Achieve TT Magazine Issue# 1

Achieve Catalog: Issue 1 Page 1 Page 1

Contents1. Contents Page2. Editor’s Note3. AchieveTT - Who We Are5. An Iconic Achievement6. For the Love of Trinbagonians7. Capturing Our Beauty8. 100 Years of Girl Guides9. Inspired by Art to Achieve10. Recipe for Success11. Chosen to Achieve12. For the Love of Maths14. The Art of Achievement15. The OT Journey

16. A True Brand Ambassador17. Preserving Our History18. Achieve - The Photo Competition20. Artist on a Mission21. Ready...Set...Hatch22. Uncovering Local Talent23. Enthusiasm for Events24. Aiming high with her words25. Tyker Does Theatre26. Keeping T&T Healthy27. Ready to make a Smash with Music28. Passionate about Healthcare29. Inspired by Dance

30. The Lime is Now in The East31. A Melodic Journey32. A Passion for the Environment33. The Survivor34. For the Love of Art35. A Passion for the Music

Managing Director: Annmarie BoodramEditor: Michelle A. Eng LeangGraphic Designer: Sean Farrell

17 Sirjoo Lane, Limehead Road, Chase Village,Trinidad W.I.Phone: 672-4936 / 767-3955 Email: [email protected]

Achieve Mag 2.indd 1 3/12/15 3:26 PM

Achieve Catalog: Issue 1 Page 2

EDITOR’S NOTE

TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE

The brighter side of things has always been more

appealing to me than the gloom and doom of life. When I

began my career as a writer/journalist more than twenty

years ago, I was never interested in reporting on the

occurrences around us that made us see the glass half

empty. It was the stories on Trinidadians and Tobagonians who were

making a difference that appealed to me, our fellow citizens who

made the best of life and carved a path of success despite the odds

that seemed to be against our twin island Republic.

We seem to be treading water in a sea of negativity here in Trinidad

and Tobago, and it has become so easy for the not so good to take

precedent, overshadowing the true heroes in our society, those

who find a way to contribute constructively to T & T. I am honoured to introduce you to the launch issue of The Achieve Catalog, a

publication dedicated to the positivity in Trinidad and Tobago.

As you browse through the Catalog, you will meet men, women and

children from across the nation and well as those who live abroad,

who are flying the flag high with their achievements. By sharing their stories, we hope to not only showcase their good work but to

increase the drive to repel the negativity and persevere together as

we all contribute to celebrate T&T for the beautiful place it is.We are already receiving stories for our next issue, so please get in

touch if you’ve achieved something lately, #achievett

Together, we will only get better,

Michelle A. Eng Leang Editor



AchieveTT will:Showcase the accomplishments as individuals, members of communities and even corporate citizens. Read about and be inspired by the successes of our fellow citizens both at home and around the Globe.

Share your recent achievements or that of someone you know with the hashtag, #achievett. Or simply post your Achieve story on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/achievett

Ready, set…ACHIEVE!

WHAT IS ACHIEVE?Mission statementAchieveTT is committed to creating a platform to celebrateand sustain achievements big and small throughoutTrinidad and Tobago.

Vision statementOur vision is to showcase every iota of positivityof Trinidad and Tobago.

The AchieveTT Catalog

We are excited to present the launch issue of the Achieve Catalog! Our Catalog, which will be published every two months, features achievements from around the country. We are only focusing on the positive and those citizens who are committed to making a difference in their lives, no matter how big or small. We’re already working on our next issue which will include a host of coupons for our readers from our partner networks. Each issue will feature deals, freebies and exclusive offers from retailers and service providers in Trinidad and Tobago.

Inspiring each otherwith our achievements

AchieveTT is committed to a more positive Trinidad and Tobago and will provide a platform through our catalog to showcase the achievements of our fellow citizens.



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ANSLEM DOUGLAS: AN ICONIC ACHIEVEMENT

Music has to be your passion and your calling, you should feel it in your spirit!” These are the words

of one of Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca legends, Anslem Douglas. Born in San Fernando with his alma maters being San Fernando Boys’ R.C. and St. Benedict’s College, Anslem entered the Boy Scouts then joined the Military in 1984 and stayed until 1990. After the Military, he pursued his singing career with no regrets! The accolades amassed along his illustrious music career are certainly no secret. In 2001, he received a Grammy for the mega hit, “Who Let the Dogs Out!” when the group, Bahamen stormed the international music charts with a cover version of the song. Anslem also received a Black Comedian Song Award in the Caribbean Style Music category. He is presently spending most of his time at the recording studio.Anslem does not consider himself “just” a Carnival Artist as he produces his

music to be played all through the year.He grew up singing at his local church from the age of 9, recognising even then, that singing was his passion and would lead to a succesful career.On the personal side of Anslem, he enjoys hiking and spending time at the gym, as he sees fitness as an important aspect our lives. His favorite local food is soup revealing that from cow heel to beef to oxtail, he would have that as his preferred dish any day!He cites his biggest challenge as an artist being our local radio stations who he says are not rotating his released hits as often as he would like his fans to hear them. Still he is fueled by his fans knowing that he can easily be nothing without them. He pays much respect to them.

All in all, Anslem has years of hard work under his belt and the resuts are there to prove it. With his favourite saying being “This too shall pass,” he will no doubt, keep achieving.

