This virtual ‘call to action’ was made to some 125 representatives of community groups in Mayaro who graduated on Wednesday from a series of capacity-building workshops organised by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago.

Delivering the feature address at the Mayaro Resource Centre, Rachel Caines, Corporate Responsibility Advisor, bpTT, advised graduates: “Do not waste the opportunities presented by the downturn in the economy.” Caines told the community representatives: “It is in the midst of crises that NGOs and CBOs shine brightest. For 13 years, bpTT has helped to strengthen the institutional capacity and knowledge base of NGOs and CBOs in this community.

In an almost ironic sense, we have been preparing for 13 years for this precise moment in time, where NGOs and CBOs are needed now more than ever to fill the gap created by the retreat of the state and the slowdown of investment by the private sector.

“You, the NGOs and CBOs of Mayaro and Guayaguayare stand in this gap providing the goods and services that the state and the private sector are unable to support. It is to you that people turn to when they need help in tough times.

When donations and sponsorship funding is scarce, you will show us real value for money. Therefore, let us not ‘waste this downturn’.

This economic downturn is your opportunity to review, re-focus and re-position your organisation, so you can take advantage of the changed environment and eventually thrive when more stable and favourable economic conditions return in the future.” The annual workshops, which started in 2003, impart a range of skills and knowledge to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) to enable them to carry out sustainable projects and programmes in their respective communities.

For graduate Judy Perotte-Julien, her participation in the capacity- building workshop has been an ‘eye-opener’ and of great assistance in her business enterprise. “With the knowledge and information I have received I am in a better position to run my small business in a more professional manner to make it profitable. We all thank bpTT for empowering us in so many ways,” noted Perotte-Julien, who serves on a number of organisations in Mayaro.

Andrew Cross, principal consultant, Cross & Associates, training agency conducting the workshops, urged the graduates to continue to improve themselves and their communities and to make full use of the investment made by bpTT.

Whether you’ve planned a big night out or decided to stay somewhat close to home, embrace 2017 in style.

The sheer, lace and shine combination is a triple win for New Year’s Eve. Do not try this unless you’re willing to get lots of attention.

An oversized sheer and lace top can be worn neatly tucked into any shiny bottom to create that chic body suit effect.

Little black dress? More like ‘lovely black dress’. A noir selection sets the right tone of elegance and is everything but a basic staple on New Year’s Eve.

Bring out your sparkly metallic party dress.

It’s the unofficial uniform of revellers and for a fashionably twist on the trend, try this familiar festive look done as a jumpsuit.

Give velvet a chance! Velvet is one of the more preferred seasonal clothing trends.

Create an extra-luxe finish by wearing an inset lace leotard with a pair of sumptuous loosely fitted trousers.

For proof that you don’t require something reflective to steal attention, check out this maxi skirt number. A little exposed skin is sexy, and you’ll be sure to add to the beauty of the night.

New Year’s Eve is one of the most celebrated nights of fashion. We dare you to step into 2017 wearing any of the seasonal trends.

Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana: Race and Politics in Two Plural Societies by Anne Marie Bissessar and John La Guerre

THIS BOOK is a study of the race factor and its relation to politics in two countries of similar colonial backgrounds which were divided along comparable racial and cultural lines and exhibited demographic ratios of significance as well as segregated patterns of residence and occupation but in which political outcomes differed.

The book advances the view that the race factor in the politics of these two countries is neither a simple nor a static one but is complex and variable and its salience is influenced by a host of other factors in the socio-economic and international environment.

In definitional terms race is regarded as denoting distinctions based on biological and phenotypical features as the founding basis of group identity. These are then reinforced by other factors, particularly cultural propensities, symbols and historical associations, to demarcate the boundaries of the ethnic group which over time responds to and is affected by changes in the society. A plural society is characterised as one which is largely divided along racial, ethnic, occupational, geographic and cultural lines where ethnic groups of significant numerical proportions coalesce and occupy the same social space and where their relationship with each other has crucial consequences for the politics. The literature on race and ethnic relations is reviewed and found inadequate in significant aspects. It is claimed not to have sufficiently probed the question of “how ethnic issues are transmitted to the political system and how, in turn, the political system affects the functions, strategies and styles of ethnic politics.” Since the analyses offered in the literature are not comprehensive enough, its prognostications for political outcomes in plural societies seem too deterministic and do not acknowledge the nuances in the relationship between race and politics.

