Over 200 children participated in the fun event and enjoyed a pool party despite heavy rains, as well as free dental check-ups .

Children came from the Couva Children’s Home, Couva; Florence Wesleyan Foundation, Upper Carapichaima; Angel Michael Hostel for Youths, Chaguanas; Raffa Boys’ Home, Mt Lambert; Raffa Girls’ Home, Malabar; Margaret Kistow Children’s Home, Malabar; Casa de Corazon, Sangre Grande, Ferndean’s Children’s Home, Point Fortin; Sophia House, Belmont and Joshua Boys, Santa Rosa Heights .

GFLF looks forward to the continued support of the public especially with its calendar of events for the rest of the year. For more info: 672-5157, email at giftforlifefoundation2009@ hotmail.com or visit the website at www.giftfor lifefoundationtt.com

According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation in the USA, a brain aneurysm also referred to as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm, is a weak bulging spot on the wall of a brain artery very much like a thin balloon or weak spot on an inner tube. The foundation explained that over time, the blood flow within the artery pounds against the thinned portion of the wall and aneurysms form silently from wear and tear on the arteries.

Most aneurysms produce no symptoms and may only be found during tests for another usually unrelated condition. The brain foundation admits that symptoms of a ruptured brain aneurysm often come on suddenly. If you have any of these symptoms and/or notice them in someone you know, notify the medical emergency services immediately – a sudden severe headache that is different from the norm, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light, fainting or loss of onsciousness or seizures.

Based on medical research studies, it is unlikely that you are born with a cerebral aneurysm; they usually develop as you advance in age and are more prevalent in women. Research further suggests that in the brain, causes are linked to specific factors including traumatic injury such as a blow to the head, an infection termed a mycotic aneurysm, a hereditary predisposition, cigarette smoking and hypertension or high blood pressure, use of drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines and certain blood vessel disorders, fibromuscular dysplasia, cerebral arteritis and arterial dissection.

In the same way that we take precautionary measures to protect and nourish our bodies, the same approach must be used to protect and nourish our brain. Starting with our food intake which should include whole foods such as fish, nuts and vegetables rich in vitamins, nutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Ensuring that you get enough sleep is critical to good health, as inadequate sleep contributes to brain decline and may also increase your risk of Alzheimer’s.

Establishing a bedtime routine sleep schedule puts you on the right track in both resting and protecting your brain.

A regular exercise routine is also important as it protects against brain ageing and improves mental function. Prolonged periods of stress are also harmful to the brain, as you may experience fatigue, poor concentration and memory loss. Remember your brain is as equally important as your mind, body and soul so treat it well! Sandrine Rattan is a communications/branding consultant, author and president of the International Women’s Resource Network (IWRN). Contact: thecorporatesuitett@gmail.

com or intlwomensresourcenetwork@ gmail.com or 283-0318

Also in the Under-11 division, Josiah Connell notched a double as Football Factory pipped Central FC 3-2 while Saul Rojas registered a hat-trick as Queen’s Park ‘A’ mauled Queen’s ‘B’ 6-0.

In the Under-13 division, David Rodriguez and Milan Martin scored two goals apiece as Queen’s Park I brushed aside Harvard 4-1 while Eastern United cruised past RSSR 3-0. Also in the Under-13 section, Santa Cruz FA were held to a 2-2 draw with Central FC.

RSSR , in the Under-15 category, trounced Laventille United 9-0 with M Salandy finding the back of the net on five occasions. Jayden Reyes and Luke Savery each scored twice as Football Factory thrashed Belmont Secondary 5-1 while Carenage CA played to a 1-1 draw with North Coast.

And, in the Under-19 section, Football Factory blanked Harvard 6-0, Step By Step defeated Belmont Secondary 3-2 and Trendsetter Hawks pipped St Ann’s Rangers 2-1.

Defender Richard Madas’ firsthalf goal at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo was enough on Sunday night for the Dominican Republic outfit to hold off the 2003 champions Jabloteh, who failed to convert a scoring chance seconds into the match and also had a second half goal ruled out, with an offside call, by second assistant referee Dane Ritchie of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Cibao, though, a club only in their third year of existence and coached by legendary former Barcelona academy coach, Spain’s Albert Benaiges Sala, had been outstanding while breaking barriers throughout the tournament.

