Last week I wrote on the ‘zombification’ of our daily lives, where we fill any and every spare minute with our mobile phones.

Today’s article simply continues to build on this discussion. Admittedly, I have fallen into this category on many occasions, as the pace of life simply seems to have become so fast that we try to afford ourselves options to adapt.

The result of the rapidity of our daily lives, coupled with the increasing time requirements of our various individual activities, that concept of ‘family time’ is quickly becoming one week that can be squeezed in somewhere within a year, to accommodate the family vacation.

Where sometimes even on the family vacation, many of us are still ‘connected’. This is in no way designed to judge, based on the use of electronic devices, but to remind that communication between and among people, in person, provides value that can never be replaced by electronic interaction. One may proffer that it is easier said than done, and perhaps this may be true.

But we must at some point recognise that we need to ensure we connect to people, particularly those with whom we are closely related, to maintain and continue to develop strong bonds, and even simply to know what’s taking place in their daily lives.

I spoke about the very fast pace of daily life and its impact on encouraging family time, and while I do appreciate how challenging it has become to share our time, we must also recognise that time is the most expensive commodity, therefore how and with whom we invest it requires very careful consideration. Time invested in and with your family, your children, your friends and others of significance makes the difference in our daily lives, and has become something we almost have to think about to ensure it becomes ‘written into our schedules’. I have fallen prey to this fallacy of ‘not having time’ on so many occasions while attempting to do everything I felt needed to be done to ‘save the world’. While in this process, many times I myself became either one of the ‘mobile zombies’, or very detached with what and who may be right in front of you.

What do we do? The first thing is to recognise that time is something we generally do not get back, therefore invest it wisely.

Planning and embarking on outof- country vacations may not be easily manageable, so, a ‘staycation’ is certainly something to consider.

As a pre-teen, I recall some of the best times in my vacation period was spent by relatives in the southern part of Trinidad, where we spent 20 of 24 hours outdoors, playing in the rain, climbing trees, picking fruit, running from dogs and the many things children just do not experience as fully as they should. While an out-of-country vacation to an exciting destination is always wonderful, our country has been blessed with some of the most intriguing sights and sounds that can more than fill two months of vacation time, most without spending exorbitant figures.

Sometimes, time investment with the family can be as simple as making it a mission to have breakfast, lunch or dinner together, and chat about everyone’s day, including attending religious services.

Once the commitment has been made to dine together as a family, the commitment should be followed with a ban of electronics for that specific period, where all attention and interest is placed on the people around. These are my son’s favourite times, and the cost – only time.

The NIB said they discovered he was a PriceSmart employee for those six years, making him ineligible for the benefit. The man confirmed that he did work at PriceSmart, but only for two months. And that was six years ago.

Last September, Merrill Auguste, 42, of Guapo Main Road, Fyzabad noticed the invalidity benefit he was receiving since 2010 was not give to him that month.

He queried the non-payment at NIB’s Siparia branch many times but did not receive an explanation until he was asked to visit the branch in November.

“Looking at the screen, the clerk said she did not know I was still working PriceSmart,” said a still bemused Auguste.

Auguste said the clerk explained she was seeing NIS payments from Pricesmart between 2010 and 2016. This meant he was working and, therefore, ineligible for the benefit. Overwhelmed by the news, Auguste left the office and returned to collect the official letter.

The letter, dated November 15, 2016 and undersigned by the manager of the Siparia Service Centre of the NIB (without an accompanying print of the name), read, “After reviewing your claim for the invalidity benefit, it was discovered that you were overpaid the benefit in the sum of one hundred and forty-seven thousand, eight hundred and thirty-six dollars and seventy-five cents for the period 12/04/2016 to 11/09/2016.” The letter asked Auguste to visit the Siparia Service Centre to discuss a repayment method.

Auguste said he tried many times to explain that there must have been an error in the system.

He did work at PriceSmart, but only for two months.

He even provided the NIB with a payroll summary from Pricesmart as proof, but again to no avail. Auguste provided Newsday with a copy of the payroll summary which showed him being paid on a weekly basis between April 18, 2010 and June 6, 2010, NIS contributions and all.

Auguste lost his left leg in a car accident on July 6, 2007 while on his way to work as a helicopter operator at Transocean Ltd. Because the accident occurred on his way to work, his company agreed to pay him the land rate of his salary for the 16 months remaining on his three-year contract. When these payments stopped in 2010, Auguste applied for, and successfully qualified to receive an invalidity benefit from the NIB.