The study utilises the concept of predisposing factors which could exert a substantial influence in how race and ethnicity affect political formulations and outcomes.

Such predisposing factors are many and would include race, ethnicity, geographic location, demographic ratios, levels of education, stage of economic development, nature of the economy, origins of the various communities, complications of international politics, and levels and intensities of interaction.

Some of those factors are themselves subject to change with relevant consequences on the relationship.

There are, however, other factors which are deemed critical and pertinent to the analysis such as leadership, political structures and forms of political organisation.

It is the changing relationship between these factors and ethnic entities that are significant for the politics. With this frame of reference the study proceeds to examine race and politics in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana over particular periods of time. In the socio- historical environment before the mid-fifties, the study points out that political mobilisation based on race and ethnicity was somewhat diffuse and was loosely concentrated on representations for the welfare of the ethnic group.

Moreover, inter-ethnic rivalry was muted since the colonial authorities controlled the State, decided on the distribution of public resources and facilitated the separate development of the major ethnic groups. Colonial control was therefore a significant predisposing factor in this period.

However, there were other noteworthy predisposing factors such as demographic ratios, segregated patterns of residence and occupation, geographic location and, particularly in the case of Guyana, the intrusion of international politics and the nature of leadership.

With constitutional change, the impending withdrawal of the colonial power and the prospect of independence and, with it, the passing of control over the State into local hands, group rivalry intensified.

Thus the period 1956 to 1976 was seen as the era in which ethnic rel a t i o n s assumed crisis proport ions and political mobilisation b e c a m e more assertive.

Banfield’s mom Sherry Ann Lopez said the celebration of Shannon’s life will take place tomorrow at the San Juan Seventh Day Adventist Church, at Prizgar Road, San Juan.

Flowers are accepted but Lopez urged those who attend the funeral service to ‘please wear Shannon’s favourite colour purple to celebrate her life.’ There will be a private internment at Belgroves Funeral Home at Orange Grove Road, Trincity.

Lopez said it will be a celebration of Shannon’s life. The grieving mother said the loss of her first born was ‘really hard,’ but she and the rest of her family had to sit down to prepare for the funeral service.

“We have to pull ourselves together,” she said in an interview yesterday.

Banfield, 20, went missing on Monday and her body was found in the storeroom of IAM and Company on Charlotte Street, Port-of- Spain on Thursday, just before 2 pm.

Before she went missing, Banfield told her mother she was going to Pennywise and then IAM, both on Charlotte Street.“Imagine it wasn’t a taxi; it wasn’t going out late. She was doing what everyone does at that time of day,” Lopez said.

Banfield’s mom said she was comforted by ‘knowing the kind of girl Shannon was, He (God) will give her justice.’ “Our focus is on celebrating her life. We’re not even thinking about the investigation and all the speculation,” she said.

Traditional Christmas silhouettes shine through the coastal d?cor because coastal elements mimic traditional decorations. However, the colour scheme is very different from traditional colours. A beach inspired palette is marked by shades of sand, pastel blue and green, yellow and navy blue which bring a fresh welcoming atmosphere to any Christmas setting. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Wreaths and Garlands • Evergreen wreaths and garlands decorated with coastal elements from bleached starfish to rope impart the spirit of a coastal Christmas.

• Combine shells and starfish with berries.

• Create a wreath or garland with starfish, sand dollars or shells and sprinkle with white glitter. You can also spray paint a grapevine and add to the arrangement or aqua ribbons.

• Drape the porch, the area above the doorway or staircase with fragrant garlands adorned with ocean elements.

Tabletop • Choose place settings in watery blue and watery green colours. Use a white table cloth with three clear glass vases for the centerpieces: one with a bouquet of flowers and the others filled with sand and ocean elements to create a beach scene.

• Alternatively use white place setting on an aqua tablecloth with a burlap runner, sea urchin inspired glassware, vase with white flowers and scattered coastal organic elements.