“



Trinidad and Tobago has been known the world over for its cosmopolitan population. We are a vibrant people with several

religions, cultures and ethnicities colliding to make each and every one of us, “Trini to the Bone”. It is this very joint culture that is the nucleus of People of Trinidad and Tobago, a Facebook page that is gaining

momentum through its window into exactly that, the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Managed by Rashmi Mathur and her niece, Anika Mathur-Mohammed, the page is inspired by the world-renowned Humans of New York initiative, which started in 2010 as “an exhaustive catalogue of New York City’s inhabitants” and eventually developed into a blog, sharing the

stories of the people of this unique city.

“Anika and I were sitting having coffee one day and I was telling her about HoNY and what a great idea it was. She just said ‘Why don’t you do it?’ It was just the right moment, struck the right chord and I started that weekend. She has supported and encouraged me every step of the way.”

People of Trinidad and Tobago

launched the Facebook Page in May 2014 and already have a 15,000-strong community on Facebook made up of Trinbagonians touched by the unique and simple portrayal of our people.

With so much negativity floating around, we salute this effort as a major achievement on social media for Trinidad and Tobago. Definitely an #achievemoment.

FOR THE LOVE OF TRINBAGONIANS



Four years after purchasing his first DLSR camera, Timothy Corbin is definitely making Trinidad

and Tobago proud through his photography. From his first few posts on Flickr (an online photo sharing website) to pursuing landscape and auto photography professionally, Corbin’s talent speaks for itself.

His globe-trotting from working in the Energy sector certainly acted as a catalyst for his photography. “Every country I had the opportunity to visit, I tried to

OUR BEAUTYCAPTURING

capture the beauty of their landscapes and cities,” Corbin says.

As for his favourite places, when it comes to photography, Trinidad and Tobago will always be Number One. “Trinidad & Tobago has to be my Number One since it will always be my home and the beauty of the islands speaks for itself.”

Keep up the good work Timothy! through your lens, the world (through sites like Flickr and Getty Images) can see the beauty that is our twin island republic, Trinidad and Tobago. Check out Timothy’s work at www.inplainsight.com



The Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago (GGATT) is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. With over 10

million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 144 countries, this is definitely an achievement for the organization, the official Girl Guide movement, and by extension in our twin island Republic.

GGATT boasts active members of an amazing network and the world’s largest international voluntary organisation for girls and young women, WAGGGS - The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.Their membership also extends to the WAGGGS’ Western

Hemisphere Region made up of some 36 member organisations with an enrolment of well over 4 million girls and the WAGGGS’ Western Hemisphere Caribbean space Link of Guiding. Trinidad and Tobago, the GGATT membership stands at approximately 4900. GGATT provides non-formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development, challenges and adventure. The Association’s strength lies in the millions of girls and young women served and the impact they have among their peers, their families and the wider communities in which they live.

Girl Guides work on projects combating HIV and AIDS, peace building projects, healthy living and nutrition programmes, as well as programmes that develop and nurture self esteem and self confidence so girls and young women can make their own decisions about their

lifestyles. GGATT’s mission is to develop females through diversified training and experience by providing opportunities for empowerment, enabling them to become responsible citizens of the world.

With a long and rich history of developing young girls and empowering them to be leaders in the world, the Association wanted a special logo to commemorate 100 years since the founding of the Girl Guides in Trinidad and Tobago, 1914 - 2014. “We designed a logo that captured the spirit of youth, fun, empowerment and vibrancy. Additionally, it was important

for us to ensure that some of the essential elements, closely associated with Guiding, were also incorporated. As Lord Robert Baden-Powell once remarked, I have over and over again explained that the purpose of the … Girl Guide Movement is to build … women as citizens endowed with the three H’s namely, Health, Happiness and Helpfulness. The woman who succeeds in developing these three attributes has secured the main steps to success this Life.” Congratulations on reaching such an illustrious milestone and keep flying the Girl Guide’s flag high here in Trinidad and Tobago.

A 100 YEARS OF GIRL GUIDES



Dave Cooper has many an achievement to be proud of, fuelled by his sheer determination and a passion to

create. Founder and artistic director of Hybrid Theory, Dave is known for converging Art and passion to create masterpieces for events around the country. From brands such as Carib Pilsner and bmobile to the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism and the current Groovy Soca Monarch, Kerwyn Du Bois, Dave’s work certainly stands out. Marketing departments around the country know they can depend on Hybrid Theory and by extension, Dave, to bring their brands to life through Art.

His passion for art is not only evident through Hybrid but also in the eyes of his students. Dave is an Art teacher at South East Secondary School where he is driven to pass on his talent and the

knowledge that Art as a career path that should not be underestimated. He wants people to take Art seriously and hopes to one day build a school for artists in Trinidad and Tobago to facilitate just that.

Yet while he has proven to himself that he can achieve whatever he puts his mind to, Dave’s work is not done. He plans to inspire others to achieve through art and Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival.

Dave proves that with sheer perseverance and self belief, you can achieve! We salute yet another #achiever for keeping things positive here in Trinidad and Tobago.

INSPIRED BY ART TO ACHIEVE



When our Editor first met Ishmael, she was dining at Dr!nk Lounge and Bistro in Woodbrook where Ishmael had just prepared

her meal - and what a pizza! It turned out that Ishmael had an inspiring story and we thought we’d let him tell you in his words.“Blessings, my name is Ishmael Carabache (pronounced as Cara-bye) and I’m 24 years old. The earth was first blessed by my presence on May 27th 1990 by two amazing people; my mother, Ingrid and my father, Julien.I left Primary School with a pass to Trinity College East. The first two years, I focused on academics and sports but from then, it went downhill. I started getting suspensions, detentions, kicked out of my classes and my grades were dropping to the point where I got only three passes. I came to the conclusion that furthering school and working office jobs just wasn’t for me. Ultimately, street life was the life I chose. I was liming with the wrong crowd and doing the wrong things. Living that

life, I found myself almost getting arrested for drugs and almost getting killed. Going through that made me realise how real God is. He was showing me a sign that I am more than that.That is when I realised I loved cooking. My close friend Kemada encouraged me to enrol into Hotel school (Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute). I took her advice and I applied.In making that decision, I’m currently completing my Diploma in Culinary Arts and I am now a Chef at Dr!nk Lounge and Bistro that offers an extensive training programme for new employees. I also took part in a culinary competition on the TV show, Cup of Joe, which was a success and made me realize that this is my true passion in life. Thanks to God and believing in myself, all this took place in two years after making that decision to turn my life around.”