Though he qualified, Auguste did not start receiving the payment until several months after.

Unable to wait for the benefit to support his 16 and 10-year-old sons and his 15-year-old daughter, Auguste applied to work at PriceSmart and did so as a loss prevention officer for two months before leaving as he had not adjusted to his prosthetic leg.

When the paperwork at the NIB finally went through, he was first paid an $18,000 lump sum for the months between his qualifying for the benefit and when it started being paid. From then, Auguste said he “worked magic” to provide for his children with the $1,500 monthly benefit.

Only 32, at the time of the accident, Auguste’s life was changed forever. And the $147,836.75 claim hanging over his head has been a further blow. Auguste said his wife of seven years left him mere days after he lost his leg, and he has had to raise his three children as a single father. He did so proudly, often relying on them for much needed emotional support.

“I refer to them as my angels,” said Auguste, “because if wasn’t for my children standing at my side after my accident, I don’t know what I would have done.” When he stopped receiving the benefit last September, he was forced to give his children back to his former wife.

Auguste wants justice and not pity, although he said the last ten years of his life have been like “a nightmare that is never ending.” He has turned to writing poetry to cope.

Seecharan was speaking to Newsday yesterday after the launch of the Penmanship with a Purpose campaign, hosted by the Ministry of Education at the Government Campus Plaza, Richmond Street, Port of Spain.

He said the ministry had merely been verifying the number of places available.

“It was simply getting principals to align what we have with what they submitted to us,” he said.

“We are still in the process to find out how the document has been leaked into the public domain – the memo went out to the education district offices – and who would have shared it with principals.

“We are looking at a lot of people involved in the process.

Based on the investigation we will act appropriately. Persons are not to disseminate confidential information, and it was an internal document. If we find that someone had violated that, we can recommend disciplinary action to the Teaching Service Commission.”

The women aged 29 and 16, from South Trinidad were at the Brian Lara Promenade in Port of Spain last Friday when at 7 pm the elder was accosted by her ex-boyfriend who beat and ordered her into a car parked nearby.

The teen was also ordered into the car where another man sat in the front passenger seat.

The sisters were taken to a house at Bushe Street in San Juan where the men took turns raping them.

The women told police that they were assaulted for several hours before the men, both exhausted, fell asleep on the bed.

Sometime during the early morning hours on Saturday, the sisters quietly got dresses and sneaked out of the house.

The sisters sought help of passers-by and were taken to the San Juan police station where they were met by WPC Greenidge, who took an initial report from them.

Greenidge and other officers made their way to the house in Bushe Street where they found the men in a deep slumber.

Both were awakened and placed under arrest.

The victims were later medically examined and officers returned to the house to photograph the bedroom and collect DNA evidence.

Both men who remain in custody are facing kidnap, assault, rape and indecent assault charges once investigations are completed.

The victims are receiving counselling from the Police’s Victims of Crime Support Unit.

This year’s edition will take place from June 22 to July 2, with the swimming, water polo, diving and synchronised swimming disciplines being contested at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva while the open water category will be held at Turtle Beach, Tobago from June 24-26.

In an interview yesterday, Lai Hing said, “We’re just fine-tuning, with respect to the logistics and all who’re coming in, but the main groundwork has been done.

“The Sports Company has already started to convert the pools, because the (water polo) is the first (event). All the relevant equipments are being tested out.” Lai Hing continued, “With respect to the facility, everything is up and in a gear.

Administrative-wise, we’re just tying up with the police and the various entities (that) we have on board.

Because of some of the parties that are coming to the Meet, we have some very high-level people coming from FINA (the global governing body). So we have to make sure that security is at its highest.” The water polo will take place from June 22-28, the swimming will run from June 28 to July 2 and the diving and synchronised swimming will be staged from June 29 to July 2.

As much as 31 countries are expected to feature at the CCCAN Championships.

Lai Hing noted, “We have some of the other (nations) coming in like Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

They’re coming for the open water and the water polo, because the water polo tournament is actually a qualifier for the CAC Games. So the Open category, the water polo, is going to be huge.” This will be the biggest event to be staged, thus far at the Aquatic Centre, and Lai Hing commented, “We can host four of the disciplines because we have the capacity.

It’s exciting time for aquatics in Trinidad and Tobago but, what is also good about it, is that the country will be able to have international people coming in, because the boost for sports tourism is great right now.” Concerning the TT squad, Lai Hing said, “The Trinidad and Tobago team trains once a week.

This Thursday, we’ll be having TTOC bringing some of their people to do a workshop with the young athletes with respect to protocols.

