The child told police that she was staying at her godmother’s home for the Easter holidays and was invited by relatives to attend a Baptist church where prayers were being held in commemoration of Holy Week. The girl said while at the service, she was approached by a man who invited her into a private area inside the church where he committed several indecent acts against her. She said she tried to scream but the man used one of his hands to cover her mouth.

Police were told by the girl that she was threatened by the man to not say anything to anyone.

The victim said she never told her godmother anything because she felt ashamed and afraid but because the incident began affecting her mentally and physically, she decided to confide in her mother.

Officers of the Child Protection Unit were called in and the girl was interviewed and taken to a district medical officer where she was examined. The doctor confirmed that the girl was a victim of sexual assault.

She was expected to be taken back to the scene of the incident yesterday for photographs to be taken and the scene to be processed.

Yesterday a search began for the suspect who is believed to be a member of the church.

When police went to the church on Saturday, one church member was flabbergasted that such an act took place on the compound and remarked that the devil is stalking the land. The girl is expected to receive counselling from officers of the Victim and Witness Support Unit of the Police Service.

Even the iguanas in my backyard ended up being stolen and I would look out my window and see boys or young men pelting them down from the trees in order to sell them. I hear they fetch a good price. What chance would my avocados or limes or provisions have? How would I protect them? Now that unemployment is rampant in Trinidad with businesses and even government closing doors, who knows what might happen? GISL is gone, with perhaps CNMG to follow, so the time seems ripe to go back to our roots. Gardening would use both our labour and our ingenuity and would encourage new business ventures. Cocoa as we know full well in Trinidad could be king.

But how does one provide incentives to those who love the soil, but who do not want to labour in the hot sun, spray for pests and do all the backbreaking work, only to have some thief reap the rewards? There must be a solution, with things getting tough by the minute.

Becoming reconnected to the soil and the environment might well be a good cure for idleness, and vandalism. It would certainly help those who now see their resources dwindling. We need to think through ways to protect the entrepreneur who is seeking to grow food and develop resources.

After all, successive governments have been trying for over a decade to find ways to create new industries.

We could start a trade in bush medicines. All those brews that our mothers concocted, starting with aloes, could make a fortune.

Everyone in Europe now knows the medicinal value of the aloe plant and, of course, coconut oil is one of the new miracle ingredients that the savvy shopper across Europe has on her health food list. Some websites even claim that coconut oil taken regularly will cure cancer.

Think of the possibilities if some enterprising producer could package fever bush, for example, and really make it a commercial product. Has anyone tried exporting soursop drinks? The latest is that the soursop has huge medicinal advantages. But how do you stop thieves? There may be a solution in community watches, but if you live in Toco or elsewhere out in the country, where neighbours are few, then that may not yield results. Perhaps the local councillors might use some of that labour force that is costing taxpayers so much money and establish a form of community watch. I can already hear the cynics. Who will watch the watchers? In this day of high technology, would it be possible to establish a network that would set off alarms in local police stations when thieves attempt to infiltrate private property? After all, hackers seem to be pretty powerful and able to intrude even as one uses a computer. Perhaps we could develop some form of new spyware? But, the real issue is, who wants to make gardens? We seem to have lost the art.

A recent article noted that young children spend little time outdoors. They play with iPads and electronic games and entertain themselves via social media.

Across the developed world children increasingly no longer know what boredom means, or indeed, what it is to use their imaginations.

Many often lack fresh air because entertainment is indoors on a computer. This leads to a growing disengagement with the environment.

So, I want to propose a new initiative. A sponsored garden competition and festival to attract schools, children and young people to getting back to the grassroots — literally. It could even be tied to a food fair.

People might then learn to respect and appreciate the interconnections between plant life and the waters of the world, animal life and human survival. We may even see some small decrease in crime, since gardening is very time intensive and leaves little room for idleness and waywardness.

Perhaps some newspaper editor might take up my suggestion and offer a prize to the young for the best garden and a showcasing of their produce, which might even include sales.

