A friend of the Syrian Lebanese

For the past 35 years, I have enjoyed a close relationship as a journalist with the members of the Syrian Lebanese Women’s Association (SLWA). A group of women who with a spirit of civic mindedness and a love of charity, quietly work to benefit those who often have nowhere else to turn.

Having been around them in their homes, businesses and club activities too numerous to mention, I have only seen humility in these women, whose community, for the past week, has been subjected to endless media-bashing for the remark made during an interview with internationally famous Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown television show, that “while the Syrian/Lebanese community is the smallest ethnic group in the country, it is the most powerful.” Mario Sabga-Aboud has apologised in every which way, for what poet and artiste Muhammed Muwakil so rightly says: “The man spoke his truth, he spoke plainly.” But in true Trini fashion we are ready to crucify Sabga-Aboud. Which one of us has never uttered a spoken word, one of the things we were taught in kindergarten, that “never comes back.” Gary Aboud’s comments are the most accurate. “To call someone Syrian is to question their nationality….Our forefathers came here as penniless immigrants who worked hard, saved and invested….So when I saw the outpouring of hatred on social media, the association of my community with drugs and guns, with being some type of mafia, I realized something. Regardless of what arrant nonsense was said some people naturally hate us.” I suddenly realised that the most repeated derogatory remark concerning the Syrian community, not only in this instance, but so many other times has been: “Do you know how they ALL make their money?” This from people who do not have any communication at all with this community.

My association with the Syrian/ Lebanese dates from childhood when one of the most friendly and polite gentlemen I have ever met was Joseph, a Syrian gentleman who walked through Greenhill Village where I was born and raised, carrying a small suitcase of samples of dress materials he had for sale. Never heard his last name but I can still see him in my mind’s eye, rain or shine, coming up the front steps to show his wares to my grandmother.

We moved to Newtown when I was nine and Joseph was still plying his trade, and he was still doing so when I became a wife and mother, by which time he was driving a small car. Joseph took his orders, returned with the quantity of material, and on top of all that hard work, offered credit, writing names and amounts in his copybook and coming back to collect payments.

In later years, I met Adam Aboud, the Trinibaker, when he opened his bagel outlet in Maraval. There is no kinder individual as my children will attest. The very proud former student of Trinity at Moka, without any publicity, gave delicious snacks to my daughter for the Trinity football team some years ago. For years, he has been a donor to their junior Carnival band Spoilt Rotten Kids and he is clear, “No publicity, not even a public thank you.” One of my dearest friends is Venus Sabga (senior) of the SLWA. A kind, thoughtful woman whose daughter is married to the much pilloried Mario Saga-Aboud. Her son Howard, the outgoing president of Rotary Port of Spain, and wife Dr Jackie Sabga, head of the Cancer Society and Vitas House Hospice, devote so much time to the critically and terminally ill.

I will end with the women of the SLWA, whose annual Christmas hamper packing event and distribution continues – recession, economic downturn or not. Last December 6, 70 SLWA volunteers, inclusive of children and grandchildren, packed 1,500 Christmas hampers at St Anthony’s College hall, for delivery far and wide throughout the country.

There was a time in the not too distant past when it was done at the late Anthony Sabga’s Wainwright Street home.

One of the most noticeable traits about these women is their succession planning. The older members do not hold on endlessly to the power trip of running the SLWA. They ensure that the younger members are trained to capably take over the leadership of their 67 year old club.