Early in her life, her parents played pivotal roles in her drive and direction; each parent guiding her to pursue academics and sports, individually.

Shimonah credits their drive with motivating her to continuously improve on all aspects of her life.

For ten years, Shimonah swam on the National team. She was also the kids’ triathlon champion twice and placed in the top three at the national junior aerobics competition. She also took part in Math Olympiads.

“To balance academics and my sporting career was always a challenge which I managed to handle well,” she says of her natural ability to excel in both spheres. “This created the foundation for me becoming self-motivated, disciplined, and enabled me to achieve my goals and improved my time management skills.” These skills have equipped her with the ability to study, work, and manage her family and social lives to this day.

Today, she has a career in the energy sector’s supply chain field where she has been for the past five years, strictly in procurement for the last three. Her job in the Materials Department focuses on procuring both plant and non-plant items. Procurement, as she explains, is the sourcing, purchasing, and arranging of logistics from the vendor to the worksite, both locally and internationally.

Shimonah recalls watching “G.I. Jane” with her father as a child and being in awe of the lead character – the only woman in the army – also being one of the best in her field. “In particular, I remember how hard she worked for what she wanted and how she proved so many people wrong; I’ve always liked movies with strong leading women roles and an underdog story,” she says, relating this to the energy sector, a very male dominated arena. But she says her strong and diverse upbringing never taught her to view being a woman as an “obstacle”; she was not brought up to see her womanhood as a disadvantage or hindrance, and to always put her best foot forward.

Her work in the energy sector is closely linked to her father’s legacy; she reveals he himself worked in the energy sector for over 30 years. She and her family lived in Couva, and their proximity to the estate always left Shimonah dreaming of working there someday. Her first degree at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine – spurred by her father’s experience and support – was in Environmental Science and Nature Resource Management, with Minors in Biology and Entrepreneurship. Her intention at the time was to pursue a career in Health and Safety, but midway through her degree she felt a different calling.

“I discussed with my dad who worked in procurement and suggested I try to break into his field,” she says of her inspiration to follow in his footsteps. She pursued the professional procurement certification, CIPS (Certified Institute of Purchasing and Supply) and the rest, as they say, is history.

“I’ve always seen my dad as a super hero,” she shares of the bond between father and daughter.

“I wanted to be like him! He gave me the structure and framed my life as a child. He was responsible for me being more disciplined and determined, which I’ve now applied to my business life.” The “business life” she speaks of took root in September 2015 when she started her MBA in Trade Logistics and Procurement at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. It was her enrolment here that awakened her “entrepreneurial spirit”. “Being at the school unlocked innovation and creativity to be a profitable venture,” she says of the new path her life was about to take.

“My husband had friends who were having babies and he always gave me the task of finding ‘cool and unique gifts’ for them. I always felt like it was a challenge to find something great and affordable; I’ve seen stores sell some items but it never seemed to be a one-stop-shop for babies and mummies,” she says of the other occurrences in her personal life happening around this time. It seemed to click.

“The idea came to me in June 2016. In July 2016, I started doing research and found the idea was feasible and potentially profitable,” she says coyly. “I found my niche.” That niche is her maternity store Baby & You in Mind, a boutique that offers a range of maternity and baby items for expectant or new parents, in a variety of brands for just the right fit. Shimonah says she has heard many people complain of not being able to find quality baby care items at reasonable prices locally. Even in her own experience as a shopper, she has scouted for presents for baby showers and came away with items she was not entirely satisfied with.

“When I found something, my curiosity of the online price would be piqued,” she says – possibly a relic from her career in procurement. “Sometimes when you see the mark up of items, you feel taken advantage of.”

Thus, her goal with Baby & You is to provide a one-stop space for both parents and babies with quality items that do not make the pockets weary. The store offers top brands in clothing, travel, feeding, health and hygiene systems, furniture, brain stimulation, and toys for babies. For mothers, it offers2 breast pumps, storage options, nursing covers, pads, and carriers. Baby shower registries, gift baskets and certificates, as well as baby shower planning services are also available.

With its genesis as an online store, Baby & You in Mind moved to its physical location at Gaston Street, Chaguanas in March of this year. Shimonah is proud and says business is picking up as more people get acquainted with the store and its services.

