Father Of A Community

Shepherd of 600 members and father of a community, Pastor Benjamin Agard’s influence is seen and felt strongly in the Morvant Laventille area. Despite being called “crazy” and questioned for even considering to bring change to this community, Pastor Agard was unhesitant in his approach and immediately followed the direction of God.

His gentle and compassionate disposition can be attributed to his humble beginnings. Benjamin Agard was born into a large family in the small village of Coromandel in Cedros. Poverty was one of his major challenges growing up, and he recalled having to walk over three miles to get to school and using fig leaves to shelter when the rain would fall.

However, at a tender age Pastor Agard was introduced to Christ, and that was when his entire life changed.  After gaining 5 O’level passes, he went on to Bible school and in 1980 began full-time ministry at the Laventille Open Bible Church. Prior to becoming a pastor in 1984, he served in the capacity as a musician, youth leader and assistant pastor.   

After 12 years as the senior pastor of Open Bible, he then became the pastor of Church on the Rock in Morvant. At the time, murders were rampant and many questioned his judgment but he believed that God had sent him there to bring change. Pastor Agard immediately put his hands to the plow and began  establishing relationships with members of the community. 

Pastor Agard’s work with the youth took flight after he was robbed . “I was held up at gunpoint, and my car was stolen , when the guy was driving away with the car, the spirit of the Lord  spoke to me and told me that if we don’t do something about the young people, they will rise up and kill us…”  he recalled. Since then he has started a children’s ministry, where and the word of God is taught. These sessions take place in homes or even police stations, anywhere young minds could be reached.

Due to the intervention of the church many young men who were once involved in gangs and drugs turned their lives over to Christ. “There are some young men now that would tell you that if Jesus Christ didn’t come into their lives they would’ve been dead, because of the life they were involved in and the friends they kept " Pastor Agard said. Since the church has intervened in the community, the murder rate drastically decreased, and Pastor Agard gives all the glory to God.

Shau D'eau is another way in which the church engages young men. Shau D'eau is an intervention program where the church carries a group of young men to a beach resort for a weekend, during the Easter vacation. The young men participate in counselling sessions, prayer and worship. They are even taught how to fish and hunt. Most importantly, however, they are shown how to demonstrate brotherly love, one to another.

Pastor Agard’s daughter placed first in  mathematics in the Caribbean, even though she was told that she couldn’t do math by her teacher. This brought to his attention the importance of education. Inspired by this, he began to challenge young people to excel academically. He recalled that there were young people who when they first started attending the church, didn’t believe that they had any hope of becoming anything at all, but they are now police and army officers.

Pastor Agard encourages young people who feel hopeless always to believe in themselves. “You  must never give up on yourself , you must always believe that good things can come out of Laventille” Pastor Agard even drew reference to a young woman who grew up in Morvant and place first in the world for in the field of accounting.

The church also offers counselling to families, married couples and for those hurting as a result of violence in the area.

The church also has a homework centre that provides educational assistance and demonstrating true community spirit, it has also opted to provide housing for the Lower Morvant Government School.

However, Pastor Agard believes that the entire Body of  Christ nationwide could do a lot more “ I feel that the church can be a little more involved in communities and let people know that we care… it doesn’t matter to people how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Art Connect In Laventille

Wendell Mc Shine admires the painting inspired by the students of Success Laventillle. This wall is located opposite the Success Laventille School and  it was donated to them by Coconut Growers Association (CGA). 

The Art Connect program was implemented in the Success Laventille Secondary School and the entire curriculum was taught by the talented Wendell Mc Shine, who is a local artist based in Mexico. 

Wendell Mc Shine

Students were engaged in making art and were taught how to express themselves freely through newfound mediums. This is a hands-on arts project designed to provide the students with contemporary art skills, basic concepts of animation and knowledge of urban arts, while offering an opportunity to express their inner voice and talents. This took place inside their classrooms and through outdoor activities.

The project culminated with a final community mural using the out door wall donated by CGA Ltd. as a canvas.

Spanish film Director Miquel Galofre documented the process and was able to capture the genuine transformation of these children. We can witness their fears and hopelessness at the onset of the project. 

"I can't speak freely and I don't know why" One girl says.

