants and skirts were proudly worn by hundreds of youths from all over Laventille on the way to their respective training courses at Fernandes Compound. In those days (the 80’s and early 90’s) all of the people of Laventille were proud.

In this wonderful period too there was very little youth delinquency to be found in Laventille, and the MLIO project was considered the reason for that. Maybe the resuscitation of this successful programme is yet the solution to the crisis of idleness, hopelessness and suspension of traditional, spiritual and moral values among our youths. Mr sister’s son is now a policeman, having graduated from MLIO’s Trade School. I also know of many others who went on to conduct their own businesses, travel abroad as skilled persons and others are employed in a number of industries in Trinidad and Tobago. The Parliamentary Representatives and the Government may wish to consider a similar type project utilising the techniques developed by MLIO that have worked for so many years and have kept many out-of-school and at-risk youths out of trouble.

GLORIA MATHEWS
Belmont