• Mint is a fabulous colour to add to a coastal theme.

• Add tropical green leaves to the centerpiece.

• Introduce sparkle with metallic painted pinecones and metal candle stands.

Beach Towel Stockings • For a bit of fun, if you are in for a craft project, make Christmas stockings from your used beach towels.

Hang them on the staircase, the wall or on the doors.

Trees • Mini shell Christmas trees offer a great combination of the ocean with the traditional Christmas silhouette.

• Your evergreen Christmas tree can be converted to a coastal delight by adding ornaments and ribbons that are reminiscent of coastal style. Use burlap for the skirting.

• Silver beads, a snowflake decorated starfish treetop and gifts wrapped in turquoise and pale blue paper create subtle imagery of a coastal Christmas theme.

• Shades of aqua, turquoise and white create a crisp, festive holiday vibe. Glass pinecone ornaments bring a traditional holiday motif to the tree.

Room D?cor • Paint the living room walls powder blue or pastel green.

• Coordinate the Christmas tree ocean ornaments with the walls and place nautical details throughout.

• Group a trio of ornaments on the coffee table with burlap or raffia to have continuity of the tree decorations in the space.

• Small nautical touches in the living room are amped up at Christmas by adding touches of turquoise, metallic and coral accessories, and subtle nods to seafaring creatures complete the theme.

• Ship’s wheels, sailboats, and lifeguard-chair ornaments also adorn an evergreen tree.

Growing up in a society where “sooting” is part of the daily soundtrack of your walk to school/work/church/anywhere really.

Where the saying “after 12 is lunch” is funny and not only uttered by men both young and old but is also acted upon as shown by the recent reported case of the 26-year-old pastor caught literally with his pants down with a 14-year-old girl in her school uniform. Where child sexual abuse is rampant in many homes and communities, and where your rapist is probably the boy who took you to your form five graduation.

#LifeinLeggings was started by two Barbadian women who wanted to highlight the glaring lack of respect for women and our bodies that is ingrained in Caribbean societies, and where sexual harassment is as sure to happen.

Every.

Single.

Time.

You.

Leave.

Your.

House.

There have been hundreds of women opening the muddiest and tangled corners of their past and baring their scars of sexual violence, sexual assault, rape and other disturbing narratives that will leave you troubled and saddened. The Girlfriends discussed just how they’ve learned to adapt and move forward having had their own #LifeinLeggings experiences.

I applaud all these women for discussing these “taboo” topics with such courage in the hope of forcing us as a society to confront the scourge of sexual violence against girls and women that needs to end now.

Nick: For me even though the abuse has been many years ago, the mental aftermath never ends, no matter how much you try and put it to the back of your head. You just learn to live one day at a time.

Rory: I cannot bring myself to travel in a taxi, for nothing. I hired a private taxi to take me to the airport once and almost had an aneurysm trying to remain calm in a strange man’s car.

Nick: I made my life busy purposely.

Kimba: #LifeinLeggings shows me how prevalent it is. My experience in the street walking and being constantly offered various “suggestions” as to what services they want to perform on me. You get so accustomed learning to avoid it…crossing the street… head down…that it becomes normal, but it isn’t.

Staci: I was almost raped in secondary by one of my friends (who I went out with a couple of times) and a couple of his friends. He was tall and popular and on the football team, who would have ever thought he would try something so disgusting.

That day I learnt to real cuss MC and pelt cuff like a pro I can tell you that. I’m over it now, but that doesn’t mean I can’t talk about it now that I have a voice and an audience. I think the discussion forces people to confront experiences that happen to far too many of us. It shows that sometimes many things we think are unique to us have happened to so many other women/people.

Chanelle: We trust them because well like you say they were our ‘friends’.

Katherine: Experiences are universal. We as women must not suffer in silence thinking it’s only us, and we see more and more that it’s not “stranger-danger” but the attackers are in our peer groups and families. For me, once a predator always a predator and I don’t want no one to tell me it’s “boys being boys” nonsense, because not all boys violate. Either it’s within you or it’s not.

Staci: These stories are rampant that’s the thing and even though not every woman has experienced something like this, the collective voices and shared experiences out there can help someone who may not know where to turn to if it does happen.