Here are the video documentaries:

                                          

                                          

                                         

DELTON FRANK: Dance Extrordinaire, From Laventille to Founding member of ELLE NYTT

Browsing through my facebook feeds and came across a video that my friend shared, to my surprise she was starring on the STEVE HARVEY show. Shout out to Rae-ann Cabralis. After watching her do her thang! (she got amazing skills by the way). I saw that she thanked "Delton Frank"

 Cabrilis: "Special thanks to Delton Frank, who took d act from jus tricks n made into a beautiful number" .

 As we all get sometimes 'curious' I thought who is this Delton Frank?  I immediately clicked on his name, and DAM! there it was "FROM LAVENTILLE"

So I google Delton Frank and this is what I found.
      
Delton Frank is currently based in Toronto. He started dancing in 1988
 with the North West Laventille Cultural Movement


Delton won best male dancer of Trinidad and Tobago in 1996, 1997 and 1999 – 2000, at the Prime Minister‟s Best Village Trophy Competition.  He received an Award from the Laventille Steelband Committee for “Outstanding Contribution in the field of Culture.” He was the choreographer for the opening ceremony of Carifesta 2006, as well as for the national production.

He has toured Europe, North America and Canada extensively as well as the Caribbean. Delton was involved in the Cricket World Cup closing ceremony in Barbados with the Callaloo Company, and has choreographed for “The Road Make to Walk” – a musical tribute to the late Lord Kitchener.

He has also worked as Choreographer for the Dimanche Gras from 2007 – 2010.
“Delton is refreshing to the eyes, the most exciting dancer of his time, he made the show worth seeing.” Gabby Kamino of the Toronto Star News Papers.

Delton has been a founding member of Elle NYTT and continues to do choreography for the company. -"taken from Elle NYTT's website"


Oh yeh, remember that video I posted last week of the North West Laventille Cultural Movement ??,  he choreographed it as well, How ironic right?

Missed it Check it out: http://flowersbloomingthroughconcrete.blogspot.com/2013/11/best-village-50th-anniversary.html



Here are some more  videos he have choreographed:


 

En Route! Our 2013 Modern & Contemporary Dance Production featuring works by Delton Frank, Candice Ho Wong, Anika Marcelle, Megan Navarro and LaShaun Prescott

Clip from a 2007 totally local musical written & directed by Davlin Thomas... Music Director - Theron Shaw, Choreography - Delton Frank 

For more videos by ELLE TT

http://www.youtube.com/user/ElleNYTT

Best Village 50th Anniversary: Performance by Northwest Laventille Cultural Movement Dance Group.

(8) Best village!!!... Best village!!!... (8) WAW! 50 years. Yesterday evening I attended Best Village's 50th Anniversary Celebration in the Grand Stand at Queen's Park Savannah.

After I heard this advertised over the radio, two things caught my attention, firstly,Karene Asche and the Northwest Laventille Cultural Movement Dance group were performing, secondly, it was FREE! *don't judge me*  "How can I go wrong?"

Karene Asche, 27, Laventille
 Winner of the Calypso Monarch title 2011, winner of Junior Calypso Monarch Title on three occasions and winner of the political category in the Kaiso competition

Northwest Laventille Cultural Movement Dance Group

Unfortunately, I had to leave before Karene Asche's performance. However, the performance I captured of the Northwest Laventille Cultural Movement Dance Group was amazing! and I cant wait for you all to see it..


Enjoy!

Northwest Laventille also received a Basketball Trophy

Tewarie: Don't Stigmatise East Port of Spain

Hey everyone, I know it's been a while since I've posted. Things have been really hectic, I must apologize. However, I just stumbled upon a post from the Ministry of Planning's Facebook page, it's an Express article entitled "Don't Stigmatise East Port of Spain" fitting right?

 Minister of Planning Dr Bhoe Tewarie hit the nail on the head when he stated "I believe the glory days of East Port of Spain where the ‘Man with the Hammer’ described by David Rudder dwelt, where the first steelpan was tuned, where some of this country’s greatest artists and musicians hailed are not lost. I believe it still exists within all of you but is covered by the negative news we hear and see daily.” 

