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Adventures at Science Centre
THE
MAXIS arrive at the San Juan terminal. The children dash towards
them. They are so excited they scarcely think of their own
safety. At the National Science Centre, some students rush
to the computer, others walk with a blind man’s cane,
a few examine the exhibits looking for new one.
Miss Ayers, the drama teacher, arrives. Students are asked
to assemble to do some exercises. The children work in their
individual spaces and respond to the challenges set by the
teacher.
“You
are on a piece of ground,” says the teacher. “One
part is hard, the other is very soft. Yet another part is
slippery. You are moving from the hard part to the slippery
part.”
To prevent slipping, the students spread their legs apart.
Their hands are all over the place as they try to balance
themselves. There is no laughing as students remain in character.
This is exciting for me, even as an adult. The children learn
to listen, to concentrate, to experience movement and to love
it.
This Aranguez Junior Secondary PTA project was started one
year ago to entice students to love and understand science,
to broaden their horizons, to enhance personal growth and
to increase their circle of friends.
Between the ages of 11 and 15, the 40 regular students from
the East-West Corridor are mostly boys. So involving them
with other students their own age, from different backgrounds,
can only redound to the greater good of the society.
That this project generates a tremendous level of enthusiasm
can be gauged from the positive responses of the children
and their parents.
One parent says, “Every Friday evening, RMW reminds me
several times to wake him up the following morning to go to
the Science Centre.”
“There
are so many things you could learn,” says one student.
“You can learn about science, computers and now drama.
The science play is very exciting; but some of the boys can’t
do the dance as yet.”
The demand to attend the Science Centre grows fast. The maxis
are filled to capacity. All newcomers must wait a while.
Enormous praise and thanks must be given to Niherst for the
contribution that it is making to youth in science in T&T.
Maureen
Taylor-Ryan
Teacher
An inspiration to young people
THOSE
of us who know Adesh Samaroo on a personal level will know
that he is not an abuser of alcohol. We all indulge in this
habit at times but Adesh is not one who would jeopardise his
career, furthermore his life, or to even put anyone else’s
life in danger.
He has always inspired young people—and will continue
to do so upon his complete recovery—to pursue whatever
dream they have in sight. He is a role model to many young
minds.
I particularly remember being in the audience for one of his
grand performances. Adesh was just amazing—he took the
entire crowd and brought us to extreme heights of entertainment.
Emotionally appealing to young people at all times, he told
us about his struggle for success, constantly urging us never
to give up on our goals. He has a remarkable sense of appreciation
for all his accomplishments and the goals of others who may
be striving for greater heights.
It is heart-aching to know this virtuous friend is battling
for life, and I want to urge him and his family to never give
up, just like he never gave up on his struggle for success.
Adesh, you will forever be in my prayers and I am just one
of the many who will always love you and are praying for your
recovery.
Sunita
Jahgroo
Chaguanas
Get
signatures from top men first, women
Twice
recently, women in key positions in organisations in Trinidad
have jumped to condemn perceptions of activities by members
of Parliament, only to be overruled by their real leaders—men.
The first was the comments on the judicial fracas and the
Catholic Church siding with the Maha Sabha. This led to all
sorts of problems for Leela Ramdeen, and the archbishop going
in penitence to the Prime Minister to say he was sorry. Sorry
does not ease pain, although the Christian tradition of the
act of contrition is well known. Mercifully, the vilification
of Ramdeen has died down.
Then came Bridgemohan, speaking on behalf of Transparency
International; and her words are hardly out of her mouth,
her boss dissociates the organisation from her remarks. There
is no hue and cry from the Opposition of resign, resign!
This comment is not to be interpreted as a call for Bridgemohan
to do anything but reflect on her position.
Why did not one of the men step forward and say the same thing?
Were they, perhaps, not thinking it? Did they set her up to
be the fall person?
Sometimes women in public interface positions unwittingly
find themselves playing bad cop. They may be egged on in this
by others, who then get to play good cop, mouthful of apologies
and all. No sooner have they spoken than here comes the boss
on a fence-mending expedition, and the woman is left looking
like she opened her big mouth too soon.
Later, the guys might meet for drinks, and who do you suppose
would be the object of ridicule then? Not the guy who apologised,
not the original person being criticised, but the woman who
spoke. She can be dismissed with a shrug as in, you guys know
how women are. Pass the bottle.
I would suggest to all women in public interface positions
for organisations that when next they feel inclined to make
comments in public that purport to represent the organisation,
that they type out what they intend to say and get three signatures
of the top men on the document.
This would provide a cooling-off from potentially intemperate
statements, and if any is egging her on, only to come back
later and withdraw the remarks, apologise and make her lose
face, her having his signature and that of two others on the
document would cause everyone to pause.
When public women are humiliated by being made to take back
what they thought was a representative statement for their
group, all women in the workplace suffer, regardless of race
or political party.
Linda
Edwards
Via e-mail
Price
of Freedom
Criminals
no longer need the darkness of night,
People are being kidnapped in broad daylight
Citizens are not sure what they can do
The next victim could be anyone, even you.
One political leader promised to create civil disorder
To demonstrate to government his support and power.
The upsurge in this type of criminal activity
Was assumed by some to be a political strategy.
Kidnappers are demanding millions of dollars in payment
To release their victim in freedom from confinement.
Some kidnappings were by members of the family
Who wanted a share in the family money.
These crimes are causing the nation great anxiety.
Some of the victims don’t appear to be wealthy.
Many victims are members of the business community,
Sometimes they are children of the family.
When ransom is demanded for the victim’s release,
Such payments are not advised by the police.
But some families appear to ignore their advice
And negotiate with kidnappers to reduce the price.
It appears that money paid is an incentive
So the criminal activity seems to become lucrative.
This can be deduced from the increased activity
That seems to be happening with greater frequency.
Government agencies are trying to do their best,
Their strategies have produced a degree of success.
The public is gradually coming to the realisation,
Their help is needed to change the situation.
In trying to help the public must remember
That in crime fighting there could be danger.
Do not expose yourself to acts of violence,
Let your action be guided by common sense.
The government as usual will be held responsible
To solve societal problems and to minimise trouble.
Public action must be part of the strategy,
To help reduce crime levels in our society.
Some politicians are intent on dividing the society
And may see opportunity in the government inability
To effectively reduce the waste of human life,
That is ended through criminal activity and strife.
They join the chorus in blaming the government,
But they offer no solutions or constructive comment.
Their shortsightedness makes them unable to see,
That crime is destroying our peace and security.
Leslie
C Lewis
Marabella
Proof Govt not serious
The
reasons given by Adam Joseph for his resignation as head of
the Anti-Kidnapping Squad proves beyond a doubt that the Government
was never serious about combating the kidnapping scourge.
It had no intention of arresting the rampant abduction of
citizens, the vast majority of whom are East Indians.
While other arms of the Police Service with their fancy names,
especially the Riot Squad, were beefed up and adequately supplied
with technology and equipment, the AKS was left to operate
with antiquated equipment so that it could never make any
dent on the empire of the kidnapping kingpins, who are well
known to the Government.
The intention is quite clear: to instil fright in the the
East Indians so that they will flee in droves from this land
and thus ensure that the PNM will win all future elections
by sheer weight of numbers.
Let Manning, Hinds and Joseph deny that.
Sheena
Sookram
scarletangel@emailnote.com
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