Benaiges’ side had become the first Dominican Republic outfit to progress past the first round group stage, something Atletico Pantoja and Atlantico failed to achieve last season as the first two teams to participate in the Caribbean Club Championship from that country.

Cibao then dethroned two-time Caribbean crown holders Central FC last Thursday to reach the final, and now they are champions—the first international title for a Dominican Republic club.

Central FC eventually had to settle for a fourth-place finish, going under 5-3 on penalties against Jamaica’s Portmore United following 120 minutes of play and a 2-2 regular- time draw in the third-place match which preceded the final.

However all is not lost for Jabloteh, Portmore and Central, who, as the Caribbean’s second, third and fourth-placed teams, respectively, will gain valuable international experience at the newly formed CONCACAF League, which kicks off in August, and includes 13 Central American teams.

The winner of the CONCACAF League also secures a berth at next season’s newly re-formatted CONCACAF Champions League which kicks off in February 2018, and will debut the bright orange of Cibao.

Cibao put the hurt on Jabloteh in the 31st-minute when defender Dabas beat Jabloteh goalkeeper Javon Sample after the Trinidadian side failed to clear a corner from Haitian playmaker Charles H?rold Jr. But Jabloteh had the earliest chance of the game when Trinidad and Tobago international winger Nathan Lewis headed tamely at Cibao’s Argentine goalkeeper Juan Pablo Dominguez with less than 25 seconds played.

Jabloteh also started strong in the second half and three minutes in, Jamaican midfielder Keithy Simpson had the ball in the back of Dominguez’s net, only to be denied by the flag after a brilliant move on the left by Lewis who combined with Vurlon Mills before playing the ball across the area.

Dominguez then pulled off a fine low save to beat away a Jairo Lombardo effort just before the hour mark after Lewis had picked out Mills in the area with a cross.

However, finding the equaliser was as elusive as the unicorn, and without a natural forward at their disposal, Jabloteh failed to find a way back against, arguably, their toughest opponents of recent years.

The concerned mother of two of Indian Walk, Moruga says the attitude of people at the primary school her daughter attends makes her feel this way. Adams is demanding that the Ministry of Education investigate her complaints as all pleas to the school’s administration have fallen on deaf ears.

“She is not getting the attention and help that is required for her to succeed although she is willing to learn,” cried Adams. “My daughter who cannot even carry her own bag, is often left to fend for herself. I did all to ensure that systems were put in place at the school so she can learn despite her handicap.” Adams says her daughter dreams of becoming a medical doctor. It was in 2010, after ten years working aboard a cruise ship, Adams said she had to quit her supervisory job to take care of Webster, who suffered brain injury when she fell and hit her head. “She was a baby and I was holding her when I slipped on the steps of the Port-of- Spain General Hospital and she flew out my arms. She hit her head and this is the outcome.” Webster, she said, underwent two surgeries on both legs to enable her to walk. She now gets around with the use of a walker.

Adams said that in the past, she used to go into her daughter’s classroom and assist with her work.

When this was stopped, Adams said, her daughter began experiencing problems.

The woman said she is willing to go in the school and help her daughter.

Although at the age to write the SE A exam, Webster is in Standard Two because she started school late. “It’s hurting me and that’s why I am speaking out. I know my child could learn and has the ability. I want her to be independent,” Adams cried.

The relatives gathered yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre in St James awaiting the autopsy findings. They all said Pierre was a friendly and outgoing man who worked as a mason. Family members also denied reports that he was outpatient at St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital. “He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Three people were shot and he was the unfortunate one who died,” sister Kizzy Pierre said.

“He was not a miserable person. He was very friendly and talkative. If he saw you ten times for the day, he would have some joke or something to tell you ten times. He was always laughing and friendly. I have no idea why anyone would want to kill him,” said another relative.

Pierre was among several people celebrating the birthday of three women near Eric Connor Park, Pierreville, Mayaro when at about 2 am, gunmen stormed the party and began shooting. Pierre, Darron Pierre and Keron Williams were all shot.

Pierre remains warded at Sangre Grande District Hospital while Williams has since been discharged. An autopsy yesterday confirmed that Pierre died from multiple gunshot wounds. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

Lawrence completed a five-day training camp yesterday morning at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva before selecting the 17 players to head to the US. The final squad for the World Cup qualifier, including the overseas-based players, will be announced in early June.

