Happy New Year T&T! Despite all the social and political pandemonium of the last year, I was pleasantly reminded of all that is still innocent and fresh in our country at the beginning of our school term.
During our first week back to school, my pupils were engaged in a lively discussion of national pride, as part of our VCCE programme. After our discussions they were asked to write what it means to be Trinbagonian. I would like to share one of the pieces in hope that as we forge forward in 2016 we do not forget this most potent message. Out of the mouth of babes, my faith and love was renewed.
Being Trinbagonian; A child’s
perspective
Being a Trinbagonian means a lot to me. It means living in a country that never had war. It means having every race living in just one city. It means knowing that if something were to happen in one island, the other would be defending both of them. It means having every creed and race find an equal place. Our country may be a drop of rain in the ocean, but Trinidad and Tobago is a wonderful twin island.
I show pride in my country in a lot of ways. Whenever I go abroad I always wear a Trinidadian jersey. I speak Trinbagonian creole, which is an accent we use. If I were to meet someone who has never been to Trinidad and Tobago before, I would thoroughly explain to them the different traditions and foods we got from different people from different countries like callaloo, doubles, roti, bake and shark and much more.
Needless to say, if an immigrant were to come to Trinidad and Tobago and meet me, they will know a lot, and when/if they go back to their country, they will spread the word.
Gabrielle Prince,
Standard Four,
The Athenian Presecondary School