Mural Painting in Trinidad & Tobago for International Youth Day
A Day of Colour and Community
On the 12th of August, in celebration of International Youth Day, representatives from the Proman Foundation, the National Training Agency (NTA), and the British High Commission in Port of Spain gathered at Brazil Secondary School to paint a vibrant mural. The mural painting was a collaborative effort that included young people from the school’s Achieve club, highlighting the importance of community and partnership.
From Roots to Wings: The Inspiration Behind the Mural
The mural at Brazil Secondary School is more than just a piece of art; it is a celebration of the community’s identity and values. At the heart of the mural stands the Brazil nut tree, symbolizing the strong foundation and deep roots of the Brazil community in Trinidad and Tobago. On the left side, the steelpan and hummingbirds represent the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the area. The steelpan is a crucial part of the school’s extracurricular activities, while the hummingbirds symbolize the energy and liveliness of the locale. On the right, the Globe Club is depicted, showcasing the school’s commitment to community development and collaboration. The mural is adorned with the national colours of Trinidad and Tobago, emphasizing the dedication to the nation’s progress and the support from the National Training Agency and The King’s Trust International.
How the Achieve Programme Transforms Lives
The Achieve programme is designed to support young people who are struggling in their learning by providing them with the skills and confidence to engage and succeed in education. Through engaging and informal teaching in small groups, students learn about various topics, including social and life skills, active citizenship, and preparation for work.
Dr. Parris Searles, CEO of NTA, points out that it’s exactly those social skills such as “confidence, being able to take criticism, being able to think outside of the box” that she sees stakeholders and employers ask for. Dr. Searles describes Achieve as “a new way of looking at how [young people] learn,” and with NTA’s wealth of experience in the TVET sector it’s heartening to hear her say: “we know at NTA that this is going to be redounded into the absolute benefit of our society and we know that with the intervention of our other partners like Proman, that this is going to have lasting impact. Because every child that we touch is attached to a household that is attached to a community that is attached to our society.”
Since its inception in 2019, the programme has reached over 690 students and trained more than 100 teachers as Achieve Advisers. The programme’s success is largely due to the support from the school administration and Achieve Advisers, who play a crucial role in its seamless delivery at the school.
From Soloist to Team Player: Meet Aaliyah
One of the young people who have benefitted from the Achieve programme this year is Aaliyah, a talented musician who plays pan in two steel bands. ‘I always had a love for music,’ she explains. ‘When I started learning it was stressful but over time, in practising I got better.’ Just as Aaliyah has built up her musical skills through practice, she is now working on her leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
Aaliyah has always been happy to speak out and take the lead. But her willingness to speak was not always matched by a willingness to listen, making groupwork challenging. The Achieve programme, with its focus on hands-on learning in small groups, has given her the chance to boost her skills and practise different approaches.
Instead of simply issuing orders, Aaliyah has now learned to listen, delegate, influence and cooperate, turning her into a more effective leader – and a stronger team player. Her progress is evident in her higher scores in class group assessments, and in her role as a schoolhouse captain, where she is now better able to engage and persuade her schoolmates.
‘I’m trying to get better at leading, dealing with people of all personalities and interacting with people a little better,’ she explains. ‘I am one of the school leaders for my house so the skills have helped in leading and interacting with the house members. I actually could see myself elevating in life with these skills.’
Celebrating Our Partnership with Proman
Our partnership with Proman and the Proman Foundation has been instrumental in the success of our programmes in Trinidad and Tobago. Since 2022, Proman has supported and funded all our initiatives in country, allowing us to reach more students and provide them with the necessary resources to succeed. Since the partnership began, we have supported over 300 young people and worked with 50 teachers. We are deeply grateful for the Proman Foundation’s support and are excited about the potential to build on the work we’ve done together while enhancing the impact of our programmes. We look forward to strengthening and growing our partnership with the Proman Foundation in the coming years as we support young people in Trinidad and Tobago.