The players arriving in Denver on Tuesday night include Jan Michael Williams, Marvin Phillip, Adrian Foncette (goalkeepers); Daneil Cyrus, Alvin Jones, Curtis Gonzales, Triston Hodge, Carlos Edwards (defenders); Leston Paul, Nathan Lewis, Hashim Arcia, Hughtun Hector, Jomal Williams (midfielders); Jamille Boatswain, Akeem Roach, Willis Plaza and Shahdon Winchester (strikers).

Also joining the squad later this week are midfielders Khaleem Hyland and Levi Garcia, as well as central defender Sheldon Bateau.

“We’ve got the two games against the US and Costa Rica, so the idea has been to prepare the boys in the best possible way,” said Lawrence, in an interview on the TT Football Association (TT FA) website. “We have had five sessions at home with a group of players who have been able to help us start the preparations. The idea is to get there (Denver) and try to acclimatise as quick as possible so we will be starting work there immediately.

“Seventeen players will be travelling on Tuesday. Some will be coming back because the final squad has not been selected as yet.We expect to have the full contingent on June 4th.” Lawrence continued, “we’ve arranged two closed-door games.

We will play Colorado Rapids in two matches and its suits us because they are a home team there.

It will be a good competitive test for us.” Lawrence said it was vital for the TT squad to believe that they can pull off a positive result in Denver.

“Everyone understands the history shows that it’s not a nice place for us in terms of collecting points but we have to believe that we can go there and get points. We have to go there and be positive and brave as I continue to say. I have tried to emphasise to the boys is that we are leaving here and starting with a point so the idea is we are not going there to give away the point, but instead add to the point that we’ve already got,” Lawrence added.

“When we get to Costa Rica we will deal with that but the idea now is to come away with a positive result in the next game which is against the United States.” The former TT central defender continued, “the main thing is to make sure that from an acclimatisation point that we are well prepared physically. In terms of how we intend to approach the games, we are going to be on the front foot and try to compete with them. We are going to go toe-totoe because I don’t think we can afford to sit back and allow the US to take full control of the game. It’s not going to be easy because historically it’s not a generous place for us to go to but we need to try and start thinking differently now and believe we can go there and accomplish things.”

Gopeesingh claimed there are gross irregularities in the award of contracts by the EFCL that sugests rank corruption through bid-rigging and insider trading. He said there were also issues with the Central Tenders Committee that have undermined the role of the executive and breached official regulations and procedures outlined in the State Enterprises Performance Monitoring Manual.

Gopeesingh alleged that people within the EFCL were major general election campaign operatives for a sitting Cabinet member. He said this was clearly a case of jobs for PNM “party hacks”, who in turn, award contracts to the “boys”.

The Couva couple pleaded guilty to the related charges and is expected to return to court today to be sentenced.

The court heard that last week Tuesday, the 65-year-old pensioner of St Julien Village, Princes Town was at her home when her young relative accompanied by her (accused) boyfriend entered and proceeded to tie her up, beat and rob her of $45,000 worth of cash, jewelry, two lap tops and a cell- phone.

The two were held last Thursday night in Chaguanas when officers of the Chaguanas CID intercepted the vehicle in which they were travelling.

The stolen laptops, cellphone and some of the jewelry were recovered.

Police said the victim was alone at home when the couple, who were unmasked carried out the robbery.

They ransacked the house removing several items including cash and jewelry before making good their escape.

Yesterday, the court heard that the boyfriend, a well-known offender has ten previous convictions including robbery, larceny of motor vehicle and house breaking

This inanimate object has been transformed politically into the vehicle for mouthing allegations of discrimination by the Government.

The fact of the matter remains that it was an ill thought-out vainglorious project.

No feasibility study appears to have been done.

A children’s hospital is like no other. All staff must be selectively trained. Salaries are usually above normal for both doctors and nursing staff. Not every trained nurse is good with handling sick children.

I once worked with a nurse who stopped having a family when she saw how desperately ill and how traumatic the suffering of some patients.

I have seen colleagues resign because of the sadness and depression brought on by dealing with patients and their relatives.

Just the finding of adequate numbers of suitable staff will take years. It will be most difficult to start this ruinously expensive exercise without partnering with some wealthy organisation or individual.

The Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba will be a source of constant revenue.

To not acknowledge this reality is to have your head buried in the sand.

LYNETTE JOSEPH Diego Martin