Staci: You what I always wonder? What about some of the wives and girlfriends of these rapists and abusers? I wonder how that convo goes down with your significant other if you find out he’s been accused or even worse found guilty of some sort of sex crime? Mel: Who cares! If you’re guilty, then you’re a rapist. Let’s get a Rapist logo designed, like a border that you can use over any pic and for women to use to name and shame their predators.

Staci: Lord Mel! But seriously though, if someone come with a story and the police and say that your husband rape them, what would be your reaction? Mel: I now asking him and I find he’s being very ignorant about the whole topic. But to answer your question, I’d leave him and it would be the perfect out too. Oh, and I’d loud him up and make sure everybody knows he’s a rapist.

Ronz: What a topic to wake up to. Conversations like these are so important and necessary. Women and girls are assaulted daily and almost always by someone known to them. The stranger lurking in the bushes or alley waiting to rape you isn’t nearly as common as the friend, uncle, neighbour, boyfriend, etc who actually ends up assaulting you. I think most wives/ girlfriends would support their men. Women have been faced with hard facts, evidence they couldn’t deny and still refused to believe they could have married someone like that. Some eventually come around but usually it takes discovering your husband is a serial rapist or child molester. But if he’s living a “happy life” normal and is a good husband, his wife will almost definitely support his version of events.

Tams: It’s sad to know that so many women have a story and this hashtag shows that plain as day. What kills me is that some people still have the audacity to try to justify the behaviour as I saw in a post on Facebook.

“To the DJs on who were discussing the #LifeinLeggings movement on a popular home time drive segment: How can you say “if the woman is dressing a certain way and causes me to feel some urges, they can’t get vex when men express those urges”?? I have seen women get harassed in work clothes, uniforms, even while pregnant. It does not matter if you have “dressed responsibly”. Once you are female, and alone, you are a target. The solution is not for women to be more responsible. It is to teach men to respect women.

Second of all, you say the women who don’t like getting catcalled must have some kind of insecurity? How does that even make sense? Of course, nothing is wrong with saying “good morning” or paying a woman a compliment, should you be in a position to do so. But what tends to happen is, we get screamed at from a moving vehicle, or have a stranger come into our personal space and whisper it. You want to know why women aren’t prepared to “give it back” when they are catcalled? It’s because catcalling is not a compliment. It is a threat. And it’s better to walk away, rather than risk the man acting on that threat.

You had a chance to bring light to this movement and set a good example for the men that need to be educated on it.

Instead, you just proved that your mentality is just the same as theirs.” You can read more about the #LifeinLeggings posts online, just search the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook, or use the hashtag if you’re compelled to open up and share your own experience.

The Girlfriends is a group of 15 women between the ages of 26 – 45 who are willing to give an unadulterated look into their own experiences. Some names have been changed for privacy.

18

King’s Specialty promises to provide its customers with high quality tropical drinks creations “for guaranteed drinking pleasure”. Included in this promise is consistency of quality, affordable offerings, and positive and memorable experiences through the art of her homemade drinks.

The business also provides a delivery service for customers’ ease and convenience, especially during the hectic Christmas season.

King’s Specialty drink offerings include classic Ponche de Cr?me in a variety of flavours as well as various liqueurs, all infused with “the ideal mix of rums and spices for that one-of-a-kind taste”.

While Ponche de Cr?me is especially known as a Christmastime Trini must-have, she says her business’ mantra is “a good time is always in season.” Regina recalls her love for “shadowing” her late grandmother in the kitchen: learning family recipes for sweet bread, black cake, and Ponche de Cr?me. Her love for observing and learning from her grandmother is one of her ingrained childhood memories that lasts to this day: “So much so, one day when she was making Ponche de Cr?me I asked to taste Puncheon rum, just out of childhood curiosity,” Regina remembers playfully.

“Against her warnings, I begged and she poured it into my mouth. We need not think too hard about how that ended, right?” she quips. She says her mother is similarly gifted in the kitchen but neither of these forbearers ever entered into the realm of business. “As such, I decided to take up the mantle as a way of sharing what they taught me with the world, whilst adding my own twists.” Today, Regina shares the process of bringing her creations to life, the importance family and tradition play in her business and products, her more “untraditional” offerings that have sparked conversation and adoration alike, and the ways her womanhood makes her a unique entrepreneur and open to the possibilities of resounding success.

