The projects below received the greatest number of votes from our Massy employees in this region and will therefore proceed to the final stage for disbursing the grants. During this stage further criteria will be reviewed to assure regulatory adherence.
A school cafeteria is essential for promoting student health, engagement, and academic success. It serves as more than just a place for meals; it fosters healthy eating habits, social interaction, and a positive school culture. Many students rely on the cafeteria for balanced nutrition during busy school days. Vistabella Presbyterian School recognizes this need after five years without a cafeteria. Introducing one not only ensures access to nutritious meals but also enhances the curriculum by engaging students in active purchasing and selling routines. Despite space limitations, careful planning at the board and city corporation levels has paved the way for this initiative. The proposed cafeteria, an 8×10 concrete structure with secure metal doors and sliding windows, will feature inner countertops for meal preparation, fridge, washing area, and storage. This addition promises to benefit students, parents, and staff alike, providing a conducive environment for healthy meals and social interaction. Every effort would be made to ensure that preparation of meals would be done to highest hygienic standards.
Vistabella Presbyterian School, with over 150 years of excellence, is a vibrant educational institution dedicated to academic achievement, character development, and holistic growth. Nestled in the heart of its community, the school fosters a supportive and inclusive environment where students explore interests, cultivate talents, and pursue personal and academic success. The curriculum, designed to meet diverse needs, emphasizes academic rigor, creativity, and critical thinking. Beyond academics, the school prioritizes character education, instilling values of integrity, compassion, and respect. Through extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership opportunities, students develop into responsible and empathetic citizens. Supported by dedicated educators, staff, and engaged parents, Vistabella Presbyterian School is committed to nurturing every student’s potential, equipping them with the skills and values to thrive in an ever-changing world. Guided by a mission to inspire excellence and empower positive change, the school continues to be a beacon of learning and opportunity for future generations.
With a keen awareness of the challenges faced by children aged 5 to 14 with disabilities, the organization aspires to pioneer a new early intervention and development project. The motivation for this initiative stems from the identified gap in educational services, as few schools are adequately equipped to meet the unique needs of this demographic, leading to some individuals being unable to access essential educational and developmental interventions. Recognizing the necessity for specialized attention and tailored educational approaches from an early age, the organization plans to launch a pilot project with a group of fifteen (15) children. The project will focus on enhancing motor skills development through targeted activities, improving hand-eye coordination to foster independence in tasks, providing life skills training with a focus on communication, self-care, and social interaction, and introducing age-appropriate educational content to develop basic academic skills. This initiative aims to bridge the educational gap and provide comprehensive support to children with disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary interventions for their holistic development.
The National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) serves as a pillar of empowerment, devoted to enhancing the lives of individuals aged fourteen (14) and above with disabilities through innovative vocational training programs. Their offerings encompass a wide array of skill development courses, including Mathematics, English, Computer Literacy, Arts and Crafts, Physical Education, and Character Education, alongside specialized vocational training in areas like Agriculture, Beauty Culture, Bookbinding and Paper Recycling, Food Preparation, Garment Construction, Information Technology, Office Administration, Welding, and Woodwork. Additionally, NCPD provides vocational rehabilitation services, offering vocational assessment, counselling, work adjustment training, independent living skills, and job placement. The organization prides itself on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that equips students with the necessary skills for success. NCPD remains steadfast in its dedication to inclusivity, equity, and the holistic development of every individual, irrespective of their abilities.
The school is aiming to expand its gardening amenities with a focus on teaching students, particularly those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, about food sustainability. Through the Forces for Good grant, they plan to introduce hydroponic and vertical farming alongside their existing seven gardening beds and construct a plant nursery. This expansion is designed to enable students with limited space for gardening at home to apply the skills they learn. The project emphasizes recycling, composting, and pesticide-free gardening to promote environmental stewardship. Through hands-on learning, students will acquire practical skills in sustainable agriculture, deepening their understanding of food production and environmental responsibility. Successful funding from the grant will cover essential resources such as hydroponic systems, vertical gardening structures, the nursery, and educational materials. By empowering students to grow their own food sustainably, the school aims to tackle food insecurity while instilling a sense of environmental awareness and stewardship within the school community.
Established in 1953 by the Tackveeyatul Islamic Association (T.I.A.), Five Rivers Islamia T.I.A. stands as a beacon of educational excellence in Trinidad and Tobago. With a proud legacy spanning over seven decades, the school is dedicated to nurturing academic achievement, moral integrity, and holistic development. Under the visionary leadership of their acting principal, the institution prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and transformative education. The team of seven dedicated teachers fosters a nurturing environment where every student, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds, can thrive. With a student population of 158, the school ensures personalized attention and support for each child’s growth and development. Their motto, “Strive to Succeed,” encapsulates their commitment to empowering students to excel academically, spiritually, and personally. Notably, the school was ranked 31st out of 91 schools in the St George East Educational District at the SEA 2023 examination, showcasing their dedication to excellence. With a focus on academics, agricultural sustainability, and environmental stewardship, Five Rivers Islamia T.I.A. prepares students for success in a globalized world.
This programme facilitates homework assistance, remedial classes and exposure to interesting extracurricular activities. The extra-curricular content ranges from foreign language exposure, and leadership training to therapeutic activities and motivational presentations.