From the Team at Achieve, keep on soaring Ishmael! You’re a true Achiever.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS



Dhanesh Kissoon is known throughout Trinidad and Tobago for making murtis. At the age of 3, he used to play with clay around the house. He couldn’t always get the toys he wanted so he started

making them out of clay. With his gifted hands and his love for clay he started entering “Sanskritik Sangam” in the Art and Craft category in secondary school. He won many trophies and the hearts of the judges and teachers amazed by his creativity, a rare gift from the ancient days, and a gift from God according to the Hindu religion.

Dhanesh grew up in a religious home (his father is a pundit) in Flanagin town and would have Satsang on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. His father’s friend (also a pundit), Dave Rampersad was present at times for the service and on other occasions and would observe Dhanesh’s creations. He too was amazed. He then told Dhanesh’s father of another man who makes murtis for his temple and advised that Dhanesh meet him as the years passed.

Dhanesh became versatile with the tabla as well as tassa, dholak and dhantal from his father and uncle. From time to time, Dave would keep reminding Dhanesh and his father of the gift he was blessed with and the meeting.

At the age 19, Dhanesh finally decided to give it a try. He was introduced to Mr. Mahase and his son, Ravi of Chase Villlage and he fitted in comfortably as they treated him like family.

He spent three years mastering his art and, He not only learnt to make murtis but he learnt to weld and paint them too. Dhanesh does animals to go with the Murtis as well and People even request sculptures of loved ones alive and deceased.

Now on his own Dhanesh has been doing this for the past 11 years and is very thankful for Mr. Mahase and his son Ravi, who is a skilled air brush painter and still does the painting for him to date.

His work is recognized throughout Trinidad and

Tobago at temples and at homes ranging from 2ft to 12ft. His biggest landmark and accomplishment is at Dow Village, California by the RDC tv sculpt murtis and do paintings on a wall where he was contracted to do some sculpting of Murti’s and painting on the wall to beautify and highlight the Rameela Ground.

We asked Dhanesh how he does this so gracefully, with so much work and so little time between deadlines. He said “I myself don’t realize my skill and gift until it’s done; I sometimes go in a trance-like zone and my hands do all the work. I’m just an instrument of God. Many are called but few are chosen”. Thanks to Mr. Dave Rampersad for believing in me.” And thanks to Dhanesh for answering this call CHOSEN TO ACHIEVE



When Natalya Silcott talks about passion, mathematics is a major factor. “I believe that each person should find out exactly what it is they were put on the earth for and

try to fulfil their goals every day,” says Natalya. And that is exactly what she did with her education and more specifically, mathematics. Having taught at several institutions in Trinidad and Tobago, including COSTATT, Natalya left for the U.K. in 2004, shortly

after she got married.

She started working at BSix Brooke House Sixth Form College as the Maths Section Leader. Ten years later, she is currently the Assistant Curriculum leader for Level 3/3+ Mathematics at The UCL Academy and will be starting a new role at Harrow School, one of the U.K.’s leading

independent schools. Natalya is affiliated with many organisations including CADSTI UK, Future Think and the Further Maths Support Programme. She also sat on the Expert Panel for Core Maths in the U.K., which advised Government on the impending changes to post-16 Maths. Among her many milestones, speaking at the {Women in Maths} event at the Royal Institute in March 2014 certainly gets top marks (see photo).

Natalya’s academic background clearly illuminates her passion for maths and Education. Her qualifications include a BSc. and MPhil in maths from the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine) and a GCE and Master of Teaching from the Institute of Education (IOE) which sits at the top of the UK university league table for Education research.

And while she considers starting an Ed.D in October, she says the answer is her relationship with God and her family unit. “My husband David and our 3 children (ages 8, 5 and 3) are my biggest motivators. I cannot go without mentioning their nanny, Aunty Clomel, who makes it possible for me to have a fulfilling career. She is a blessing to my family. My grandparents, parents and aunts in Trinidad have always been my biggest influencers. I thrive on their wisdom and encouraging words.”

Follow Ms. Maths on Twitter (@Ms. Maths) and join her Facebook community, as she continues to spread her passion for Mathematics. “It is tough, but I am determined to have a positive influence on all my students. They see the fire in my eyes and know that I have passion in my belly. I love Maths.”

Continue to fly the flag high, Natalya! Definitely an #Achiever for Trinidad and Tobago! #achievett

FOR THE LOVE OF MATHS





The Arts is defined as the creation of beautiful or thought provoking works that are transcribed into different artistic forms. For nineteen year

old Jamal Barnett, the Arts became an avenue for self-expression. This occurred when he had lost his mother at the tender age of fourteen; a painful experience where his self-expressions eventually got him involved in Theatre Arts. Jamal believes that an achiever should be kind and willing to share their incredible story. His modesty is overbearing, when he stating that he does not consider himself

THE ART OF ACHIEVEMENT

an achiever, yet, this young man has already worked with Carvalho Productions on their presentation “Circus Circus”. displaying his talented ability to sing, dance and perform.He has studied Theatre Arts under the patronage of Ms Nicole Inniss, as well as our very own Achiever, Ms. Tyker Giselle at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop. In closing, Jamal wanted to leave some words of advice

for the young thespians of Trinidad and Tobago: “Be true to yourself, there will be a lot of people that will say that you can’t do it. Believe in the ones that believe in you amd you will be able to achieve anything you set your mind to!”

