Devant Leads Ministry of Food Production Christmas Cheer Caravan
As we observe Christmas 2014 and even now look to the New Year – we draw strength from the positives of the year gone by with the hope of greater things for 2015. Although this festive season is viewed as the time for giving, from as small as a smile, to letting someone through even though you had the right of way or helping those less fortunate with their bills or groceries we encourage all our citizens to give to each other throughout the year – in a sense everyday becomes Christmas.
Our leadership styles have taken pattern from the ideal mould that is Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar – though much maligned and ill spoken by opposition propagandists, she has stood the test and continued her motherly displays of affection delivering
– Grocery hampers to mothers who didn’t know where their child’s next meal would come from;
– A simple toy to fixate the smile on a little child’s face – who may not understand the pain mommy and daddy go through to meet ends meet
As such, it has been our pleasure at the Ministry of Food Production to draw such motivation and tread the path outlined by our Prime Minister – in the establishment of the Ministry of Food Production’s Christmas Cheer Caravan under the patronage of Senator the Honorable Devant Maharaj. Coordinated by the Minister’s young team of Hershael Ramesar (23) and Enoch Kangoo (21) the Christmas Cheer Caravan was run in three phases:
1. Senator Maharaj was ably and thankfully supported by the 4000 odd staff members of the Ministry of Food Production, spanning the length and breadth of Trinidad, who donated grocery items which were made into over seventy – five (75) Christmas grocery hampers and donated to poor families- each of which was accompanied by a turkey, a bag of fruit (sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank) and a whole chicken.
2. Accompanied by his core staff, the Minister also visited Children’s homes along the East West Corridor – Starting on Monday 22nd Dec at the Casa de Corazon Children’s Home in Sangre Grande – Margret Kistowe Home in Malabar – St. Mary’s Home – along the Corridor and ended in Sea Lots on Tuesday Dec 23rd after the Caravan had brought smiles to hundreds of thankful Children. Of note was the visit to the St. Mary’s Home in Tacarigua, where accompanied by Mr. Hamlin Jailal – the Chairman of NIPDEC, a special announcement was made, seemingly delighting the children and staff alike, that the home had been approved for the necessary repairs and refurbishment, with work to start as early as January 2015.
3. In the first week of 2015 Senator Maharaj will be visiting a number of Senior Citizens Homes spending time with these invaluable individuals who have undoubtedly shaped our society – in a bid to thank them for their years of Patriotic Service and Dedication.
With 2015 touted as an election year, there is no doubt that most of Trinbago await the Prime Minister’s announcement of the much anticipated date -but as we await that day, your Minister of Food Production Senator Devant Maharaj along with his cabinet colleagues continue to act in the best interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, from Policy and Parliament to Pavement rest assured you can count on us. Finally we wish to thank the Board of Directors of the Agricultural Development Bank for the lovely fruit hampers and most of all the hard working staff of the Ministry of Food Production for their self-less donations in their gifts of joy to over seventy five families this Christmas – because as we all know, we can lose material possessions but memories of family last a lifetime.
On behalf of Senator the Honorable Devant Maharaj and our Family at the Ministry of Food Production we wish you Trinidad and Tobago a blessed and prosperous 2015 as we continue our mandate of PEOPLE CENTERED – PROGRESS DRIVEN – PERFORMANCE!
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Hershael Ramesar (Mr.)
Christmas Cheer Caravan Coordinator
Advisor to the Honorable Minister of Food Production – Senator Devant Maharaj.