Methanex brings joy to senior citizens in Couva

Twenty volunteers, some accompanied by their children, attacked the task with gusto, planting a variety of herbal spices such as celery, parsley, chadon beni and chive and short-term crops of tomato, sweet pepper, pimento and ochro. For good measure, they also put down a few saplings of citrus and pomegranate.

“This is indeed a heartwarming gesture from Methanex. We have a lot of expenses at the home and these crops will go a long way in helping to lower our grocery bill. In addition, the residents will tend to the plants which will provide them with a welcome form of exercise,” said Latika Mohammed, Manager of the Home which houses 18 residents.

CAP member, Wendy Lee, said the Methanex Community Advisory Panel was delighted to extend its community outreach programme to the Couva Home for the Aged.

“This project fits snugly within our mandate of reaching out to our fence line communities in Central Trinidad. By starting this kitchen garden, we are actually helping these residents to help themselves.

At the end of the day, they will literally reap the fruits of their own labour.

I found this project to be very satisfying and was glad to engage two of my students in helping the elderly,” said Lee, a teacher at Holy Faith Convent, Couva.

Methanex’s Deborah Samaru said that this volunteer initiative underscores the Responsible Care® ethic that Methanex adheres to “The best legacy we can leave is the betterment of society and improving people’s lives. Bringing joy to the lives of some of our senior citizens is one way we are living the ethic.” CAP member, Ravi Ramlagan, engaged friends from the Lower Mc Bean Action Committee whose agri know-how was valuable in supervising the planting. Committee member, Reynold Johnson, noted that “we are doing this in the spirit of the season where our actions will bring joy to people.” In addition to the planting exercise, the Methanex/ CAP team presented the residents with personal care hampers and shared a delicious seasonal lunch with them.

The Methanex Community Advisory Panel comprises residents from the company’s fence line communities in Central Trinidad, such as California, Roystonia, Milton, Lisas Gardens and Esperanza.

Members meet with Methanex representatives at least four times a year to provide the Company with useful insights on concerns, needs and interests of the communities.

Other initiatives facilitated by the Methanex/CAP partnership over the past thirteen years include Certified First Aid and CPR training for 175 residents, Personal Safety Awareness, Preparing Young People for World of Work, Self-Esteem, Career Guidance, Fabric Design and Teenage Pregnancy Prevention.