She also feels a corporate social responsibility to develop local content and manufacturing in TT. While many of Baby & You’s products are imported, the business hopes to provide a platform for local makers. “Preference will be given to crafters that can make items that are tailor-made to our local market,” she says of her goal to give local manufacturers a space to sell their creations.

“At this time, we have one local crafter who makes handmade cards that were customised for birthdays and baby showers. We are also working with joiners to make local and customised nursery furniture,” she says, adding that she hopes this will reduce the amount of imported goods while encouraging and providing more consistent work for skilled local artisans.

Her ultimate dream is of having a sustainable store that fits all parents – mothers and fathers alike – and their babies. She would also like to distribute regionally in the future. “We hope that it grows into that one-stop store to buy all premier products for our babies. To become THE baby store in TT,” she says proudly.

She also shapes her business and personal life around mindfulness, clarity, and love. “I don’t think our lives should only be hoping to gain wealth or worldly success,” she explains, giving an example of a quote by Bob Marley: “Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.”

“I’ve always felt as though the quote was very profound. Sometimes with our busy lives we get caught up and forget to enjoy those precious moments with our loved ones. It’s important to remember our time on this world is short; we ought to contribute to society in a positive way – not only with our loved ones – but society at large.”

For more information visit

“Baby & You in Mind” on Facebook.

Bradley and his team of coaches are currently in Trinidad for the Avery Bradley Skills Academy being held at the National Cycling Velodrome in Couva, which began yesterday.

Over 100 Primary and Secondary school students learnt the fundamentals of the game and participated in shooting competitions on the opening day.

Bradley said he is enjoying his time in TT, especially since his wife is from this country.

“It is a pleasure (to meet the children). It is a blessing definitely for me to finally make my dream come true. I always wanted to come down here and be able to put on a camp. My wife is from here and I always told her I want to come here and help the kids.” The Celtics player said he tries to be available as much as possible, and hopes the youngsters at the camp will give back when they are in a position to do so.

“I think it is really important (to give back), we (NBA players) are like a myth, you don’t really see us all the time and you just hear about some guys. I try to make myself accessible for everybody that is why I do so many camps. We do six, seven camps a year. I am at every camp all day, every day.

“I want the kids to know that this is important.

If they get in my position with whatever they do in life, I want them to have that same mindset of giving back. That is what it is all about.” Bradley said it is necessary for the campers to learn the basics of basketball before they attempt what they see on television.

“We want to teach them the basics. A lot of kids, they just want to do the Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors ace point guard) step-back threes or the dunks. You have to be able to dribble the ball first, you have to be able to shoot a shot, a proper shot. That is what we want to teach those guys. We are getting there.” Bradley also said he knew it was important for him to concentrate on his academics.

He said getting good grades in high school allowed him to go to college and fulfil his dream of playing in the NBA.

One youngster who is enjoying the experience at the camp is Trinity College East student Israel Sylvester.

After the opening day, the six-foot three Sylvester said, “It was good seeing Avery Bradley. It was my first time I ever saw an NBA player. It was really exciting to see him.” Sylvester said he is learning a lot at the camp. “The coaches trained us really well and overall it was a nice experience. I learned to always keep my follow through and to keep very low on defence.” Sylvester, who is 16 years old and plays the centre position, has dreams of playing in the NBA. “Hopefully I will play in the NBA and I will play for the (Cleveland) Cavaliers, or if I get on another team that will be really nice.” Sylvester said the Cavaliers duo of LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, along with Golden State Warriors player Kevin Durant, are his favourite players in the NBA.

Concerning the remainder of the camp Sylvester said, “Hopefully I will get a picture with Avery. I will also like to get some dunks when we scrimmaging and just have fun overall.”

There have been nine horses bred in the Isle of Springs among the 14 listed to face astarter Carlton Ramsaroop for the 1800 metres run in the first leg of the local Triple Crown.

And the Jamaicans lead the betting market with Battle Cry at the head.

But Trinidad and Tobago-bred Caesar Country is expected to seriously challenge the Jamaicans./ Apart from Battle Cry, Jamaica-bred Valorous, Leading Lady and Galaxy are the prerace fancies.

Leading trainer John O’Brien will saddle five runners – Juneau, Battle Cry, Leading Lady, Lord Silver and Rocket Wheels.

Sopn Jake O’Brien will send Valorous and Galaxy to post while current champion trainer Glenn Mendez sends Caesar Country to challenge for the top prize in the guineas.