Q Your business was borne out of family tradition – can you tell us about your traditional offerings and the importance of upholding local customs as a business owner?

Based on what I learnt from my mother and grandmother, I felt that it was imperative to continue to offer that “original” traditional product. To me this is a true representation of home, who we are as Trinbagonians. I have encountered many customers who cherish coming back from abroad and enjoying these local homemade drinks. It brings back heartfelt memories and also adds to the joys of new memories created today.

Local customers are at the heart of what we do at King’s Specialty. They are the ones who weave wonderful stories to us about how much they enjoy our products, and they are also the ones who keep it real. We appreciate the love shown as well as the positive criticism. Every smile we receive from customers when we attend promotional events, meet someone for the first time, and make a delivery adds to our experience. We believe in experiencing the local love and sharing it also. We would be nothing without out local customers.

Q What about other offerings that may have a less traditional lilt? Can you tell us about them?

When we started creating flavoured Ponche de Cr?me, we received many puzzled looks, which soon turned into genuine intrigue and pure fascination and enjoyment. Our Cherry and Choc-de-Cr?me (chocolate Ponche de Cr?me) have been received well, as well as our 2016 addition of Cinna’ Cr?me (cinnamon Ponche de Cr?me). Additionally, our Liqueurs have also been considered different. Fruits such as Five Finger, Guava, Mango and Banana have been used to create a base for what is again, true to what makes Trinbago wonderful. Customers have been pleased to “actually taste the fruit flavour, and not just a hint of it” from Liqueurs made with fresh locally grown fruits.

Q You have an eye-catching logo for King’s Specialty – can you tell us the story behind this logo and the head wrapped woman?

When one sees the name “King”, it is automatically assumed to be male and one expects to see what is the traditional look of a crown. I’ve received many suggestions that the logo should’ve included that type of crown because of the business name. The logo started off as being an image of me; however, this quickly evolved into being what I believe represents strength, versatility and depth.

I find black to be powerful and it’s personally my favourite colour. The gold border surrounding the lady and also the gold head wrap signifies “regalness” because this is what I want the brand to represent and what our customers deserve – products that are great. The white balances everything out. Your crown is what you want it to be and it’s up to you to create with it what you want. When you envision a head wrap, it can be wrapped and designed in so many ways; so too with our drinks. No one has to dictate when you can have it and why.

Gone are the days when we only enjoyed Ponche de Cr?me at Christmastime or the only flavour Liqueur you knew of was Sorrel. The aim is to expand way beyond that, whilst holding dear and honouring the strength of the women who provided the foundation.

Q What is the process of creating your specialty beverages?

[Initially], the process involves a bit of brainstorming; thinking of “what next” that will be enjoyable and continue in the vein of “tradition with a twist”.

Q How do you ensure you have created something that you can be proud of and that you know customers will enjoy?

By testing on the consumers themselves. I conduct taste tests both with people I know personally as well as others to obtain objective feedback. Where required, changes are made to ensure that the right balance is there. Instinctively, you also know when you’re heading in the right direction.

Q How much experimenting do you engage in to create your cr?mes and liqueurs? What are your personal favourites?

It varies. Ideas may manifest for a beverage and come together in a day. Others require more testing; experimenting and sampling could take a few months. I love all my drinks! That was an expected answer, right? This year, creating the Cinna Cr?me was a joy, and the icing on the cake was the reaction of others who tasted it and quickly determined that they just had to have a bottle.

Q What do you believe is King’s Specialty’s greatest qualities?

I believe people feel the love, joy and effort that go into what you do. They can also understand the importance of wanting to create something, not for your enjoyment, but for the enjoyment of others. That’s one of the greatest things we can do. These things, coupled with our emphasis on consistency and quality, I believe transcends through all of our products. Whether it’s our Mini sets, already wrapped and ready for gift giving or our lovely gift baskets created for our clients, they know and can feel all that went into it.

