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Port of Spain, Trinidad: Last evening’s public utterances by the Leader of the Opposition on the Heliconia Foundation’s Land Tenure Consultations for the benefit of Wallerfield famers has removed all doubt that she is an out of touch leader of the past.

The Foundation understands that many farmers within the Wallerfield community have been clamoring for help with long-standing land tenure issues and it hopes to provide some relief to them at this Saturday’s land tenure consultations. At these consultations, the Heliconia Foundation will offer the services of its adept and experienced team of attorneys and licensed land surveyors to the farmers of Wallerfield free of charge.

The leadership of the present and future understands that there is power in collaboration and, that cooperation makes it happen. The Foundation therefore counts as fortunate that the farming community of Wallerfield falls under the remit of MP Pennelope Beckles and MP Foster Cummings who understand that collaboration is central to good representation. The Foundation is delighted to collaborate with MP Beckles, MP Cummings and other stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries in the delivery of this service to the farming community of Wallerfield. It is the Heliconia’s position that the Leader of the Opposition was disingenuous to question why the MPs for Arima and La Horquetta/ Talparo would be present at a consultation in their own constituencies; sound representation demands nothing less of them.

Heliconia invites all Wallerfield farmers plagued with land tenure issues to attend the Land Tenure Consultations, this Saturday 14 May, 2022 at Solomon Temple Church, Tractor Pool Road, Wallerfield from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Farmers are encouraged to bring any supporting documents with them which they believe may be useful to our attorneys and licensed surveyors in the review of their cases.

While the Leader of the Opposition may still hold the view that this meaningful and necessary service to the Wallerfield farming community is “shameful” and “disgraceful” as she leads from her ivory tower in Philippine; the Heliconia Foundation assures the Wallerfield farmers that we see you, we hear you, we understand the challenges faced and how they impact you and we are here together with your Members of Parliament to provide support and guidance.

Farmers interested in more information can email us at heliconiafoundation@gmail.comor message us on our Heliconia Foundation Facebook / Instagram pages.

In closing, in a time where global leaders are calling for unity in the war against disinformation, it is disturbing that the Leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago would use her platform and influence to promote what was indeed a photoshopped picture and would lack the courage to apologize and admit that she had erred.

Heliconia Foundation Communications Office

Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP)

Website: www.heliconiafoundation.com

Email: heliconiafoundation@gmail.com

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“One only has to look around, not only at the rest of the world, but the rest of the region to see and to understand that there is no island in the world the size of Tobago or anything near it which is in a similar situation, or which indeed will accept the situation in which Tobago exists in relation to these constitutional and legislative arrangements.” Honourable A.N.R Robinson, House of Representatives, November 25, 1996.

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP) holds this opinion as self-evident, and it is against this backdrop and in keeping with its mandate of policy and politics, that the Executive of the HFYP appointed a special committee from its Legal and Communication Offices to spearhead research to responsibly develop a position paper on THE CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) (TOBAGO SELF-GOVERNMENT) BILL, 2020 (“the Bill”).

On June 29, 2021, at the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, a six (6) member delegation of the Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals, formally presented this position paper to the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Assemblyman Ancil Dennis (Hon.); Political Leader, PNM Tobago Council, Assemblyman Tracy Davidson- Celestine (Hon.) and Minister of Youth Development and National Service and PNM General Secretary, Foster Cummings (Hon.) at the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Despite this week’s setbacks by an obstructionist Opposition Bench, the Heliconia Foundation stands steadfast in its view that the benefits of this Bill will afford Tobagonians with greater economic flexibility, social and communal pride and a greater sense of trust and confidence in a Parliamentary body which is more representative of their particular needs and will further assist in the development of a unified Trinidad and Tobago.

The full text of the Foundation’s Opinion on THE CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) (TOBAGO SELF-GOVERNMENT) BILL, 2020 (“the Bill”) can be accessed here.