And he is hoping that generous benefactors will come on board to help stage the concert, which is expected to cost approximately $100,000. The sum, Liverpool said, will include rentals for chairs, sound system, advertisements and payments for artistes and band members.

“I am depending on sponsors to see if we can really bring this thing off,” Liverpool said.

Liverpool, known to the calypso world as Chalkdust, is also hoping that the concert will be held before Calypso History Month in October.

It’s all part of the Save the Calypso series, which was conceptualised by former president and associate provost at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Prof Kenneth Ramchand several years ago to celebrate the contributions of calypsonians and musicians.

Liverpool, who is also Professor of Carnival Arts in the UTT’s Academy of Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs, said the Save the Calypso series has already honoured the late Kelvin Pope (Mighty Duke); Dillary Scott (Mighty Cypher); Fred Mitchell (Composer) and musician Ed Watson.

“We have gotten people to play their music and sing their calypsoes. The calypsonians being honoured also get a monetary reward of at least $100,000 and a plaque,” he said.

Liverpool noted, however, that the economic downturn had forced UTT to cut back significantly on its expenses.

“The money for the calypsonians was given by the board of the UTT, but now there is some financial pressure because the board depends on the Government.

So I am depending upon sponsors to see if they can continue it.” Abraham, 77, died on May 16, reportedly from complications relating to Alzheimer’s disease.

Apart from his riveting social commentaries, Abraham was famous for his facial contortions on the Det insecticide advertisement, many years ago.

Shortly after his death, he was honoured by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation in a special tribute held at the Kaiso Blues Café, Newtown.

One of Abraham’s sons, Catholic priest Fr Bonnie Abraham, who officiated at his funeral, has since vowed to preserve his father’s legacy and that of other ailing artistes through the establishment of the Brigo Cultural Centre.

Liverpool told Sunday Newsday that plans to stage a concert for Brigo were in the making long before his death.

“We had already named the songs and Errol Ince had already done all of the music with the songs. It is important to show Brigo’s work, especially for the schoolchildren.” Should a sponsor decide to assist with the project, Liverpool said organisers may also consider paying tribute to the late Gaston Nunes (Smiley) and Emrold Anthony Phillip (Valentino) at the same concert to save money. In previous years, the tributes would have been done separately.

Liverpool said honouring the legacies of the country’s cultural exponents was critical to the survival of the artforms.

“When we had done Duke’s show, hundreds of people did not know that Duke did all those songs,” he said. “When people got to realise his contribution, which we analysed in song, people were able to follow it on our power point presentation.

And we also got people to talk about the songs and his work.” Liverpool said the trend of celebrating artistes only when they have died must be stopped.

“We don’t wait until they die to deliver a eulogy. We must deliver living eulogies about the person.

“For example, someone may do something about an entertainer and his music and find out why he used certain chords and why he used certain words in his songs. So we deliver living eulogies of the artiste. We don’t wait until they die to do so.

I offer my concern as well to all others who have been swindled, robbed and murdered in the rising tide of criminality that has brutalised this country for many years now.

Maybe because a priest was the victim the country wants to bawl today that we gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone. The lines are a perversion of S Carter’s risqué song but the point is that the country is now in a state of anguish.

It happens that I differ from the general points of view on the situation because I and many others have always been of the opinion that we had gone past the point of no return already.

We were gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone a long time ago.

Some of us in NJAC in the 1970s witnessed the audience reaction to a film called The Executioner when the audience cheered as a man was thrown into a meat grinder. I remember when the late Chief Servant Makandal Daaga stated “the executioner is here” following a series of brutal murders in Point Fortin sometime in the 1980s.

Just last year Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley stated that we are losing the battle against crime.

Not too long the Prime Minister had blamed the parents for the criminality. He said the parents were breeding monsters.

This time he said, “able-bodied, gun-toting men sadly represent the worst that exists within our communities.” His press release added, “These miscreants have parents and I hope that somewhere in this country today there are a few parents who are hanging their heads in shame as they reflect in private as to what more they might have done to prevent any of our citizens from behaving in this despicable way.” Okay then. But the delinquent parents are really breeding very stupid monsters.

