Help move squatters

The topic came up during the graduation ceremony for the “Workshop on Life” course held on Friday.

One attendee, Roland James, said he is “in love” with the centre and finds it very educational.

He stressed, however, there was a need to protect the homeless inside and called for more stringent security from the drugs and the squatters.

“If we step into cleanness we will feel better,” he said.

President of St Vincent de Paul in the St Ann’s Parish, George Johnson, said the point about the squatters had been raised years ago and there was an intention to do something.

“We hope it comes sooner than later,” he added.

Centre for the Socially Displaced manager Roger Watson had previously informed Sunday Newsday that the Port-of-Spain City Corporation had cleaned the area and removed old mattresses and other rubbish which people dump. He had noted, however, that a more permanent solution was needed.

On the ceremony Watson explained that they had a similar course in May for three days with 20 participants but wanted to increase the length and number of attendees.

For this session there were 27 participants in a five day course and they were taught in emotional intelligence, dealing with the complications of life, depression, self-awareness, post traumatic stress disorder, love and addiction. Three of the attendees were from Rebirth House and one from Audrey Mollineau Halfway House.

Watson told the graduates to look at themselves as “special people”. He explained there were some residents at the centre who they will not be able to fit back into society and will have to be institutionalised for the rest of their lives.

“You need to look at yourselves as people with ability,” he stressed.

The feedback on the course from the attendees included that it was understandvery informative and there was a need for more courses.

“The workshop has been a stepping stone of information brought forth. It could be used for several purposes in successful lives,” said Roger Sandy.

Another attendee said it helped him to be a happy person and he would go out, change his ways and get a job.

And another attendee said “somebody cares for us” and encouraged the fellow attendees to use the workshop to uplift their lives.

One attendee said there is a lot of anger, violence and low self esteem in the society and a lot of people in challenging circumstances.

He expressed hope that the course would be a chance to change things “from the bottom”.

“Could be a start for generating a new society where minds and attitude of people change,” he said.

He said anyone could end up homeless and praised Watson and CSDP programme coordinator Nzinga Rampersad for their work. Rampersad explained that the course graduates will become a support group to help other residents going through the same thing.

“The certificates are not the end. Is just the beginning. It is to make you press on and achieve higher,” she said. Watson personally thanked Anthony Arrindell from Trinidad Import and Export Ltd, Gillette Hardware, Chee Mooke Bakery, Massy Store, PECU Credit Union and the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services for their contributions to the course and for making it possible.