We believe in you too, Jamal!



Priya always knew she wanted a profession that helped others, but it wasn’t until university that she figured out her calling - Occupational Therapy (OT). OT is

an allied health profession that focuses on enabling people to participate in the things they need and want to do, thus increasing their quality of life. Simple tasks can become challenging for someone with a disability or injury and Priya’s job is to modify techniques, provide adaptive equipment or even modify the environment so the individual can be as independent as possible.

Priya completed a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy and gained valuable experience working in Maryland, USA. Her enthusiasm and ambition, coupled with the need for more occupational therapists here in Trinidad & Tobago, cemented her decision to return to her homeland in 2009.

Priya joined the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA) and, along with a handful of OTs, has been busy raising awareness and educating others about the needs and benefits of OT. She is currently the Chairman of TTOTA and believes one of their goals is to improve the healthcare system by advocating for positions for OTs in the public system. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about

15% of a population has a disability. For T&T, this means approximately 197,000 citizens could benefit from OT services. With only 14 registered and practicing OTs in T&T, many citizens do not have access to this much- needed profession.

As part of her commitment to the development of Occupational Therapy, Priya introduces primary and secondary students to the profession through Career Day workshops. She also presents on various health-related topics within the corporate community, She recently presented at NBCOT’s First International Occupational Therapy Regulatory Forum in London, the only therapist from the Caribbean invited to attend and present.

For more information on OT or the TTOTA, please visit www.ttota.com

Keep up the good work Priya!Priya Gomes

THE OT JOURNEYAchieve Mag 2.indd 15 3/12/15 3:26 PM


A TRUE BRAND AMBASSADOR

With an extensive passion for social media, brand positioning and marketing, Lindsay Glenn has certainly earned his stripes as a person who knows a thing or two

about engaging with the online community here in Trinidad and Tobago. Standing on the earth for just 23 years, Lindsay is bmobile’s Number One fan, and it shows. The journey to this accolade began in 2012 when Digicel launched their 4G network. Lindsay was keen to find out if our state-owned telecoms giant had similar plans. Twenty years ago, Lindsay may have gone into one of the Operator’s offices or called from a landline to get the question answered. In the 21st Century and however, questions get answered by turning to the world wide web.

Lindsay turned to their website and social media channels, including Twitter. “My first tweet to bmobile was in May 2012”, says Lindsay proudly. Soon Lindsay realized that through social media he could spread the word about his favourite brand, gain valuable experience in marketing and more specifically, the world of social media. Lindsay believes that marketing is intrinsic to his personality and as a result, is currently pursuing Marketing Courses with a view to making a successful career

via the discipline. He is certainly on the right track. With his goal to one day be a Brand Manager at bmobile, Lindsay thoroughly enjoys supporting the brand. The bmobile team has noticed as well, and always take the opportunity to include Lindsay in customer activations in return for his promotion of the brand on all his social media channels. Lindsay advises the young people of Trinidad and Tobago to “stay focused and find your passion in life. Once you have found this, just go for it!”. Great advice Lindsay! Keep on achieving!

Achieve External Success.Achieve Internal Success.Log on to www.achievett.org for a more comprehensive explanation and guide on how to become an Achiever.

Steps to Achieve Any Goal !



Angelo Bissessarsingh has been obsessed with the past for much of his 31 years, in particular,

the history of Trinidad and Tobago. This passion has led to the publishing of his book, Walking with the Ancestors – The Historical Cemeteries of Trinidad. Where Angelo delves into his findings from his many haunts in our cemeteries here in Trinidad and Tobago, as a result, he is a believer that the soul of our nation’s legacy can truly be found in those who have left us.

The book features stories from the residents of the true stars of the book namely, the Colonial Cemetery within the Botanical Gardena and Lapeyrouse Cemetery in Port of Spain, Paradise Cemetery in San Fernando and the Elder’s Cemetery in Tunapuna - to name

a few. These tales look at the personal lives and the families of those laid to rest in these spots, from their political affiliations to the sordid details of the matters of the heart and as result, truly give context to the history of our nation.

History is definitely Angelo’s passion and this is illuminated not only by his publishing of the book, but also his Facebook page that boasts a community of almost five thousand. Here Angelo shares photographs from his extensive collections as well as his knowledge of our twin island Republic’s past. He also writes a weekly column in the Sunday Guardian, Back in Times. Keep up the good work Angelo! It is always important for us as a nation to appreciate and preserve our history.

PRESERVING OUR HISTORYAchieve Mag 2.indd 17 3/12/15 3:26 PM


INDEPENDENCE PHOTO COMPETITION WINNERS

Malik Kelly - “I like Trinidad and Tobago because of its beautiful flora. #achievett”

Roger Seepersad

“I shot this over the Caroni Bird Sanctuary. I love Trinidad and Tobago because of how modern, yet eco-friendly the country is. You can move from the city to the swamp in a couple minutes! #achievett”

Aleena Ali - “My picture shows that even empty spaces in our country are filled with beauty. Like our versatile and varied people, what may appear nondescript at first, can end up flourishing with each layer that is revealed. #achievett”



Sandra Forson

“I LOVE Trinidad and Tobago because this is where I gave birth to my loving son, Devanai. He represents color, life, smiles, creativity, energy, sensitivity, innocence and a richness only found in the land of Calypso and Soca, Heritage and family. He is my Trinbago.” #Achievett

OUR FAVOURITE We are pleased to share the Top 3 Winners of our first ever Achieve Photo competition. The entrants each had to share a photo that displayed why they love Trinidad and Tobago, along with a fifty-word or less explanation. Entries came in from across the country and the Top 3 with the most Likes on our Facebook Page won cash prizes from our Sponsors.