Q What have you learned through the process of operating and running your own business?

Every day I say to myself, the only way to grow is to live outside of your comfort zone. The moments that draw on your last drop of strength and fortitude are what adds to the stories to tell and the perfecting of what you do.

Q Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you believe are unique because of your womanhood?

I have learnt not to be offended when I am underestimated. I have experienced many times where customers could not believe that I was the owner of the business, much less a female owner; I was once asked, “Where is Mr. King?” I have learnt that sometimes I need to get out of my own way and that it’s ok to see success as something that is very real, possible, and it should be embraced. Coming from generations of strong women, I have seen and experienced hardship and understand the importance of continuing to push through, with the support of friends and family, doing what no one, including me, could’ve imagined.

Q Who are you trying to reach and how do you connect with your customers?

We want to connect with local consumers.

Our current consumer base is predominantly female; however, it does include males and has been patronized by patisseries, bakeries, variety stores and we have also provided specialized packages to corporate entities.

Q Are there any markets or pop up shops you will be partaking in this Christmas season?

We have participated in and met new customers at several events thus far in South (South Side Expo and Fair; In Point Expo and Fair), Central, East and North, spanning both public and private events. We will be attending UpMarket in the coming weeks.

You can find King’s Specialty on Facebook: King’s Specialty Drinks; Instagram: kingsspecialtytt; email: kingsspecialty@gmail.com or call 685-9979

But it only took a day and a half of torrential rain to see his livelihood washed away and more than $50,000 go down the drain.

Peters was one of the about 1,000 people affected in the North Coast fishing villages of Toco, Grande Riviere and Matelot when torrential rainfall overnight on November 29 and all day the following day triggered massive flooding, sea swells and landslides temporarily trapping thousands who live in the communities. Thanks to a quick response from the relevant authorities, roads were cleared and utilities restored. And now residents are counting their losses and trying to return to normalcy.

Assisting in that process is incoming Sangre Grande Regional Corporation chairman Terry Rondon.

Sunday Newsday joined him last week as he distributed bleach and drinking water and met with affected residents.

Among the first encountered were Peters and his son Leslie as they were clearing debris from the farm site which was dotted with broken branches and wounded cocoa trees. Peters informed Rondon they need a saw to remove a big tree that had fallen.

“I want to farm. I want to start to work,” he stressed.

Rondon said that of all those affected Peters had lost the most and he would be making an appeal to get a tree pruner for him to help with clearing. Leslie said his father had worked on the land when it was a cocoa and coffee estate and stayed on in 2001 when the then People’s National Movement government loaned land to farmers.

He said that with the flooding their 200 cocoa trees were falling down or bent over and they also lost their crop of fig, ochro, cucumbers, hot peppers and pimento.

“With the rain and wind we lost pretty much everything. The river run through the flat land,” he recalled.

He said they hoped the Agriculture Ministry would come and provide solace but so far only extension officers visited to evaluate the damage.

“After more than a week the farmers still left with nothing,” he added.

He also complained that the Works Ministry was dumping sludge onto the land and opening waterways on the top which was causing additional landslides.

“So it is a pressure scene. After the disaster there comes manmade disaster,” he said. He said they need to get saws to cut up the fallen trees. On compensation for losses, Leslie said they would “love that” but those things take time and they were currently concentrating on getting back to farming.

He expressed hope that the Agriculture Ministry would help them and the other eight affected farmers in the area to get back on their feet.

He explained that there was no other work for them and working the land “is basically the start and finish of it”.

As we drove along Grande Riviere we saw land-slips, lines of sludge and debris. There were also downed power lines, some pinned under branches.

“Backhoe up here more than motor car,” our driver remarked.

Landslides had revealed small waterfalls, some beauty from the ugly disaster. On the road, people spoke with Rondon about appliances they lost. We saw a basketball court with inches of mud caked onto the surface.

Rondon pointed to a bucking retaining wall which he was surprised did not fall down and was concerned that it would eventually.

He also showed us the Bacasa River. “I never know the river have so much stone and could do so much damage,” he said.

He recalled looking at the damage from a helicopter and seeing stones that had been carried 300 yards from the river.