Given the rise in food prices, a small vegetable garden could help sustain a family. It would also mean that the Ministry of Education would be supported in its drive to introduce sugar-free foods and encourage healthy eating among the young. We would then see a decrease in obesity, a disease that is fast becoming an epidemic.

P e r – h a p s these are fanciful notions.

But they m i g h t b e a r s o m e fruit

“There is a lot of consciousness about eating what you know and eating what you grow,” Rambharat said, adding, “The more we produce and the more accessible it becomes, we are able to keep the prices at a level where it becomes more affordable.” He was speaking after a tour of the Godineau River, south Oropouche yesterday as part of World Environment Day observances which is being observed worldwide today .

“Continue to respect nature and the environment.” Rambharat, who was accompanied by Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe, was taken by boat along the river to those areas which had been affected by last year’s oil spill .

“One of the issues I saw in the Godineau river and in the Caroni bird sanctuary was the issue of dredging of rivers and the way in which the silt that is dredged is dumped onto the banks. When you do that, you really affect the shell fish that is using the bank of the river as a breeding ground so that will affect the oyster .

“We need to put in some infrastructure to help the boat operators to be able to land and anchor their boats a little more safely along the Godineau at an area called St John’s and another area called Woodland,” he said .

Rambharat also said the river possessed the potential for eco-tourism as there was already some activity taking place along the river but on a limited basis .

At a meeting with farmers, Rambharat said he knows “the number one issue is land tenure; the number two issue is access roads; and third is the support from the Ministry” and spoke at length about the work of the Ministry and other agencies to address their legitimate concerns .

While at the meeting with the fisherfolk, he called on the Fishing Association to instill discipline among its members with a view to proper management of their facilities .

TT coach Dennis Lawrence announced a 24-member team yesterday but, according to the media release issued by TT Football Association (TT FA) media officer Shaun Fuentes, “Cato was released due to disciplinary reasons”.

Efforts to reach Fuentes for a comment over Cato’s exclusion proved futile up to press time last evening but, according to a story on top local sports website Wired868.com, the 24-yearold Cato, who plays for San Jose Earthquakes in the American MLS (Major League Soccer), was omitted due to an alleged breach of team rules.

The local-based players were involved in a 12-day camp in Colorado, where they were joined by the US and overseas-based contingent.

However, strikers Willis Plaza and Akeem Roach, as well as midfielder Jomal Williams, have returned to TT due to injuries while a hamstring strain has ruled out teenaged Dutch-based winger Levi Garcia.

Lawrence said he was anticipating the forthcoming days of preparations with his full compliment of players ahead of Thurday’s fixture.

“We arrived here on May 23rd to begin a training camp with the objective of getting acclimatised with the players available to us and I am able to say that we were able to get in some proper training which allowed me and the coaching staff to get a good impression of how the players would react under the conditions here,” said Lawrence. “The players have responded positively with a good attitude and the spirit in the camp has been good with everyone having a proper understanding as to why we are here.” Lawrence, the former TT central defender, continued, “Now we are under a week away from the match and we should have the full squad together from (yesterday) evening and (today) we will begin the final leg of preparations.

We are heading into it in a positive frame of mind and ready to focus all our energies into ensuring we prepare as best as possible for what is ahead of us.” TT squad: Jan Michael Williams, Marvin Phillip, Adrian Foncette (goalkeepers); Carlos Edwards, Aubrey David, Alvin Jones, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Mekeil Williams, Triston Hodge, Sheldon Bateau, Daneil Cyrus, Curtis Gonzales (defenders); Joevin Jones, Andre Boucaud, Kevan George, Hashim Arcia, Khaleem Hyland, Leston Paul,Kevin Molino, Hughtun Hector, Nathan Lewis (midfielders); Shahdon Winchester, Jamille Boatswain, Kenwyne Jones (strikers).

According to reports, the 40-year-old woman and her 32-year-old male friend were walking along Pujadas Street, St James at about 5.45am when they were approached by two men armed with guns.