As we celebrate the release of our First Issue of our Achieve Catalog, we are already preparing for our next issue which, will be available soon. There were so many entries, we thought of another photo that deserved a special mention. Thank you Sandra!



When you hear the name Halcian Pierre, you think journalist, illustrator, actress, copywriter, chef, comedienne and much

more. Art for Halcian has always been a source of passion. Anyone who knows Halcian, can attest that she just exudes creativity and her recent achievement is a shining example of this.

Halcian recently became a member of The Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago, and participated in her first members’ exhibition.

Halcian also does work by commission and has several pieces for sale.

Halcian Pierre was born in Woodbrook and considers herself a multitalented soul. An artist (with a great love of cooking), the

former St Francois Girls College alumna gained recognition for her cartoon series “Yuh is a True Trini if…” inspired by Ilka Hilton-Clarke, creator of the “Caribbean Chile” website. Prior to this, Pierre was a Reserve soldier in the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, and also a student at the John S. Donaldson Technical Institute. Her prolific writing skills have enabled her to enjoy stints both as a copywriter and a journalist. Presently, she is an Associate Editor and Food Writer at the Trinidad Guardian’s Special Publications Unit, and also acts, does voiceovers and illustrates children’s books. She also has a daughter in her late 20s, who is closely following in her mother’s art and media footsteps.

In her words, she is an “artist on a mission” and we salute you for your achievements to date Halcian!

ARTIST ON A MISSIONAchieve Mag 2.indd 20 3/12/15 3:26 PM


Here at Achieve, we consider any business or idea that supports and promotes Trinidad and Tobago, an achievement it itself and ESPjr definately gets

our nod of approval. Since 2011, ESPjr led by mastermind and award-winning graphic designer, Jeunanne Atkins, has proven its commitment to fostering the next generation through the “telling of authentic Caribbean stories”.ESPjr is an original brand, developed by Jeunanne, that features “smile-filled, sunshiny, Caribbean-themed fun for children everywhere.” Quite simply, ESPjr is passionate about Caribbean stories.

“Our mission is to use play-based learning to encourage and engage children as they discover the diverse environment, festivals, culture, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean”.

ESPjr’s first production is a series of screen - printed tshirts, features endangered leatherback turtles through childlike eyes. Bold colours, strong graphics, and a confident ‘Caribbeanness’ make this line of clothing for children – from newborns to nine year olds – particularly eye-catching. Simple, contemporary designs – with the trademarked taglines “Mini Trini” and

“Tobago Love” – carry big messages, giving adults the opportunity to let the children in their life make a statement. The brand strives to make children conscious of the need to protect our endangered species, and nurture their pride in cherishing the environment. In a small way, it would be a learning experience for the children who wear these garments that could ultimately lead to them contributing to a better Caribbean.

Jeunanne is incredibly proud of her latest release, ESPjr’s children book, “Ready. Set...Hatch”, which, through her own illustration, documents the journey of a family of baby leatherback turtles from their eggs to the see. With a passion for children and the environment, Jeunanne hopes that her book will entertain and educate children around the world to on of T&T’s treasures - the leatherback turtle.

Keep up the good work, Jeunanne. Your achievements are inspiring !

READY...SET...HATCHAchieve Mag 2.indd 21 3/12/15 3:26 PM


Patrice Millien has definitely earned her stripes as an Achiever through her talents as an entrepreneur and her passion for showcasing talent. Her latest endeavour, #UNCOVERED, is an initiative designed to showcase budding

talent from Trinidad and Tobago across a variety of creative fields using several forms of media.

UNCOVERED The Web Series uses the online sphere to highlight creative talent through musical visuals of acoustic renditions of popular soca selections. These productions incorporate a range of local creative professionals including vocalists, instrumentalists, songwriters, arrangers, videographers, directors, editors, music producers, sound engineers, make up artists, production assistants and social media correspondents to name a few. They all work under the administration of Patrice and her company, A Millien Concepts, to bring the projects to life.

Episodes are released on a weekly basis on the A Millien Concepts You Tube Channel. The project will culminate with the finale, the UNCOVERED Live Show which took place at Fiesta Plaza, Movie Towne, Port of Spain in August.

Young talent in Trinidad and Tobago depend on achievers like you, Patrice! Keep up the good work!

UNCOVERING LOCAL TALENT



Imagine being accidentally doused with hot oil from a burger stand on a night you planned to have a great time with friends. Imagine being rushed to Westshore Medical with first degree burns. Imagine not being able to walk for 16

weeks.

This was the story of Arvinder Rampersad back in December 2011 outside the popular 51o Nightclub. Arvinder has always had a passion for throwing party events, but when this incident occurred, he was bed ridden and unable to do what he loved most. At Westshore Medical that night, there was no gauze available for other patients. All stocks

were used for the burns about Arvinder’s body.

Upon recuperating, Arvinder set out to assist his father in paying off the expensive medical bills. He approached 51o Nightclub to host a charity event entitled, “Celebrate Life”. The event did extremely well, and because of its success, Arvinder was invited to join the promotional committee of the Nightclub.