“The whole landscape change. I couldn’t believe it,” he remarked.

Rondon showed us another little ravine which had left huge deposits of stone, sludge, large boulders, felled trees and other debris on either side.

We stopped at the St Helena Community Centre and dropped off more bleach. One man asked Rondon for a power saw to cut access roads.

“Real work to do.

It has blocked crossings. We need a backhoe,” he said.

Another man told Sunday Newsday that “water go in everybody house” and he was thankful that his house was tiled. A man complained that the works department in the area had only two men and called for a development programme in the area. Rondon agreed that there was “a lot of work to do”.

Throughout the journey, he informed residents about going to seek assistance from social services this week.

The final stop was a small parlour at Pike Street in Matelot.

Michelle Marshall, 43, from Cemetery Street, pointed that on her street and Santa Cruz Road there was no drainage “so all the water coming down and flooding across the road and coming down in our home”.

She said this has been occurring years before the flood. She explained that “everywhere got fix and pitch and the road never get pitch in there”. On the day of the flooding due to the lack of drainage the water came from the hills and straight down and “flood out the whole house”.

Marshall said a landslide blocked up the drain in the back of her house and water started seeping through her flat house. She was sleeping when it happened. Her daughter-in-law called and told her that their house had flooded out.

She and her husband “started walking in water too”.

She said her washing machine fell and was damaged. She reported her son lost a stove, bed, music boxes and their bed was damaged. Marshall said the response from authorities was “nice”.

“We got back current.

When we think that we weren’t going to get current in two weeks we got it back in about three to four days’ time,” she said.

Water, however, has not yet been restored to her home and she was not sure if her line had been damaged. She reported that people around her had their water restored.

She said the road was cleared quickly.

“But still in rural areas we need assistance like getting the backhoe and thing to clear up and get the drainage.

Because if a little rain come still the water keep running. So, we need to get the drainage and so on and the road pitch up,” she explained.

“Because it have children in the back there going to school too.” She said she would like to see drainage put in and the road in proper order “so we could be a little happy”.

Urban planner Dr James Armstrong, speaking during a telephone interview, said that whenever there is persistent rainfall in an area with that topography you are likely to have that sort of difficulty (flooding), noting climate was also a factor. He said officials must go back and look at road construction, drainage in the area and the way in which it was developed. He also advised they look at retrofitting and engineering standards as well.

William Coa, 51, from Andrew Street, recalled that following the disaster he and two other men walked from Grande Riviere to Matelot, among the first to do so. He described it as “devastation” and took photos to show his grandchildren.

“Since I living I never see this kind of devastation,” he said. He added there were people older than him who had never seen this kind of devastation either.

He explained that the infrastructure had “outgrown” the ravine system and most people on the hillsides were not controlling their water.

“The drains and them outlive that. The amount of little buildings it have. So, we need better infrastructure,” he said.

He explained that anything can happen in a natural disaster but things must be put in place before these things happen. He was glad about the response and had not lost much, just some furniture and chest of drawers.

He also lost his garden though he could not estimate the losses.

“What we need inside of here is more access road so we could do agriculture in a big way,” he said. He explained there is no industry in the area so it is either farming or fishing. He would also like to see more youths get employed by the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation.

“But the devastation for some people I know it real dread,” he said.

Set a challenging 338 for victory at Sabina Park, the visitors could only muster 205 in their second innings, crashing to a 132-run defeat at the hands of a rampant Jamaica Scorpions.

Captain Miller wrecked the innings with a career-best haul of nine for 41 – his 25th five-wicket haul in First Class cricket.

Opener Imran Khan top-scored with 52, Kyle Hope got 35 while Yannick Ottley hit 30 and Yannic Cariah, 27, but Red Force collapsed from a promising position of 103 for one, to lose their last nine wickets for 102 runs in quick time.

Miller, in his 84th First Class match, finished with match figures of 12 for 94 – his seventh 10-wicket haul in First Class cricket.

Scorpions had earlier been dismissed for 229 in their second innings, after resuming the penultimate day on 148 for four.

Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood added just one to his overnight 80 while all-rounder Rovman Powell struck 39 and Devon Thomas, 23, as Scorpions lost wickets steadily.

