Malachi , Me To We Mentoring

Against a backdrop of violence and trauma, Malachi is building a better future.

‘I feel very proud for making my own money, not asking my parents to buy anything for me… There are plenty boys my age holding guns and I’m very proud of myself for reaching 17 and not doing that or thinking like that.’

Malachi works as a trainee stonemason in Trinidad & Tobago. He enjoys the hands-on work and views it as a secure trade that will always be in demand. ‘Everyone wants their houses built, so I learn how to plaster wall, put up bricks, rub out walls,’ he explains.

Malachi is earning while he learns, and is justifiably proud to be making his own way in the world already. He grew up in a tough neighbourhood blighted by high rates of crime and violence, and has had to battle hard to overcome both the physical and psychological scars.

Trauma and recovery

During one school holiday, a traumatic night of bloodshed left several of his friends dead and Malachi himself wounded. When the new term started, Malachi was plagued by flashbacks of the incident and struggled to focus in class. Traumatised and grieving, he soon left school altogether.

But shortly before he dropped out, Malachi’s school had offered him a place on the Me To We mentoring programme. Aimed at supporting vulnerable young people at risk of underachieving, Me to We is delivered by our partner the Volunteer Center of Trinidad and Tobago. The programme consists of a year of weekly online one-to-one mentoring sessions, complemented by targeted practical support and some in-person activities.

Because the regular sessions are online, Malachi has been able to continue with the programme even after leaving school for good.  He has built a good relationship with his mentor, who has given him the chance to talk about what happened, and start to pick up the pieces.

‘I get to tell plenty about the accident and let off plenty on my mind,’ he says.

Building a future, brick by brick

As well as providing a listening ear to help him process his feelings, Malachi’s mentor has also helped him to work out ways to move forward with his life, guiding him as he navigates the daily trials of coming of age in a challenging environment, and supporting him to make positive decisions.

‘I does talk to him and tell him certain things going on my area and he will tell me how to deal with it,’ Malachi explains. ‘When I meet sir and talk to sir and sir talk to me, he tell me how to go about it and stuff, and from there it make a big change.’

Having taken his future into his own hands as an increasingly skilled mason, Malachi is now also learning mechanics and electrical installation. He is keen to encourage other young people to focus on their ambitions and take the steps to make them happen, without following others down paths that could be harmful.

‘You know what you for,’ he says. ‘Go about your dream.’