Heliconia Foundation Communications Office

Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP)

Website: www.heliconiafoundation.com

Email: heliconiacommunications@gmail.com

Port of Spain, Trinidad: The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP) has gifted one hundred and sixty (160) families across the country with Hampers of Hope. The Hampers of Hope initiative was launched on June 15 and is consistent with the Foundation’s commitment to people and philanthropy, both cornerstones of the Foundation, which have come to define its work over the years. Through this initiative, last Friday, families most in need in the communities of Diego Martin West, La Horquetta/Talparo, Sangre Grande, Arouca/Maloney and Point Fortin were the recipients of food and other essential supplies courtesy the HFYP.

Mr. Farai Hove Masaisai, HFYP President has pledged to explore more social outreach initiatives such as this one and encourages our nation’s citizens to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate in our society. Now, more than ever, the Foundation firmly believes that if we are to truly overcome the throes of the pandemic, we must do so together- each one, must help one.

Pictured: A cross-section of the Executive of the HFYP ahead of the Hampers of Hope distribution activities on June 18

Pictured: A cross-section of the Hampers of Hope to be distributed to families in need on June 18

Heliconia Foundation Communications Office

Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP)

Website: www.heliconiafoundation.com

Email: heliconiacommunications@gmail.com

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Port of Spain, Trinidad: The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP) has noted with grave concern the Leader of the Opposition’s recent commentary and while vehemently condemned, her public utterances come as no surprise to the Foundation. After all, it is this same Leader of the Opposition who said to her supporters that “there will be blood in the streets” if they were to be defeated at the polls.It is this same Leader of the Opposition, who in 2011 as Prime Minister reigned over a failed limited state of emergency in which the rights of many citizens were trampled. It is this same Leader of the Opposition who thwarted public health efforts with claims that “sunlight kills covid.” And it is this same Leader of the Opposition, who could not even awaken her humanity to wish the Honourable Prime Minister Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley well, when he was initially diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus earlier this year. It is within this context that last Saturday’s utterances by the Leader of the Opposition come as no surprise to the Foundation.

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals also takes serious objection to the Leader of the Opposition’s open attack on the credibility and efforts of our distinguished healthcare heroes and public servants- a most callous and disdainful act that should be overwhelmingly denounced by every citizen of this country. Our healthcare professionals have given yeoman’s service to country, have laboured tirelessly to keep us all safe during this pandemic and are undeserving of such disdain.  Ingratitude is the essence of vileness.

 

Such attacks on the credibility of our healthcare leaders and public servants are unwarranted and pose a dangerous threat to our nation’s public health efforts. The Foundation applauds our national healthcare heroes for their unwavering sacrifice and commitment and reposes full confidence in them and their ability to steer us to a place of safe landing.

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals also stands in solidarity with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, and the distinguished members of his government who, even in the height of great adversity continue to demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to securing the lives and livelihood of all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Undoubtedly, in  years ahead, the classrooms of history will favourably record Prime Minister Rowley for his courageous leadership of the vaccine equity agenda on the world stage and his government’s resilience in this time of crisis.

Unfortunately, it is abundantly clear to the Foundation that even in a time of great crisis, where the common enemy (COVID-19) is pilfering our lives and livelihoods, the Leader of the Opposition refuses to champion a renewed sense of national unity and to oppose constructively without burning down the house. This is a glaring reminder that the Opposition Party has selfishly dedicated itself to making this country ungovernable and should be wholly dismissed from the minds of the citizenry as an alternative government.

At this time in our country, we require constructive, responsible, solution-oriented contributors to the national discourse.  And so, in closing, as many of our parents would have taught us as children, we urge the Leader of the Opposition for the greater good of our country, “if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Heliconia Foundation Communications Office

Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP)

Website: www.heliconiafoundation.com

Email: heliconiacommunications@gmail.com

National expansion is on the horizon for the Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP). Following its highly successful membership campaign in Tobago on January 9, the Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals’ national expansion agenda continued with the launch of its Central Chapter in Couva, Trinidad this past Monday.

The Honourable Mr. Faris Al Rawi, Attorney General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, applauded the Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals’ on its national expansion plans and the launch of its Central Chapter. As the evening’s keynote speaker, the Attorney General reminded the Foundation that its “relevance is in the independence of its voice”.