Leg-spinner Imran Khan finished with five for 50 while off-spinner Jon-Russ Jagessar picked up three for 78.

Red Force looked to be making a run at the target when Khan and the in-form Hope put on 76 for the first wicket. On 38 without loss at lunch, the visitors pushed on afterwards with Khan hitting eight fours and a six off 80 balls and Hope facing 49 balls and counted four fours.

When Hope perished, Khan and Isaiah Rajah (eight) put on a further 27 before the first collapse set in as Red Force lost three wickets for 20 runs.

Stumbling on 123 for four, Ottley and Cariah made a last ditch effort to save the innings from total ruin by putting on exactly 50 for the fifth wicket.

Ottley faced 50 balls and struck three fours while Cariah lasted 55 deliveries also counted three boundaries.

Once Ottley fell, however, the final collapse set in. Roshon Primus smashed a cameo 25 from 30 balls to delay the inevitable but Red Force lost their four wickets without adding a run.

For example, one deadly incident was recently headlined: “Brother and sister die in fire.” (Dec 2) Police reported that the two children, a four-year-old boy and two-year-old sister, had been locked up in “the wooden, galvanised” house at Valencia while “the parents went out to do business.” Valencia councillor, Ms Simone Gill, lamented: “You can’t leave children that age home alone. You have to put things in place and make some other sacrifice to secure the children.” A few days before, the headlines screamed: “A barbaric death,” “Autopsy reveals Jenice beaten to death.” This was another heart-rending but intriguing incident about a four-year-old girl. The autopsy report said she was beaten to death with a blunt instrument.

(Nov 30) Not as a result of “eating French fries with ketchup,” as earlier claimed.

Media reported that the child’s parents broke up and she was left with her father, 33-year-old Robert Figaro, a woman and her two children. It was subsequently revealed that this four-year-old girl had been regularly beaten, left with visible bruises, and threatened not to talk about it. Horrific home.

The mother, Shana Charles, 30, expressed deep regret at not listening to her child’s pleading to stay with her. The child pleaded “Mammy, please don’t go, stay nah.” Shana said: “If I had known that she was being a abused, I would have taken her away from it all.” Horrific homes are nothing new to us. Would it surprise you to know that there is much more licks given to children at home than at school? For example, we recall our 2006 study for the Ministry; while 5% of the 2,800 secondary school students (anonymously) said that their teachers “physically hit” them as punishment, as much as 15% said their parents did so for the same offence (eg fighting). For the 17 other offences so measured, punishment at home was generally more severe than at school. This is not the first time we are pointing this out. Sure, the study was done in 2006, but we are convinced the situation with student violence and indiscipline has grown over the years.

Now child brutality goes in other ways too. At our last count, there were about 8,000 children left behind by imprisoned parents, especially the recidivists – with many left-behind children having to rake and scrape here and there. About two months ago, a father gave his 11-year-old son to drink poison, then poisoned himself. Psychological trauma also comes from children witnessing brutal violence and murders in full view. Such “children of war” seldom overcome the consequent neuroses.

Even knowing how viciously their parents got murdered is enough to inflict life-long trauma on many children. Just two months ago (Oct 10), two men ambushed a husband, 45, and wife, 53, in their Cunupia home, slashed the woman’s throat and left the man very badly wounded. Their two children are still sick with grief. Many such incidents in recent times – horrific killings, beating women, brutality on children – compel many citizens to wonder if the country itself has become a chamber of horrors.

One newspaper editorial called it “The war on women and children.” (Oct 6) As a brief three-month review reveals, there are other levels of growing violence and indiscipline among youth, such as the police, in a “shoot-out,” having to kill a 16-year-old boy just out from St Michael’s Home for Boys. A 14-year-old school-girl in uniform caught having sex with a pastor in a parked car. A group of secondary school students publicly beating up another student. A 16-year-old school male drop-out charged for murdering a 62-year-old man in a bar. Five secondary school dropouts (14 to 17 years) charged for cultivating marijuana. Then, maybe as comic relief, we had two teenage brothers, charged for obscene language and resisting arrest, claiming they did so because they were “bored with life.”