“This Meet is the highest-level Meet in this region, for example Dylan Carter, Joshua Romany, Cherelle Thompson, the more international-flavoured athletes, they’re not even here yet.

They’ll be coming in closer to the tournament because they have their various programmes (that) they’re working on. In addition to that, the Meet is also a qualifier for World Seniors, which these same athletes are aspiring to take part in.” With regards to seating accommodation for the large influx of competitors, and fans, at the Aquatic Centre, Lai Hing stated, “Actually, for the water polo, because we’re using two pools, we will be having bleachers on the outside.

“The capacity for the stand is almost 900, so we’re hoping the overspill wouldn’t be too much,” he continued. “We really wouldn’t want to have to turn away people.

The (swimming events) goes in sessions, mornings and evenings.

Because it’s usually working time, we don’t expect the morning period to be as saturated as the afternoon sessions.

“We have to work within the constraints of what the facility offers,” Lai Hing ended.

Therefore, children deserve to attend school regularly, get a quality education, to enjoy their school days and live in communities free from violence. They also need nutritious meals and snacks to support growth and development, a stable home environment, and afforded opportunities that will enhance academic performance and the development of technical vocational skills, and much more.

Several countries celebrated International Children’s Day on June 1, a day which is dedicated to raising awareness about the issues affecting children, as well as their rights and well-being. This special day dates as far back as 1925, as the world community met to discuss the well-being of children in Geneva, Switzerland.

However, globally there are some negative issues which tend to impact education, as well as health, and nutritional status of children.

These include but should not be limited to child labour, child marriage, malnutrition, iron deficiency anaemia, overweight and obesity and so on. According to a United Nations’ report, globally at least 215 million of the world’s children are engaged in child labour; such activities prevent children from attending school, and can more than likely impair their physical, social and mental development; also, they may not be recipients of proper nutrition care. Today’s article will focus on nutrition for children.

Good nutrition versus poor nutrition Good nutrition contributes to growth and development, and also enhances the health and well-being of children. Whereas, poor nutrition coupled with other factors which include but should not be limited to poverty, insufficient food available within households, unemployment of parents or guardians, and overconsumption of the wrong types of foods over a period of time can probably result in malnutrition.

From a recent report, the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, World Health Organization, and World Bank Group (2017) they indicated that globally in 2016, 155 million children under five years of age were stunted.

Briefly, poor nutrition contributes to stunting in early childhood; stunting negatively impacts growth and cognitive development, and children affected may not achieve their full height. Once stunting occurs, the challenges encountered include learning difficulties, decline in earning capacity, and may hinder participation in community activities. Also, they noted that approximately 52 million children less than five years old were wasted, and 17 million severely wasted.

Wasting is described as acute malnutrition, in which the child may experience rapid weight loss, and fails to gain weight over a period of time. It affects the immune system, contributes to long-term developmental delays, and may increase the potential risk for death.

On the other hand, childhood overweight and obesity among this age group were noted; this is another form of malnutrition in which too many calories are consumed from meals and beverages offered, and there is little energy expenditure (lack of physical activity). This, of course, over a period of time may result in other health issues such as the chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The report documented that 41 million children were overweight; in comparison to the previous period in 2000; there is an increase by 11 million. Rationale being that the availability and easy access to processed foods and sugary drinks, as well as marketing trends, and the lack of physical activity contributes to this problem.

Moreover, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (2017) documented that in Latin America and the Caribbean, obesity and overweight are increasing; prevalence is noted among women and children. Also, the Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security in Latin America and the Caribbean reported that in the region at least 58 per cent of the population is overweight with the highest rates of observed in the Bahamas, Mexico, and Chile, noted to be that of 69 per cent, 64 per cent, and 63 per cent, respectively. While obesity affects 23 per cent of the region’s population; they found the highest rates in Caribbean countries which include Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda, with 36 per cent, and for the other two territories listed 31 per cent each, respectively. Overall, obesity among females is ten percentage points higher compared to that of their male counterparts.

Healthy meals and snacks Serving well-balanced meals and healthy snacks should be the aim of meal managers, parents/ guardians, cafeteria operators and caterers.

The meals should be prepared using healthy, nutritious, local produce from farms or kitchen gardens. Choose fresh local produce or frozen foods; limit the use of canned food products, if used, drained contents and rinsed under running tap water. The meals served should comprise of staples, legumes, foods from animals, vegetables, fruits, and fats and oils.

In review, the Caribbean Food Groups should be used as the guide in meal planning.