The men robbed them of cash and jewellery and ordered the to the house where they were staying.

While at the house, two other friends, the other 32-year-old man and the 24 year-old woman, were also robbed of cash and jewellery.

One of the gunmen then ordered the 40-year-old woman inside a bedroom where she was sexually assaulted while his accomplice stood watch over the two men and the 24-year-old woman. The 24-year-old woman was then taken to the same bedroom where she too was assaulted.

After the incident, the suspects fled the scene and the victims made a report to the St James police.

They were examined by a doctor and Newsday understands camera footage was obtained by police to assist them in identifying the suspects.

The event featured an all female group Queen, a Korean traditional music group that promotes traditional Korean music with a contemporary twist.

In his welcome address before the start of the concert, Korean Ambassador Dooyoung Lee told the audience that each of Queen’s concerts aims to highlight the aspects of traditional Korean song and dance. He said: “I believe culture is one of the most effective ways for the people to understand each other well.” Lee said of the group: “Each of them plays unique, traditional Korean instruments with harmonies originating from both East and West.” Queen has been invited to perform in 20 different countries.

Lee said he hopes his Trinidadian friends, having been exposed to the groups music, will acquire a better understanding of the Korean culture and heritage through a more relatable and modern perspective.

“Likewise, I do hope that such an understanding will serve to further strengthen and promote the friendship and cooperation between our two countries in the years to come.” Dressed in traditional Korean wear, Youlee Lee on the haegeum, a traditional Korean string instrument, Ahreum Lee on the gayageum, a Korean board zither, Goeun Jeon on the janggu (drum), and Hyekyung Kwon on daegeum, a bamboo transverse flute, danced as they played their instruments over an up-tempo track. It was a dramatic start to a lovely evening of Korean sound and dance.

Ahreum Lee remained on stage for an interesting gayageum sanjo (gayageum solo), then came Yunju Ha to do a vocal solo Sijo – hwangjinlee. Over tracks and based on a Korean poem with animated visuals in the background, it was hauntingly beautiful.

Youlee Lee then played the familiar You Raise Me Up on the haegeum and the audience readily related to it.

The full ensemble returned centre stage and with vocalist Yunju Ha delivered another song familiar to the audience, You Are My Everything, from a Korean drama film Descendants From The Sun.

From the very first bar of the song the crowd reacted favourably.

Complemented with scenes from the film in the background, loud cheers came at the end of the song.

The ladies followed with an equally entertaining performance of Queen’s Arirang, getting the audience to clap along to the uptempo piece before the group closed the first half of the concert with Beautiful Korea, moving gracefully throughout their performance and leaving the crowd wanting more.

Indeed more came in the second half, this time though, with K-pop music.

For this half, the group changed outfits to pleated short skirts, fitted tops, tall socks and sneakers/high heels.

Lee, Jeon and Kwon showed off their dancing skills during their delivery of their K-pop medley of 21st century Korean songs.

Another outfit change saw the group in white fitted tops and frilly, red, pink and fuchsia skirts, delivering Spring of Queen. The next item elicited loud applause.

The Queen ensemble was highly entertaining with their playing of Mission Impossible and Vivaldi: The Four Seasons – Winter Ballad.

The group and vocalist Ha then entertained with Queen’s Melody and Gangwondo Arirang before they launched into Trini to D Bone, by David Rudder and Carl Jacob.

As that track began, hands started clapping and, with Youlee Lee and Kwon taking the lead on their instruments, the crowd sang in measured tones.

The lead singer tried to get them to sing into her microphone but they chose to remain as they were. However the performance evoked the loudest and most sustained applause of the evening.

Encouraged by the reaction, Queen returned for a lagniappe and, at the announcement of Gangnam Style as the final song, the crowd roared with approval.

Towards the end of the performance the group put down their instruments and did the dance to the song.

The crowd loved it and rewarded Queen with some more loud cheers.