HFYP Central Leadership Committee (L-R): Mr. Rahul Rampersad, Vice Chairman, Ms. Victoria Rattansingh, Chairman, Mr. Farai Masaisai, President of the Heliconia Foundation, Ms. Sharda Satram, Operations Officer, Honourable Mr. Faris Al Rawi, Attorney General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Maria Sawh, Secretary, Ms. Vithra Seereeram, Treasurer

The Heliconia Foundation’s adept and diversely talented Central Leadership Committee led by Ms. Victoria Rattansingh, were presented with their instruments of appointment by Mr. Farai Hove Masaisai, President of the Heliconia Foundation and Attorney at Law. Mr. Masaisai encouraged the new appointees to serve selflessly and to lend their voices to the national discourse. Mr. Masaisai intends in his term for the Foundation to cement itself as a national movement and so cited that the launch of a South Chapter, East Chapter and North Chapter would soon follow.

(L-R): HFYP VP Membership-Dr. Annalese Percy; VP Communications & Public Relations-Ms. Tenielle Tobias-Solomon; VP Legal-Mr. St. Clair O'Neil; Chairman Central Leadership Committee-Ms. Victoria Rattansingh; President-Mr. Farai Hove Masaisai; Attorney General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago-The Honourable Mr. Faris Al Rawi; VP Finance-Mr. Osei Benn; VP Marketing and Branding-Ms. Jenine Benjamin and VP Projects and Events-Mr. Johnson Smith.

In her maiden contribution, the newly minted Chairman of the Central Leadership Committee, Ms. Victoria Rattansingh said she was proud to lead the Heliconia Foundation’s Central Chapter and believed that the Heliconia Foundation will be the “vehicle that will transform, transfigure, and translate Central, Trinidad.”

Ms. Victoria Rattansingh, entrepreneur, and Master of Science candidate at the University of the West Indies is joined on the Foundation’s Central Leadership Committee by:

• Mr. Rahul Rampersad, Vice Chairman
• Ms. Maria Sawh, Secretary
• Ms. Vithra Seereeram, Treasurer
• Ms. Sharda Satram, Operations Officer

Heliconia Stands With Tobago

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP) started its year of philanthropy over this past weekend in the sister isle of Tobago as part of its strategic agenda to empower communities nationally through social outreach and volunteerism. 

Heliconia Leads with Virtual Pro-Bono Legal Clinics

On January 9, the Heliconia Foundation mobilized its professional network of expert attorney volunteers for the introduction of its flagship HFYP Pro-Bono Legal Clinic Series to the sister isle. Although, the Pro-Bono Legal Clinics are not new to the Foundation, it is the first time that the Foundation has provided citizens with virtual access to a powerful line-up of attorneys from the safety and comfort of their homes-this is a progressive step which has received glowing commendations from both attorney and citizen participants. As an inclusive organization though, and in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the THA’s Division of Health and Social Services; the Foundation still also received some interested persons who may have otherwise been unable to access the Foundation’s virtual facilities at the Canaan/ Bon- Accord Multi-Purpose Facility at Centre Street, Tobago.

Heliconia Helps 40 Families and 20 Students

Concurrently, the Heliconia Foundation gifted forty (40) families impacted by the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with a month’s supply of groceries while also donating twenty (20) Amazon Fire HD tablets to help deserving students in need with their remote learning activities following the launch of the new school term on January 4.

The Heliconia Foundation stands with Tobago and aspires to continue this impactful work in the sister isle through its progressive and talented Tobago Council led by Mr. Shomari Hector, Chairman of the HFYP Tobago Council and waits with great anticipation for the manifestation of the Council’s strategic initiatives for 2021 and beyond.

Ms. Vanessa Boyce- HFYP Policy Officer, Tobago Affairs manages the virtual rooms for the HFYP Pro-Bono Legal Clinic 

Mrs. Melanie Roberts-Radgman, HFYP Legal Officer- Tobago Affairs offers legal counsel to a member of the community

A cross-section of the HFYP Hampers and Amazon Fire Tablets distributed to deserving Tobagonian families and students in need 

Ms. Melissa James-Guy , PNM Candidate for Plymouth /Golden Lane receives hampers and tablets on behalf of her community from HFYP Tobago Council Chairman, Mr. Shomari Ajani Hector

If the will of the people is the will of God, the events that unfolded at Capitol Hill in Washington, USA yesterday were blasphemous. Yesterday, was an injurious assault on the will of more than 81 million American people who cast their votes for Biden-Harris legitimately defeating the Trump administration. Yesterday, was an unprecedented attack on the democracy of the United States of America. Yesterday, was the dangerous consequence of leadership left unchecked. Yesterday, must never be forgotten.