For example, breakfast can include seasonal fruit, staple, protein food, a small banana, hot or ready-to-eat cereal, whole wheat toast with peanut butter and beverage (optional).

Lunch can consist of staples, protein food or legumes, vegetables, a beverage, macaroni pie, baked chicken or pigeon peas patty, cooked vegetables and a fruit drink. For supper: staples, protein food or legumes, veggies, beverage, sandwich with cheese or channa spread, lettuce and tomato salad, yoghurt. For snacks you can select milk in plain or flavoured form, fresh fruit pieces, vegetable pieces, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, granola and yoghurt, breadsticks, breadfruit or ground provision chips and so one. Offer water between meals.

Keep in mind that portion sizes may vary based on the age of the children – pre-schoolers, schoolaged children, and adolescents.

Presently, school nutrition programmes established by governments at the local, regional and international levels, such as school breakfast and school lunch for children and adolescents, offer nutritious meals and beverages to aid them in meeting their daily nutritional requirements.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology, and Allied Health

In a media release yesterday, the company said it was facing the “toughest period” in its 20-year history, as global LNG prices remained at “depressed levels” while experiencing “unprecedented” levels of gas-supply shortfall.

“Over the last two years, the severe gas supply shortages have resulted in facility utilisation rates of less than 70 per cent,” Atlantic said.

“Recognising the need to respond to the gas shortages, to streamline its activities and ensure it remains efficient in the new environment, Atlantic has conducted a comprehensive review of its business __ part of which has included a review of the required resources.” It said “regrettably” Atlantic would be reducing its permanent staff, but this was expected to be by fewer than 50 people, or approximately seven per cent, and it was hoped the reduction could be achieved “as far as possible” by voluntary separation. In an immediate response, former energy minister Kevin Ramnarine said that the company’s VSE P offer was a “sign that companies are adjusting to the new normal” of lower energy prices.

In a text message, Ramnarine expressed confidence in the company’s management saying, “Atlantic is a well-run company with a good leadership team. I’m sure they will make the best decisions to guarantee the viability of the company going forward.” Another former energy minister Conrad Enill said the VSE P offer was another sign that the industry was “right-sizing itself” to the present economic situation.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Enill said he was not surprised given the reduced gas supplies and revenue earnings.

“Any other reductions in the energy- sector workforce would not surprise me,” he added, “because the energy streams are not there to support the level of expenditure that we as a country are accustomed to.”

The video features a man threatening to ‘kill anything’ while another man brandishes an assault rifle.

It prompted renewed calls from residents for a greater police presence in the neighbourhood to help arrest escalating gang violence.

Newsday spoke to longtime Maloney resident, ‘Moses’ who said that regardless of the video’s age, violence and crime continues to be an everyday reality for residents, adding that in his 20 years as a resident of Maloney, it has never been as dangerous as it is now.

“My daughter showed me the video on her phone it’s crazy what’s going on now with these young fellas in the community.

We always ha d our problems with petty robberies and stuff but this isn’t just isolated incidents anymore.

This is a deliberate attempt from certain elements to expand and control our neighborhood.” Moses said that he along with other tenants are concerned by the boldness of criminals in the area and called on police to keep the pressure on criminals and perform more frequent exercises in Maloney.

“These guys know that the odds of them getting arrested are small so they can post videos like this and don’t think twice. I have two children to think about and the other residents feel the same way as I do.

The police would make a raid ever so often and when they leave it’s business as usual with these fellas and their foolishness.” The video which surfaced on social media during the weekend features several suspected gang members at a block party in Maloney where they are seen showing off what appears to be an AR 15 Assault Rifle.

“We killing a regular rasta right now. It could be Rasta, Muslim, Christian or Baptist.

Anybody getting it.” Last year, another video surfaced on social media in which several men were seen firing automatic weapons in the air during New Years’ celebrations in Maloney.

Two men have since been held in connection with the video.

Police from the Cumuto station, operating on an anonymous tip, visited a home in Cunaripo Road, Tamana, at around 5 pm on Monday and saw a man tending to the massive field.

On seeing the police, he ran into the nearby forest. Police chased but the man escaped.

The police found five 12-gauge cartridges at a nearby camp.

This is a beach lime event, so come with your coolers, eats and snacks. Life jackets will be provided along with a football, cricket bat, wind ball and maybe a kayak.

Rate: Easy Meeting point: Maracas Bay Lookout, North Coast Road Time: 7.30 am For more info: visit hikersinc.com