Glowing tributes paid to ‘Mrs Best Village’

Erica Williams-Connell daughter of the late Dr. Eric Williams, first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) from 1956 - 1981 began her tribute to her aunt reciting: “God saw you were getting tired And a cure was not to be, So he put his arms around you and whispered, ‘Come to Me’.

With tearful eyes we watched you,and saw you pass away.

Although we loved you dearly.

We could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.

“That pretty much says it all for Joyce Wong Sang - Colin, as we all called her,” said Williams-Connell.

She stated, “You knew her as an icon, whose role in the culture of Trinidad and Tobago is unrivaled. She shepherded my late father’s Best Village programme - never again to be as vibrant or significant as in those first decades - which was initiated as a result of his Meet the People Tour of the 1960s.” Williams-Connell said after seeing firsthand how people lived and to get a personal feel for their many requirements, even as they would display handicrafts, stage cultural shows, and insist that the PM sample their culinary delights, she said: “My father realised that a programme such as Best Village could provide the ideal vehicle for raising the consciousness of our own nation vis-a-vis our national heritage. But it is one thing to have an idea, quite another to implement it. He chose Joyce Wong Sang to do so.” She added, “I believe everyone is born to do something. And that while most of us will die without discovering what that ‘thing’ is, fewer still will actually have the privilege of accomplishing it.

Joyce Wong Sang was one of those latter. Fulfilling the Best Village mandate, for more than a quarter century.” On a more personal note, she said, “Colin, and her husband George, also gave me the only home I could call my own in Trinidad for some 30 years, after my father died in 1981. I shall ever be grateful for that.” Williams-Connell ended by saying, “So we cherish her memory, we honour her life and we pray for forgiveness. You fought the good fight, Colin. You kept the faith.

You finished the race. Well done - thou good and faithful servant!” Before Williams-Connell, Wong Sang’s son Christopher Wong Sang told the gathering that his mom dedicated her life to promoting this country, putting all of her heart and soul into it. “She was blessed that way,” he said Christopher recalled Best Village groups being bussed to the Queen’s Park Savannah and their presentations highlighting the cultural mix in TT while the plays/ skits dealt with social life and issues being aired ‘live’ on TTT, the only television station at the time.

His mom played a pivotal role in organising the competition from 1963 to 1986.

He became a tad emotional when stating that the final four months of her life were gradual and painful. “Mom led a full life, was well traveled , served the country with pride and worked for the greater good without expecting reward. Rest Well,” he ended.

Deputy political leader of the PNM , Joan Yuille-Williams described Wong Sang as a pioneer, patriot and a woman of action.

She said, “Dr Williams had a vision and a task needed to be done and Joyce Wong Sang had the task of getting it done.

“Hers was a task of pioneers, clearing the ground and going no where anyone has gone before.

Joyce nailed those pathways all over TT. She knew ultimately her calling was to service of a people and later became a mentor to others.” Yuille-Williams then ensured that Wong Sang’s legacy would live on. Chief celebrant Fr Emmanuel Pierre also called Wong Sang a national icon, pioneer and patriot, and noted her commitment to work, dedication to duty and to the development of TT. He said, “If Joyce Wong Sang was the gift to this nation, just imagine who is the giver of this gift.” A musical interlude followed with Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung rendering verses from the Mighty Sparrow’s “Memories” and Merchant’s “Barataria Sweet, Mon Diablo Sweeter”.