Coupled with this, Bailey-Sobers said the population of older people continues to increase with the commensurate implications as older people are more likely to acquire a disability as they age.

Bailey-Sobers was speaking at the launch of the first national consultation on the revised policy on people with disabilities at the Eastern Regional Sporting Complex, Orange Grove Road, Tacarigua last week.

She said one of the fundamental functions of the government was to protect the rights and freedom of the vulnerable in society, which included people with disabilities.

She said as the government moved towards the creation of a new framework for this country’s development by 2030, all contributions were critical in helping it finalise the second version of the policy.

“Together we must arrive at a consensus on those amendments to the draft revised policy on people with disabilities. We are charged with an enormous and important responsibility.” She said one important requirement was a national policy to serve as a blueprint for advocating the cause and meeting the specific needs of this growing population and for creating enabling environments to allow their full integration, participation and contribution to society.

She said the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) recently required nation states, as a duty of care, to report on the progress of the adoption of the convention.

This country was no exception, she said, and through the ministry’s Disability Affairs Unit, sustained efforts were now proposed to put required structures and strategies in place to comply with the convention.

“In order for our country to achieve the laudable goal of developed- country status by 2030, much work will have to be undertaken to adequately address the needs of this growing cohort. The revised policy must be current, and it must be keeping with international human- rights perspectives on disability and, most important, reflective of those issues people with disabilities, their families, caregivers, NGOs and civil society deem of critical importance.” Bailey-Sobers encouraged all stakeholders, especially the community with disabilities to participate fully and let their voices be heard during the consultations.

Hill is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s theatre luminaries. He has written numerous plays including Square Peg (1949); The Ping-Pong (1950); Dilemma (1953); Wey-Wey (1957); Strictly Matrimony (1959); Whistling Charlie and the Monster (1964); Dance Bongo (1965) and What Price a Slave (1970). His numerous accolades include the Hummingbird Gold Medal in 1973; the Barnard Hewitt Award in 1985 from the American Theatre Association and the Bertram Joseph Award for Shakespeare studies from Queens College of the City University of New York in 1985.

Directed by Belinda Barnes, artistic director of the National Theatre Arts Company and Arthur Lewis, this fully staged large-scale production is performed in collaboration with the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Academy (UTT ) for the Performing Arts. The production features the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) and the National Philharmonic Orchestra, under the musical direction of Akua Leith, artistic director of NSSO. Written in 1954, Man Better Man is a folk musical that tells the story of a young man who resorts to obeah to win acclaim and gain the notice from the woman he loves. Aided by comedy, kalindas, and calypso, Man Better Man weaves a story of superstition and stickfighting, village-life, heroism, and the pursuit of love.

Admission is free, however, tickets must be collected at NAPA box office, 119 Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain, from noon to 6pm daily while stocks last.

There is a limit of two tickets per person. For more info: 271- 2894.

He joins the Hilton Trinidad & Conference Centre team from his most recent role as general manager of Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, where he led the resort’s opening in July 2015 and oversaw an extensive renovations campaign.

Prior to this, Maumaire acted as general manager of the legendary El San Juan Resort & Casino in Puerto Rico, where he managed the hotel’s repositioning in the market by creating a vibrant nightlife scene, improving both corporate and leisure business, and generating growth in social events and wedding revenue.

With nearly 30 years of hospitality experience with Hilton, Maumaire began his career at the Hilton Strasbourg, France. Since then, he has held several management positions at hotels in France, Venezuela, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, gaining experience in operations and resort management.

Maumaire holds a Brevet de Technicien en Hotellerie (Hotel Business Technician Licence) from the Hotel & Tourism School of Strasbourg, France.

He performed at the Mason Hall harvest in Tobago as well which he said he thoroughly enjoyed as he felt the love from his supporters.

“Home is wonderful. Being back here is not a rest period, it’s like a joyful period coming home one more time again,” he said.

Lord Nelson, 85-years-old, is considered a legend in calypso and soca with timeless hits such as King Liar, Meh Lover, Disco Daddy and Family to name a few.