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP) lends its voice to the global discourse in expressing its great sadness at what must be described as a dark day of infamy in the world’s history. Yet, even amidst the despair, as a national organization, the Foundation believes that there are valuable lessons for our nation of Trinidad and Tobago which must be tabled at this time - now more than ever, we must rally together as a people despite our political allegiances to boldly guard our institutions of democracy without fear or favour, malice or ill-will; we must hold our leaders accountable and to a higher standard of responsibility and above all else, we must never allow the politics of the day to corrupt the sacredness of our nation’s democracy for to do so is to sacrilegiously stain the virtue of our liberty and sovereignty

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals (HFYP) has joined the global movement to end period poverty with its Gifts of Dignity- Feminine Hygiene initiative which involves giving women and girls access to feminine hygiene products such as sanitary pads, liners and tampons through philanthropic mobilization.

Period Poverty is “a global issue affecting women and girls who don’t have access to safe, hygienic sanitary products, and/or who are unable to manage their periods with dignity- in some cases, women and girls have limited access, leading to prolonged use of the same tampons or pads, which can cause infection.” (Action Aid 2020).

Globally, “about one in four people between 13 to 35 have reported that they have found it harder to manage their periods since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a survey done by WASH United, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), and UNICEF. According to this same survey, 47% of people who menstruate have found it more difficult to access menstrual supplies since the pandemic, says Ina Jurga, international coordinator for the Global Menstrual Hygiene Day.” (Alicia Napierkowski, 2020)

The Heliconia Foundation believes that we have a civic responsibility to ensure that our women and girls are protected from period poverty especially during a pandemic which on its own merit has contributed to grave economic hardship and has worsened the livelihood of many families and communities.

As a socially responsible and philanthropic organization, during the pandemic, the HFYP has contributed over 2500 feminine hygiene products to women and girls in communities across Trinidad and Tobago with the kind support of its members and corporate sponsors. More recently, in the month of December, the Foundation through the leadership of Ms. Marianne Fraser of its Women’s Arm and in collaboration with Mr. Hillan Morean, Deputy Mayor of Port of Spain, extended its Gifts of Dignity- Feminine Hygiene outreach to the St. Jude’s Home for Girls and the Bethlehem Girls R.C. The Foundation’s efforts were well-received by the St. Jude’s Home and the Bethlehem Girls R.C who commended the Foundation for its Gifts of Dignity and encouraged the continuation of its work in this area which was too often overlooked.

The Heliconia Foundation echoes the views of former UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Sanjay Wijesekera that “meeting the hygiene needs of all adolescent girls is a fundamental issue of human rights, dignity, and public health” and anticipates that this initiative will become one of the cornerstones of its philanthropy efforts alongside its pro-bono Medical and Legal Outreach Clinics. The HFYP endeavours to partner with other socially conscious and responsible persons and entities to expand the impact of its work in this area in 2021 and beyond. Interested parties are invited to email them at heliconiafoundation@gmail.com.

The Heliconia Foundation hosted a seminar on Human Trafficking at City Hall POS on 20th February 2018. 
The event was well attended and participants were informed of recent efforts made in T&T to deal with Human Trafficking as well as individual efforts they may make in their individual lives to reduce the risk.

The Heliconia Foundation for Young Professionals hosted its fourth Annual Christmas Charity Cocktail, “Mistletoe, Martinis and Charity”, on December 11 at the VAS Lounge, Port of Spain.

This charity event was geared towards generating funds for the foundation's Scholarship Trust Fund, which was established by trust deed and registered on January 28, 2015. 

The fund is dedicated to supporting and promoting the achievement of academic excellence by young people from vulnerable homes and communities and is funded by the efforts of the trustees, non-profit organisations, the Heliconia Foundation and the trust's supporters who share this mission.