Supporting families in our community

The people who must make these choices are no different from the rest of us as they confront the challenge to create a safe and secure environment for themselves and the rest of their charges.

It’s so easy for many of us to take for granted a great deal of the things others consider as luxuries. Having a home is one such luxury… a safe place where people can feel comfortable among their loved ones and neighbours. Sadly, though, this is still not the reality for many of our fellow citizens.

Owing to our awareness of this challenge, the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce has joined forces with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity for this year’s annual Leaders Build.

On Sunday March 19, 2017, top executives and business leaders from within the ranks of our Membership will put on their hard hats, tee-shirts and jeans, and take up tools (instead of their smartphones), to work alongside Habitat homeowners, to build dwelling places they can now call ‘home’.

The objective of this initiative is to assist hard-working, low-income families to construct homes and communities in which they can survive and thrive.

One simply never knows from where the next generation of entrepreneurs and business owners would emerge to make their mark in the world, so support is forthcoming all round.

It must be understood, however, that this is not a hand-out, but more of a ‘hand-up’. With the Habitat model, the family must contribute to the construction process and enter an affordable mortgage arrangement to facilitate re-payment. That pride of ownership, coupled with the feeling of independence goes a long way in generating a positive outlook on life for many beneficiaries of the programme.

The TT Chamber truly believes that the dignity of the individual must be preserved and respected; and we express this ever so often through our advocacy and our shared commitment to projects that promote sustainability and the advancement of the communities in which we work.

Through Leaders Build and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we have the chance to transform the lives of hundreds of families, and by extension, open the door to education, health, security and a sense of dignity.

We at the TT Chamber would like to encourage Corporate Trinidad and Tobago to invest time and energy in Leaders Build. In-kind donations of building materials and even land would also be accepted.

None of this ought to be viewed as a quick fix solution to poverty alleviation; instead, it should be embraced as a platform for change that could last for generations to come.

Families which formerly depended on social services can now more comfortably contribute to the economic base of their communities… all because they no longer have to worry about basic shelter for their loved ones! Safe and affordable housing is an important mechanism for breaking the vicious cycle of poverty in our country. We invite you, members of our business community, to make the difference.

We at the T&T Chamber welcome your involvement on this journey to foster resilience in our communities.

Work with us to create a country where everyone has a decent place to live, in dignity, comfort, peace, and safety.

To find out more about Leaders Build, please contact the TT Chamber on 637-6966 Extension 1310.