Kids In Need of Direction (KIND) is a non-profit organization situated in Laventille that has been aiding disadvantaged children and families throughout Trinidad & Tobago for over two decades. With a mission to empower children and transform lives, KIND envisions a sustainable organization that fosters holistic development. Aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for inclusive education and lifelong learning, KIND believes in ensuring all children and families can lead healthy, balanced lives and positively contribute to Trinidad and Tobago. KIND caters to a diverse range of needs, approaching each case with kindness and understanding. Their holistic approach encompasses spiritual, social, cognitive, emotional, moral, physical, and academic development, tailored to individual needs. Through engaging programs that promote personal and collective responsibility, community-building, and cooperation, KIND empowers individuals to lead happier and healthier lives. Their initiatives integrate fun, mindfulness, and culturally relevant content, striving to create positive impacts and foster a sense of well-being within communities.
This project is aimed at refurbishing the Palliative Care Unit and also replacing old equipment used in the unit.
The Society was incorporated in 2011 as a Non-Profit Organization under the Companies Act 1995 and registered as a Non-Profit Society under the Non-Profit Organization Act No. 7 of 2019 to provide Palliative Care to medical personnel and other caregivers. This initiative was started by Mr. Saty Seemungal and Mrs. Chan Seemungal, with the assistance of their son David, after the Seemungals lost their daughter Trudy Ann Velanytham to lung cancer. Their primary goals are to transform the care available to persons with life-threatening illnesses and their families in Trinidad and Tobago through increased medical support, social support, and advocacy. They are also dedicated to improving training and education about palliative care.
The organization is bombarded daily with horrendous cases which require major rehabilitation in terms of medical care. Most of the dogs rescued have to undergo vast procedures including; amputation of limbs and chemotherapy. This means hospitalization at vet clinics for multiple dogs at a time. The Project itself is not a shelter with a physical location, all the animals in its care have to remain in boarding at clinics until homes are found. Most of the time there are over 30 dogs and pups in boarding which becomes a huge financial strain. The plan is to use the grant to offset some of the costs and help the organization continue its work of making a difference not only in the life of the animal but in the life of the special human who adopts it.
The Mustapha Project was founded in February 2014. It is a small animal rescue, non-profit organization attempting to be a voice for the voiceless in Trinidad & Tobago. The main aim of the Project is to give the “underdogs” a chance; meaning give the dogs that society deems unworthy a chance at having a happy ending. The majority of cases received by the organization deals with dogs and pups that are severely injured or sick and have been abandoned or abused. The animals are rescued, rehabilitated, spayed/neutered and then rehomed. During the 10 years the project has been in existence over 850 animals have been rescued across the country, with this number rising significantly as more and more animals are being dumped on a daily basis. The project also aims at educating the public on topics such as; the importance of spaying and neutering, the positive impact dogs have on mental and physical human health and the benefits of choosing to adopt rather than purchasing a dog or pup.
The School Improvement/Renovation Project involves a range of tasks aimed at enhancing the school’s facilities. These include renovating the washrooms, installing awnings in the corridors, covering walkways, replacing classroom blinds, and building a playground for the students.
Marabella Government Primary School located in Fahey Avenue, Union Park East, Marabella is an educational institution dedicated to nurturing the young minds of many students in the area. With a rich history of academic excellence spanning several decades, the school prides itself on providing a holistic learning experience that encompasses both intellectual and character development with its diverse student body, comprising children from various cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses.
The School Upgrade Project includes upgrading the Science laboratories with modern apparatus and materials, promoting hands-on learning and potentially expanding subjects like Chemistry and Physics. The Technical Drawing (TD) room will be upgraded to provide a conducive study environment, comfortable desks, and storage for artifacts for CSEC examinations. Technical Drawing students will also receive faster laptops or desktops for the AutoCAD program. Additionally, upgrading the Teachers’ Staff Room aims to create a relaxed atmosphere, fostering creativity, and boosting work productivity among teachers.
Belmont Secondary School, established in 1977 as Belmont Junior Secondary, has experienced remarkable growth since its transition to a full-day, five-year institution in 2008. Despite initial perceptions tied to its junior secondary origins, the school has become a symbol of progress and opportunity. Recent years have seen significant improvements in literacy and numeracy standards among students and families, with SEA Examination scores averaging above 50 marks, showcasing a commitment to academic excellence. This positive trajectory reflects the resilience and determination of the diverse student body.
Music is an effective tool for supporting students in learning beyond reading and writing. Music can be used as an opportunity to express themselves and build character and confidence also add value to their lives, it can also help the students to engage better at school. The school is in need of assistance in securing a music room where a music teacher would be hired to work with the children.
The Good Shepherd Anglican Primary School is one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most well-regarded educational institutions. It has a long history dating back to the late 19th century having admitted its first pupil in 1892. Today the school is not only known for its academic achievements but its accomplishments in areas such as music and sport.
The library upgrade at Crystal Stream Government Primary School will provide students with essential tools and resources to enhance their knowledge and research skills. This includes procurement of reading materials like textbooks, research materials, and non-fiction books, as well as technology such as computers for online access to digital media and the World Wide Web. Additionally, the upgrade will include audio-visual equipment like projectors and screens, suitable furniture like shelving, tables, and chairs, and improvements to the overall atmosphere through lighting and painting. The upgraded and equipped library is expected to positively impact the lives of students at Crystal Stream Government Primary School by fostering increased literacy levels and developing their research skills. This improved learning initiative aims to inspire students to achieve higher levels of excellence in their academic pursuits.
Crystal Stream Government Primary School is an educational institution located in Crystal Stream Rd, Petit Valley, Trinidad and Tobago.