Nelson, who left for the US as a teen, discovered his talent when he was drafted at the age of 18 in the US Army and later deployed to fight in the war in Korea. He began singing and mimicking The Mighty Sparrow whose music was gaining popularity. Nelson described Sparrow, a multiple calypso monarch, as one of the greatest calypsonians and a really good friend.

“During my time, while serving in the war, there were a couple of us that were West Indians and Caribbean so we got we little group and we singing we little calypso and me, I was mimicking Sparrow, (Lord) Melody and Kitchener; but I was mimicking Sparrow because he was the hardest and I ended up being that great by singing for my fellow soldiers,” he said, as he fondly reflected on his days in the army.

Nelson had no idea what Sparrow looked like but would soon find out in what some would call an “awkward situation.” He added, “One time I came out of the service and I was in a little steelband called The Magnets. Then after that, I got in a real orchestra kind of band singing calypso music but I was so good with Sparrow that if he made a mistake on a recording, I would make the same mistake, but I had never seen the young man and there were no albums in those days. Somehow I was on stage singing Sparrow song and there was a group of people coming up in front with a young man and they were saying, ‘let him sing it’s Sparrow’, I think is me (they referring to) and I saw the man coming up and I didn’t know.

They were playing his music and saying ‘sing Sparrow sing’ and I am waving too and they said, ‘give him the mike’ and I gave him the mike. When I heard him sing he sounded like me, then is when I knew that it is ‘The’ Sparrow,” said Nelson, as he recalled his first encounter with Dr Slinger Francisco.

Nelson said although Sparrow was his muse, Kelvin Pope, “The Mighty Duke” , helped him tremendously with understanding how to write and sing calypso.

Discussing his role in the invention of soca music, he said although Ras Shorty I is widely acclaimed as the creator of the art form, he said his input was valuable too.

“When people talk about soca there is a whole lot of me in that and I keep telling the story over and over, my music is not like regular calypso.

Shorty I was singing, Endless Vibration, and I was singing, Disco Daddy, and we got together and we talked about how we will try and make our music go further around the world, then I went back to New York and the next time when I came back I hear them say he invented something called soca,” he said. Nelson explained their plan was to combine soul and calypso music.

He said not being given credit for his contribution does not bother him but he reminded everyone that he still has the “medicine” and no one alive can sing soca how it was really intended to be done.

“I got the medicine, I got the background, Ras Shorty I had it too but nobody else can figure it out. I got the secret; they tried with something else called groovy soca,” he pointed out.

The Tobago icon said he does not plan to reveal the secret unless it is absolutely necessary.

The Plymouth native also spoke about being labelled a foreigner in his own country.

“Nobody knew about me, I am not a calypsonian, I am an entertainer that mimicked calypso and became what I am. I am famous around the world and my people don’t even get it, and I see people wearing jackets that don’t even fit them, they are given all types of credit and they don’t even know what it is all about.

“Trinidad treats me a whole lot better than Tobago and that really annoys me. When I hear about some of the top awards, I wonder how come I never got any and they sing ‘All ah we is one family’ and I wonder if they know who sang it; I wonder if they realise it’s me,” he said.

Nelson, touching on the state of soca, hailed the genius of Machel Montano but said he is not impressed by some of the music being produced.

He said Trinidad and Tobago has a lot to offer and artistes should try to develop what they have here instead of copying other cultures.

“You could imagine, they got four of five girls on the stage and singing the same thing ‘raise your hands and count to four’ and some smoke and thing going on, and who could wine more,” he lamented.

Nelson said he entered the soca competition this year to show the youngsters how it is done.

“I did not go up there to actually win something because I already won it. I can’t compete with them. I was just there to show them that without people like me, they couldn’t even have that.” Despite the lack of creativity by some, Nelson said he is proud of Montano.

“With all that Machel is into and is doing I always feel proud and most people know there is a little bit of ‘Nelo’ in Machel Montano,” he laughed.