Here is the article:

PROGRAMME LAUNCH: Planning Minister Bhoe Tewarie gives a thumbs up at the launch of the Beetham Gardens Community Impact Centre along with Annabelle Davis, left, chairman of the East Port of Spain Development Company, and Arlene McComie, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Story Created: Oct 27, 2013 at 10:46 PM ECT

Story Updated: Oct 27, 2013 at 10:46 PM ECT 

The Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development Bhoe Tewarie said on Friday he believed the glory days of East Port of Spain as the place where the pan was first tuned have not been lost.
Tewarie was speaking at the launch of the Beetham Gardens Community Impact Centre which is a project of the East Port of Spain Development Company Limited.
Tewarie said, “I believe the glory days of East Port of Spain where the ‘Man with the Hammer’ described by David Rudder dwelt, where the first steelpan was tuned, where some of this country’s greatest artists and musicians hailed are not lost. I believe it still exists within all of you but is covered by the negative news we hear and see daily.” He also called on residents to “awaken” the power of East Port of Spain. 
Tewarie also said he felt the use of words such as at-risk, hotspots, dangerous were far from what he would use to describe the pockets of communities existing within East Port of Spain. 
“These words describe a few of the elements and individuals who show no concern for the lives of others and in many cases their own lives. It is because of the actions of the minority, entire communities live in fear, are stigmatised and in turn are feared. The true potential of residents and the communities are stymied and the full development potential is curtailed. Through the Community Impact Centres Government is playing a part to give citizens ownership of their communities. But the burden does not rest on the back of the government alone. You must play your part to stop the cycle of crime and poverty in your communities and, in your homes. It has to be a continued collaborative process,” he said. 
Tewarie said the establishment of the Community Impact Centres was aimed at dealing with the needs of the community in order to reduce the state of stress, conflict and trauma for its residents. 

The services provided by these centres include:

A trauma unit — staffed by a grief counsellor to examine and treat with the grief associated with loss through violent crimes, a behavioural change therapist to meet with and counsel persons who live within the community and are associated with gang warfare, prostitution, illegal drug trade and other types of behaviour and are really serious about making a change. 

A community broker — A professional trained in law and mediation who can walk through the community working alongside activists, counsellors and community custodians and who can meet with members of the community so as to document concerns which can be appropriately addressed by the State or respective government officials, this is particularly beneficial where there exists the potential for conflict. 

A health care professional — To treat with the health concerns of individual members of the community and to assist with community health issues.

An attorney at law — To provide legal advice (this post may be filled by rotating young practitioners together with legal aid attorneys) to assist with the formation and registering of companies. 

An accountant/ finance professional — To meet with members of the community to teach financial literacy, saving and the benefits of investing in appreciating assets, to instruct on the formation of cooperatives and other key areas for financial empowerment. 

Mentors — Persons willing to volunteer their time to work with young people in the community much like the partnership with mentorship programme of the ministry of National Security. The benefits of the mentor and big brother/ big sister initiatives are well document in other more mature jurisdictions.

A literacy professional — To assist persons who may have learning disabilities.

Sporting and life skills training — To promote sporting activities and life skills in the community.
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Straker Village Laventille ,A lesson in Caribbean Integration

Taken From TriniView.com

Straker Village Laventille

A lesson in Caribbean Integration

Mr. Straker 1907-2000

TriniView.com Reporters
December 25, 2004

Mr Nathaniel Straker was born on the island of St Vincent in 1907 and migrated to Trinidad where he lived for most of his adult life. A village, west of Fort Picton in the hills of Laventille, is named after him because of the contribution that he made to building the village. The Eastern Quarry and Jeremy Quarry are situated in Picton hill to the east and west of Fort Picton respectively. In the 1930s and 1940s these quarries were very active and employed a large number of people. Nathaniel Straker was employed at one of these quarries during the height of their operation, but he subsequently left this job and was later employed with a maintenance crew at White Hall. Many of his friends also migrated from St Vincent and worked at these quarries.

Trail towards Jeremy Quarry Photo: Christine

Employees of these quarries naturally attempted to find accommodation close to their work and many of them lived in the hills surrounding the quarries. Nathaniel Straker often used a footpath that led from Jeremy Quarry to visit his friends who lived higher up the hill. He noticed some land bordering Jeremy Quarry to the east, that was covered with bushes, and thought it was a nice place to build a house. He eventually built a small house on this spot and brought his wife from St Vincent to live with him. 