Because, if as Harvey allegedly stated, “one of the gunmen became agitated and said to him, ‘You is a priest, you must have money.’” And then asked Harvey if he was kidnapped, would Archbishop Joseph Harris pay a $50,000 ransom? I am saying that the bandit has no common sense. A ransom of $50,000 equally divided would give each gunman about $16,000 and some change. So out of that they would have to pay the “rent” for their guns, they would have brought two or three pairs of the most expensive sneakers, Brazilian bundles for their GFs and they would want to buy his and hers premium drinks, like Hennessy and Cîroc, pay car rent, go for boat rides, give the “side chick” nails price and so on and so on.

By then they would have spent it all.

What they did get eventually was $1,000, a watch and a cell phone. So after all the threats and pressure they put on Harvey they had to run, most likely to start all over again.

I repeat that we have been gone, gone, gone, gone, gone, gone years now.

AIYEGORO OME Mt Lambert

Briskly following Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s outcry of “shame” upon the “three able-bodied, gun-toting men” who wickedly robbed and tied up Fr Clyde Harvey last Tuesday, many commentators express worry over the reckless shamelessness of so many young men today.

Added Dr Rowley: “These miscreants have parents and I hope that somewhere in this country there are a few parents who are hanging their heads in shame over what more they might have done.” A society is as lawless as its citizens are shameless. This requirement of “feeling shame for doing something wrong” is a key element in reducing crime and delinquency.

Forgiveness without contrition or shame is ineffective, especially in restorative justice and rehabilitation programmes. Being sorry and ashamed for wrong-doing must come before forgiveness if change is the objective. That is why for example, Catholics have an Act of Contrition to earn forgiveness for sins.

Shame is a mental prophylactic.

Its moral power is to restrain.

Examples: One youth says, “I am ashamed to do it.” Another: “I am ashamed I did it.”Another: “I will be ashamed if they catch me doing it.” On the dark side, a youth says, “Come let us do it, nobody will know.” Shame emerges from a good conscience. In building a democratic society, there are critical social and state institutions. The key social institutions to shape good conscience, that is, to inculcate values of respect, lawfulness, shame for wrong-doing are firstly, the family; secondly, the church, and thirdly, the school.

The key state institutions to maintain law, order and justice are the police and the courts.

Government and parliament, of course, create the laws and systems.

So why have shamelessness and lawlessness become so? Taking a priestly view, Fr Harvey said: “Some would tell you just look at them as little black boys who should go to hell. Those who are currently bleeding the society will get there before them.” Yes Father, there are many corrupt, shameless ones, adults, prospering in untouchable zones.

Why you think so many are lawlessly throwing rubbish all over the place and still without the required dustbins and effective litter wardens? Why you think a young man could go in broad daylight, without any mask, and shoot down people? Why you think lawless vendors now prepared to fight police officers? Shamelessness.

Why you think so much inefficiency and incompetence can be regularly exposed at Joint Select Committee meetings, and it continues to be business as usual? Our culture of lawlessness is inspired by shamelessness – both poisonous to the soul of the nation.

And right-thinking citizens must understand that the sociological and institutional roots of crime and delinquency began years ago. It is naive to expect solutions tomorrow. The toxic twins – shamelessness and lawlessness – grew slowly. Reduction can come from law enforcement that supports a combined and phased social, educational and legislative programme.

If you think another law alone will help cure such things tomorrow, you might be mistaken.

Shamelessness is immune to the law. In fact, it sometimes makes an ass of the law.

Check out how many laws have been already made in parliament – and yet corruption and tiefing thrive. Even with that package of bank forms.

A few years ago I was given details about kickbacks in one particular ministry such that will give you an education in corruption.

The 1962 promises continue to suffer from corruption, even from some who went to university.

The Land Settlement Agency will tell you that hundreds of people, already with houses, now rush to install structures on state land, expecting the promised regularisation.

If shamelessness and lawlessness are rewarded – even by public policy – what do you expect? The challenge now is for Dr Rowley, the Opposition and Parliament to use courage and authority to pull this country back, with some focus on the growing number of shameless, reckless young men and their parents. As my friend, Ferdie Fereira advised, country first, party after.

L e t ’s h e l p save our “shamel e s s ” y ou n g m e n f r o m t h ems e l v e s now.

Trinidad and Tobago managed to walk away with two gold medals last year in Guatemala, in the Girls Under-19 and Boys Under-16 categories.

And they will be looking to hunt for more medals at home.

The CCCAN Championships will be taking place from June 22 to July 2 where the swimming, water polo, diving and synchronised swimming disciplines would be contested at the National Aquatic Centre while the Open Water category will be held at Turtle Beach, Tobago from June 24-26.

