Pantin bemoans TT’s loss of values

Charging that “were it not without the non-governmental organisations of TT, this country would have collapsed a long time ago,” chief executive officer (CEO) of the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL), Clive Pantin, yesterday called for the re-establishment of a value system throughout society. Stating that not enough caring was going on, and that TT had lost its direction and value system, Pantin is seeking to heighten social awareness among citizens of TT. He called on the relevant authorities to “put some money into those non-governmental organisations that do so much wonderful work and are suffering because they cannot do more.” he added these places were responsible for looking after abandoned children, as well as the elderly and the homeless.

Pantin was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain’s weekly luncheon at the Queen’s Park Oval, and was speaking on the topic “Social Consciousness” when he made the announcement. Telling the audience it was time to stop lamenting the fact that TT “is not what it is used to be, and that it can never be what it used to be,” he advised that it was “time for persons to press forward and make it what we want.” Questioning the Rotary Club members about whether or not they were prepared to get involved 100 percent in dealing with the poor in our country, Pantin said persons in non-governmental organisations should join such clubs because they had a genuine wish to help, and not because it looked good on their resume. Additionally, he urged them to always keep God in their thoughts while they “try to put back values into our country,” in dealing with the less fortunate.

“I ache everyday with what I see going on in society, and in schools,” he said, adding that he felt very sympathetic for principals today. Charging that parents had to bear sole responsibility in teaching values at home, he called on persons present to stop bemoaning the fact that children no longer had a value system of their own, and to adopt a more proactive approach, by participating in all their children’s activities, as well as the club’s. Questioned about whether Government was doing enough through social reform programmes, and if much more was needed, Pantin replied, “My major problem with our country is that we have too much money, and we don’t know what to do with the money.” Stating that 124 NGOs were affiliated with FEEL, Pantin revealed they met on a regular basis to discuss what assistance they can render to whatever the cause may be.