Christiana Robertson, a friend of Nathaniel Straker, was also born in St Vincent and migrated to Trinidad. In 1953 she was facing eviction from an apartment and explained her situation to Mr Straker who eventually invited her to build a house on the hill next to him. She agreed, and Mr Straker sourced materials and began erecting the structure. The land on which Mr Straker built his house belonged to the state, but other people were also claiming ownership of the land. When they observed that he was building another house on the land for his friend, a heated confrontation took place and Mr. Straker was chopped about the body several times. The state authorities were also informed about the new house that was being built and a demolition crew was sent to the site. They destroyed the partially built structure.

Christiana Robertson and Amelia Straker Photo: Christine

At this point Miss Robertson was still in need of a home. She observed that the demolition crews worked mainly during the week from Monday to Friday, so she decided to start rebuilding her house with the help of Mr Straker on a Friday evening. By Sunday evening she moved into the house, using sheets to cover the door and window openings as there was not enough time to attach completed doors and windows. The demolition crew appeared the next week with sledgehammers to break the house once again, but this time Miss Robertson was already occupying the house and she explained to them that she had no where else to go. In addition, the demolition crew observed that she was in the middle of her pregnancy, so good sense prevailed. The crew left. However, a few hours later the crew came back to the house and Miss Robertson thought this time she would not be spared. She went outside and noticed that the crew had pieces of galvanize and wood, and they proceeded to help her build doors and windows for her new house. That afternoon, after Mr Straker came from work, Miss Robertson explained what had happened during the day. They were both very relieved. From this beginning Miss Robertson worked and replaced this first structure with a more comfortable house. The history has remained in her heart, and a tremendous bond remains between her family and the Straker family. 

Straker Village Photo: Christine

Subsequently other families began building houses close to Mr Straker and the community expanded. Mr Straker was always willing to help his new neighbours construct their homes while he continued to improve and expand his own, transforming it from its original humble beginning. Mr Straker also had knowledge of herbal medicines and would freely share this with his neighbours. He took great pride in upkeeping his surroundings, and is best remembered for this. He would regularly clean around his house, the houses of his neighbours and the road leading to these houses. His favorite tools were a cutlass, a shovel and a broom. In his later years he got a job to clean the surroundings of a school in East Port of Spain and many more people were impressed with his work ethic and natural abilities. 

Joys of childhood Photo: Christine

Mr Straker remained active in the community throughout his years and participated in a successful petition to the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Eric Williams, to have title deeds conferred to members of the community. As the community grew, he and other members decided to build a community center. They pooled money and initiated other fund raising ventures. The community center was eventually constructed on a plot of land opposite to his house. 

Because of his prominence in the community, his house became a landmark and a reference point when giving directions. Using Mr Straker as a reference to navigate the area continued for many years until the whole community surrounding Mr Straker's house was formally called Straker Village.

Straker Village Road Photo: Christine

After many years of building the community, Nathaniel Straker died in the year 2000. Mr Reynold Murphy, a resident of Straker Village, said that he is proud to have known Mr Straker and claims he is continuing the legacy by personally ensuring that the surroundings of the village is kept clean. Approximately 50 years from the time Mr Straker, settled on the land, Straker Village is very different, with houses constructed where there was once only brush. Miss Robertson, one of the earliest Straker Village residents, laments the lack of historical links from the past to the present. Most newcomers have little or no knowledge of the history of the community. 

Nathaniel Straker's contribution took place despite the many immigration laws and passport restrictions that impede the free movement of ordinary Caribbean people among the islands. These immigration laws contribute to false ideas of superiority and inferiority. People living in the 'richer' islands assume they are better than those from the 'lesser' developed islands. Ordinary people from other Caribbean islands who attempt to settle in Trinidad are faced with some hostilities. There are many ordinary Caribbean people who have migrated to Trinidad and made valuable contributions to building this country. These contributions are not often highlighted, and many obstacles still remain with respect to the movement of Caribbean nationals among the islands.

Check out Straker Village Laventille's album at:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=130562 

GEN-EX God Sent, Touching Lives In Laventille

GEN-EX

Hey everyone, I'm excited to present to you an  Interview done with Genex! 

Amazing life changing story.