Water polo competitions are scheduled from June 22-28 and will act as a qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

TT’s water-polo representation will come in the Boys Under-15, Boys Under-18, Girls Under-18, Senior Women and Senior Men categories as all teams went through their training routines, methods and drills.

In an interview with Newsday yesterday, coach of the national female teams, Charissa Hackshaw, expressed her ambitions heading into the competition. “So far the teams are looking very well, we started training just over three months ago where each week we conducted scrimmages and they have improved since.” She continued, “Now we are just working on the minor technical things and making sure we maintain the level where we want to be for the tournament.” Hackshaw is focused on her teams’ performances as she explained her main objective is to see them playing well and maintaining focus on the defensive end.

Also adopting the mindset of “a great defence is a great offence” is coach for the national senior men’s team, Andrew Francis.

He said, “This is one of the strongest (TT) teams I have seen heading into a CCCAN competition, in my years of experience, but what would win it for us is defence.

“We have enough firepower and goalscorers within but it is the strength and unity of our defense is what will have to get us through,” he added.

With the local players training just over a year together and the foreign-based players settling in under the natural conditions, the coach was able to pick his squad at the end of May and have been working with the athletes since then.

Slightly disappointed that the team was unable to participate in a preparation tournament ahead of CCCAN, due to funding, Francis is still confident his athletes have the physical capability and mindset to emerge victorious.

“Once we stay focused to the task given, we could pull off a surprise or two I believe,” Francis noted.

When passing by you were careful of what you did or even said. This has changed over the years.

Now we are experiencing the vandalising of churches, indecent acts being committed in them and this week a priest being tie up and robbed.

This in itself tells us of the decay of spiritual values in our country.

I hope these acts are not treated lightly and are dealt with according to the law. If these perpetrators have no regard for God and man there is no telling what they will do next.

Our country needs serious prayer but action is also necessary.

I thank God that Fr Clyde Harvey is okay but the bandits must be hunted down and dealt with.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email

This is the highest ranked junior tennis event to be staged in Trinidad and Tobago and this is undoubtedly due to the improved range and quality of sporting facilities.

Commenting on the presentation of Government support for the event, Darryl Smith, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, noted with pride that Trinidad and Tobago was again able to successfully bid for a major international tournament.

“In the past six months, we’ve had cycling, hockey, aquatics in the coming days, cricket in a matter of months, and now tennis.

I am pleased at the high level of tournaments we have been able to attract, placing our athletes and sports event management resources on display for the public.

“Our sports tourism thrust, using these facilities is beginning to bear fruit and I’m excited about the direction we are heading,” continued Smith. “The mega facilities in Couva and Tacarigua are reaping rewards for the athletes, governing bodies and the sport-loving public in Trinidad and Tobago.” Equally pleased was Tennis Association president Hayden Mitchell who added that the governing body is poised to make Trinidad and Tobago a regional hub for tennis.

“Trinidad and Tobago welcomes the best Under-18 tennis players from the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico for an ITF Grade III tournament.

With our local athletes having the opportunity to play against stellar opposition, we see this year’s JITIC as a major step towards our goal of having a top 150 ranked player from Trinidad and Tobago by 2026.” Smith presented the Tennis Association last week with support in the amount of $306,000 towards the hosting of the tournament. The public is also encouraged to come out to see the best of the region’s junior tennis.

Bourdain, a chef, author and television personality, visited the country in January to film an episode for his Emmy award-winning food and travel show which has been on the air since April 2013.

A trailer of the episode was released on social media showing Bourdain holding a Carib beer, eating doubles, saying he “loves the food”, watching a steelband perform and a jab jab costume display, and chatting with locals.

He was also shown chatting with local singer Kees Dieffenthaller.

The episode is scheduled to air tonight at 9 pm but Flow in a release yesterday advised customers that CNN will black out the episode due to the lack of distribution rights outside of the United States and Canada.

Flow reported that while the show will be listed on the TV guide CNN will air substitute programming instead of the show.

“We do apologize to our customers, however, this is outside of our control,” Flow added.

In an article on travelandleisure.

com Bourdain reported speaking to locals about some of the problems the island faces including gang violence, drug trafficking and ISIS recruitment.

There was some backlash on social media by locals who disagreed with Bourdain’s inclusion of this country’s crime issues in his