During his two years on the committee, Arvinder continued to host his own independent events. “Cosmo” for example, is a cocktail event series that is held at different entertainment locations throughout Trinidad. “I tapped into a niche. At

first the party starts off as a New York styled cocktail event, but then transforms into the party atmosphere that we all know and love.”

Arvinder revealed to AchieveTT that this is his full time career. “Trinidad and Tobago is one of the most social places in the world. The Party Events industry can be successfully pursued with positive thinking, a love for what you do and the right will power” said Arvinder encouragingly.

He is truly an Achiever that will make Trinidad and Tobago proud for several years to come.

Enthusiasm for EVENTS!



At the young age of nine, Kareena Boodram certainly has a way with words and proved that recently, when she entered an Essay Competition hosted by the Penal/

Debe City Corporation. A Standard Two student of Penal Rock Road Presbyterian School, Kareena selected one of the three topics on offer by the competition and

submitted her piece. Her topic, which she chose with the help of her teacher, was: “Sport can Uplight the Youths in our Community”.

On submitting her completed essay to her teacher, the quality of Kareena’s words stood out and her essay was selected to represent her school in the PDCC’s competition. This, in itself, was an achievement for Kareena. Little did she know, her

AIMING HIGH WITH HER WORDS

essay would go on to secure top marks and emerge in first place of her chosen category.With cricket and football being her favorite

sports, Kareena believes that sport is an outlet that will increase positivity in the community, especially for young people. “Through commitment and practice, youths who engage in sports can develop proper skills. They can represent the country at the highest level and make us proud.” writes Kareena. “Sport can keep our youths from bad company and a life of crime,” she continues.

Congratulations on your award-winning essay, Kareena and keep up the good work.

Share your #achievett stories with us and we will share them here, as together, we achieve!



Tyker does Theatre!

Tyker Giselle loves theatre! Her passion for performance, production and costuming has always been a part of her.

She has worked with the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development to stimulate the minds of children towards self improvement and self empowerment. She considers working with children a gift and admits that she has learnt a multitude of lessons from them. Tyker has also worked with the Ministry of Education in order to evolve the current curriculum to include theatre at primary school level.

At just 22 years of age, Tyker now focuses her energy on Educative Theatre and has made milestones in her field.

The root of Tyker’s effervescent personality began to show when AcheiveTT asked about her involvement with HIV and youths. She has done work through “PSI Caribbean” and “S Concepts”, two organisations that focus on the prevention of HIV. Tyker uses her theatrical craft to educate everyone on these issues. Her passion for this stemmed mostly from what was occurring around her as a youth, leading to decision to dedicate her time

and efforts to changing the mindset of citizens as it relates to HIV.

Tyker is most known for her performance work on Gayelle Television in the popular local series “Seedrink”. She has also done modeling for brands such as Radical Designs and Heather Jones at Fashion Week T&T. She intends to revisit the modeling world to work with male models to create and expand their opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago.

In rounding off her interview with AcheiveTT, Tyker made sure to leave these words for our readers “Be open to learning. Improve your craft and yourself. Improving yourself would allow you to be open to learning. They both work hand in hand”. Achieve TT wishes Tyker all the best in her future endeavours.

Tyker Giselle as ‘Pasty’ from the local series, Seedrink Photo Credit, Cornelius Hector

Tyker Giselle and her work with S Concepts. Photo Credit S Concepts



Due to our hectic lifestyles so many of us have lost sight of the importance of nutrition and overall well being. Market

Movers owned by, David Thomas and Rachel Renie, is committed to providing a service that ensures you have your local fruits and vegetables not only in your diet, but delivered straight to your door. The story of Market Movers is the realization of David’s dream, brought to life by the convergence of agriculture and the latest technology.

David’s journey began with his passion for food and his meticulous search for the best and most natural ingredients. This led to him delving into agriculture so as to ensure he got exactly what he wanted. This grew to selling crops and now Market Movers is one of the few agricultural companies in Trinidad and Tobago using e-commerce, allowing you to order online with the

goods delivered to your door. Their product catalogue is vast, including fruits and vegetables, dairy and eggs, meats and poultry as well as household items and gifts. All items are carefully detailed on the website: www.dmarketmovers.com where customers can complete their order and pay via credit card or cash on delivery. Market Movers also works closely with corporate clients keen to keep their employees healthy through wellbeing initiatives. “We supply fresh fruit as well as fruit and vegetable juices to offices as a group order,.” says David.

Market Movers is also committed to spreading the word about health and wellbeing through its growing online community via Facebook and blog. This is definitely an achievement and an inspiration, as David and Rachel are committed to keeping Trinidad and Tobago healthy using technology to get the job done. Keep up the good work!

KEEPING T&T HEALTHY



Twenty-seven year old Jessie Mcbarrow is a singer, songwriter, pianist and producer. He is a final year student

at the University of Trinidad and Tobago(UTT) where he is currently pursuing his Diploma in Musical Performance.

“Jwave,” as he is known on stage, is motivated to achieve because he

believes that music defines his life’s purpose. Jwave entertained hundreds at his first sold out crowd at the National Academy for the Performing Arts in May 2013. He stated that the response from the audience was indescribable.

Jwave hosted his second concert in August 2014 The concert event titled “If we love” aimed to spread feelings of same to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as we celebrate our independence.

Jwave’s music is built on spirituality with elements of jazz, reggae and pop all infused into his compositions. In his final words with AchieveTT, Jwave wanted to give some advice to our Achievers, “If you know what you are doing is for you, give it 100%”

JWAVE: Ready to make a Smash with Music!

