The U.S. Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, John L. Estrada, attended a concert hosted by the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, (UWI STA). The Department of Creative and Fine Arts, in partnership with HOPE worldwide Trinidad and Tobago and 2016 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar Tony Martin hosted the event. The concert honored St. Mary’s Children Home (SMCH) staff and residents.
Other dignitaries included: Archbishop Claude Berkley, Deputy Campus Principal Rhodda Reddock, faculty and staff of DCFA, and talent from the Port of Spain Church of Christ, like Leslie Millet, Woman’s Ministry Leader, Brenda Butler, one of the 2016 Women in Jazz in Trinidad and Tobago, and local recording artist Judah Bharath. Members of the worship team provided backup vocals for several performers including Malibongwe Thwala, who attends Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, and is studying abroad in the U.S. from Swaziland, Africa.
Tony Martin produced an afternoon of music for SMCH residents that included the participation of the Birdsongtt Academy, the Indian Classical Music workshop ensemble, and the UWI DCFA Jazz Band. Tony and Joel F. Jean-Michel, students at the University of Massachusetts Boston, created a six-week music workshop program for SMCH to help bolster a positive self-image through arts and dialogue. SMCH currently cares for children coming through the court system. Most of them are placed at the home for rehabilitation from various degrees of abuse.
The children are afforded basic rights and more that is necessary for a child's healthy development and growth. They are given suitable education for their needs and medical treatment, both physical and physiological as necessary. The music and sport programs aids in the therapeutic care of the children. Social development and academic support is given through volunteer programs, such as HOPE worldwide who has worked with SMCH for more than 15 years.
The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for undergraduate students of limited financial means who are U.S. citizens to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad. Such international exchange is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.
This congressionally-funded program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education through its office in Houston, Texas. Named after retired congressman Benjamin A. Gilman from New York, the program was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000.
Congressman Gilman, who retired in 2002 after serving in the House of Representatives for 30 years and chairing the House Foreign Relations Committee, said, "Study abroad is a special experience for every student who participates. Living and learning in a vastly different environment of another nation not only exposes our students to alternate views, but also adds an enriching social and cultural experience. It also provides our students with the opportunity to return home with a deeper understanding of their place in the world, encouraging them to be a contributor, rather than a spectator in the international community."
The event was well attended and SMCH kids really appreciated our efforts. It was an honor working with Gary and Kirtia Arthur, directors of HOPE worldwide TT, who provided us with an opportunity to share our love of God with SMCH through volunteerism and building bridges to the community.