NGO, Chamber in launch

Launched on Wednesday at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (TT Chamber), Westmoorings, “Leaders Build” will be held in TT on March 19.

It is one of the Habitat for Humanity’s international projects, with country leaders and business executives in cities where there are Habitat for Humanity chapters, putting down their pens and smart devices to spend a few hours building homes for families with limited incomes.

Speaking about the role SMEs can play, TT Chamber President, Robert Trestrail, said “Sometimes, it’s many hands that help to pull this off, as opposed to one large organisation.

Leaders Build (presents) a tremendous opportunity for many in the SME sector to consider a small contribution that would go towards the development of a particular home and a shelter for a family.” Noting that “having a place to call home is not only a benefit to the individual but to the society, as it enhances prospects for peace, security and sustainability”, Trestrail said the TT Chamber hopes to encourage an even higher level of participation from among the leaders and staff of companies and corporations throughout TT during the March 19 event.

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate, in the most tangible way, how business can make a difference in the lives of those considered marginalised or disenfranchised.” TT Chamber CEO, Gabriel Faria, added to what Trestrail said about how, apart from smaller financial donations, businesses can donate in-kind or the use of machinery to help HFHTT and other NGOs meet their goals.

“We have a CSR Committee and we have found many small companies asking, ‘How could we contribute? We don’t have the capacity to have our own CSR infrastructure, so what can we do to contribute?’ This (Leaders Build) is an example of how we are hoping we can bring out many of our 600 members,” Faria said.