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Javaka Moore is definitely flying the Trinidad and Tobago flag high in the field of Medicine More specifically, Dr. Javaka Moore runs an Obstetrics and

Gynecology clinic, Moore and Associates, in the United States, with three offices in Maryland. Offering a host of premium health services for women including health care during pregnancy, prenatal care, vaginal or cesarean delivery and postpartum care, Javaka attended Presentation College, San Fernando, Howard University and the College of Medicine respectively.

Apart from health care itself, Moore and Associates is passionate about the provision of patient education in three main areas namely pregnancy, postpartum and gynecology and provides in depth information on its website and through direct consultations.

Javaka hopes to one day open similar facilities in Trinidad and Tobago with a view to contributing to the overall health of women and children. Keep up the good work Javaka!

PASSIONATE ABOUT HEALTH CARE



Sophia Mustapha started dancing at age 9, having been inspired by her mother. As a child, she mimicked dance moves from the Indian Variety programme and the Sunday Special Indian Movies on local

television. “My mom used to encourage me to watch while she cooked lunch and would tell me the names of the movie stars and which were her favourite songs,” reminisces Sophie.

Sophie’s passion for dance led her to join the Desh Premee Dance Group, lead by Randy Dhanesar. We danced and competed throughout Trinidad on numerous occasions, even the popular Indian Cultural Pageant, Mastana Bahar, Rafi’s Valentine’s Show, and even Indian Variety where I was inspired as a child.

At the age of eighteen, Sophie formed the Nirvana Dance Company, where she was not only the Leader and Choreographer, but also the Artistic Director. “My passion was now my profession. We performed for charitable foundations, dignitaries and weddings around the country. We topped in the Mastana Bahar programme, as well as the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy competition with the help of our sponsors Doc’s Engineering, Brand Source and Courts Trinidad Limited. We also did guest appearances for top artistes in the annual Chutney Brass and the Chutney Soca Monarch hosted, Randy Glasgow and George Singh.’

Sophie teaches throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

Now a well-established dance company, with experience in Bollywood, Traditional Indian, African, Folk and Bhangra, Nirvana has performed in New York, Canada, Miami and Guyana. The two biggest achievements are dancing for our Honourable Prime Minister at her event at the Aranguez savannah, where I had fifty (50) members on stage to her victory song “Jai Ho”. The other was when I was chosen by Rafi Mohammed to represent Trinidad and Tobago in India. These two were experiences of a lifetime.”

“I feel so blessed and ecstatic when I’m with my students on and off stage, because in each and every one of them I see a little of me and I feel honoured to be and inspiration in their lives. So to all the youths out there remember, the sky is the limit and whatever your mind can conceive it can achieve!”

Keep on dancing, Sophia!

INSPIRED BY DANCEAchieve Mag 2.indd 29 3/12/15 3:26 PM


Caribbean restaurants have been popping up internationally for years, exposing our cuisine to the world. Renowned Trinidadian chef, Hasan De Four, is the mastermind behind the

culinary excellence of Singapore’s latest Caribbean restaurant, Lime House Deli.

Lime House delivers a whole new dining experience to Singapore with a menu full of delicious Caribbean dishes, both traditional and fine dining. The menu has been created by Hasan and highlights include appetizers such as Slipper Lobster Cocktail and Caribbean Fish Cakes. Main courses that will whet your appetite include Curry Goat served with coconut rice and peas and plantain batons, Baby Back Ribs with a Trinidad BBQ sauce, Red Snapper Escovitch and the

famous Jerk Chicken, originally from Jamaica. Hasan is a chef with a reputation spanning from Trinidad to the UK and now Singapore. Born and bred in Trinidad, he followed his dream when he moved to London and received formal training from the same chefs who mentored Jamie Oliver. He first worked at the renowned Caribbean restaurant, Cottons in London (Caribbean Restaurant of the Year 2006 & 2007) before helping to launch, as executive chef, Mustik in the heart of the capital’s financial district. There, his Caribbean menu received excellent reviews from the national press, including The Daily Mail and The Times. In 2009, he accompanied Michelin Star Chef Gary Rhodes on his television series ‘Rhodes across the Caribbean’ and in 2011 Hasan hosted his own TV series ‘Country Cooking’ on Tempo Networks, which boasts an audience of over 3.5 million across

the Caribbean and U.S. More recently, Hasan has appeared with the Hairy Bikers on BBC. “The concept for the Caribbean Deli is to create a Tropical Oasis showcasing the quick, easy convenient experience of Caribbean food. We are bringing the true authenticity of Caribbean food to the typical sandwich salad concepts that are now internationally the food of City workers.” says Hasan. “To add to this experience we intend to introduce Singapore to some of the classics like Trinidadian roti wraps (Indian flat bread) filled with curry goat, chicken or vegetables, Jamaican Patties (similar to the local curry puffs) Fry bakes (Caribbean fry bread) with various fillings like jerk chicken, citrus marinated fry fish fillet.

This is certainly an achievement to add to your list, Hasan. Keep up the good work!

THE LIME IS NOW IN THE EASTAchieve Mag 2.indd 30 3/12/15 3:26 PM


Inge Schüler began her journey with music from her toddler years - from age three to be exact. First there were piano lessons and then violin lessons followed by Inge spending

her later teenaged years teaching the violin. Inge’s bond with music was steady and clearly ready to stand the test of time.

Half Trinidadian, half German, Inge, who grew up in Mt. Lambert, has followed in family’s footsteps having sung in the Lydians as did her mother and grandfather. She enjoys being a member of several groups and organizations including the St. Augustine Chamber Orchestra and the National Sinfonia Orchestra. Inge’s academic career as just as music, as she holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Education. Her career highlights to date include performing with the Lydians for the United Kingdom’s Prince William and playing the National Anthem on the violin for the 2013 Soca Monarch finals.

Heralding the arts here in Trinidad and Tobago and she hopes through her own journey and experiences, she can work to ensure that a strong legacy in the arts is present for our youth. Keep up the good work, Inge!

A MELODIC JOURNEYAchieve Mag 2.indd 31 3/12/15 3:26 PM


on Policy, Education and Governance as it relates to Sustainable Development. Through Omar’s work, The Cropper Foundation was recognized by UNESCO as one of the key global organizations in Education for Sustainable Development. He has also had the opportunity to work with several international organizations including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Uganda Village Project, the Social Progress

Often described as creative and fun to work with, Omar Mohammed, 28, is known by others to be a ‘Big Thinker’. Omar has worked on quite a diverse portfolio of projects since starting his

professional life, all towards improving sustainable development in Trinidad and Tobago. After attaining his first degree in Environmental Natural Resources Management, Omar joined The Cropper Foundations, an organisation that focuses

A PASSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Index and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Nationally, he has had served as a member of the national CSR policy project board, the Trinidad and Tobago Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative and other bodies. Omar is now the National Coordinator of UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network here in Trinidad and Tobago, and is completing his MBA at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. In his advice to young people who would like to pursue a career in Environment or Development Studies, he explained that it is not as necessary to follow the traditional hard science route. Rather, find something that excites you, be it journalism, the arts, architecture, music etc. and translate the field of environment and development through that. In his last words to Achieve TT, Omar encouraged all to keep working to make our country better but never forget that we are part of a bigger global picture!



When AchieveTT sits down to do an interview, we usually ask persons if they consider themselves an achiever. For 19 year old Joseph O’Brien, his response was none

like we have ever received, “I am not an achiever, not yet anyway, I plan to be though. What I am, is a survivor!,” he stated proudly. Joseph is like any other young person and his big personality is at the forefront when you first

meet him. Joseph is not physically-able like most of us, but he has been able to overcome several challenges. His primary school days were the toughest as he was not allowed to play with the other kids because of the school’s administration. Today he enjoys playing football, basketball and swimming. Joseph is known for getting around on his skateboard. The notion to use it came from simply just seeing a friend ride around, and he wanted to try it as well.Most recently, Joseph was asked by the RBC Young Leaders Competition 2014 to speak to youths about his life experience. The video was nothing short of inspiring as Joseph encouraged his peers to accept themselves for who they are. The video can be viewed at the following url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT2XIOd3d1YCurrently, Joseph faces the challenge of C.A.P.E Examinations. He is studying French and Spanish in pursuit of his dream to become an Interpreter. By the following year, he will be learning Portuguese, German and Italian. “People face challenges every single day, some more than others. The important thing is that when you fall, you get up, try again or find another way to achieve your goals,” shared Joseph.

Achieve TT wishes Joseph all the best in his exams and encourages him to continue to inspire others!

Joseph O’Brien...The Survivor!

How to AchieveSuccess in justThoughts



Art has always been the passion of Fitzroy William Hoyte Jr. He believes that Art chose him at age 9 and 17 years later, he hasn’t looked back since. With 39 pieces under his belt,

Junior’s works can be viewed at the Trinidad and Tobago Art Society as well as the Y and 101 Art galleries locally, as well the University of Patoria in South Africa, where he has sold 15 pieces to date, after visiting the country in 2012 and 2013.

Born and raised in Barataria he considers his daughter, Safia, his biggest achievement. And like her father, she too has a passion for Art as well as dance and interior decorating. Junior has also earned his reputation in business as he serves as the Director of Trinidad and Tobago Art Society as well as Chairman for the Port of Spain Rotary Club.When asked about the challenges in the arteco-system, Junior sees the education system as being paramount to its survival here in T&T. From people’s perception of art to education options in the field, Junior believes the lack of appreciation stems from less Art education taught in Schools.

“Artists are the eyes, ears and voice of society, and will be the change in our society. One must explore, research, travel and have courage to think outside the box!” This is Junior’s message to our readers, especially the youth.

“Keep creating good around you!”Fr Private viewings email: fhoyteartgmail.com

FOR THE LOVE OF ARTAchieve Mag 2.indd 34 3/12/15 3:26 PM


Achievements don’t always happen on the first try. Always plan the best means possible of attaining your goal. You must also be able learn

from your mistakes made in attaining your goal, so you can determine the path to success. One must be smart, determined and never let failure sway you from your goal. That being said, I try my best to be an Achiever.” These are the words of the talented guitarist, Aaron LowChewTung. Aaron has gained a wealth of experience performing with many young notable vocalists across the entertainment landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Most recently, he performed with his band Halogen Sunset on the web series A Millien Concepts hosted by Patrice Millien. When he is not strumming away on his guitar, Aaron enjoys reading books, but admits to AchieveTT that he barely has time to read them. These days he enjoys spending as much time as possible near the ocean or just simply doing nothing with his spare time. He describes himself as dedicated, passionate and eccentric. He has been playing guitar since the age of 14, and has been doing it professionally for the past two years. His biggest accomplishment to date is completing his Bachelors of Fine Arts at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. He also had the opportunity to play alongside calypso veteran, Lord

Relator. In his final words to AchieveTT, he left this advice for our fellow readers. “Always stay true to yourself! You can outsmart others, but never yourself!”

A PASSION FOR MUSIC

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Documents

Achieve TT Magazine Issue# 1