Sharing a Meal – Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government

January 15^th, 2018 Kent House, Maraval – Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Haji Kazim Hosein indicated that yesterday’s event entitled ‘Sharing a Meal with the Homeless’ touched over 90 persons who reside on the streets of San Fernando and surrounding areas.

Prior to the event, Minister Hosein along with the Mayor of San Fernando His Worship Alderman Junia Regrello and representatives from the Ministry walked through the streets of San Fernando to extend a personal invitation to homeless persons in the city and surrounding areas.

On Sunday, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government partnered with the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP), the San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), members of the business community, corporate volunteers and NGO groups to host a ‘Day of Care’ for the homeless persons. During the event, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Senator the Hon. Haji Kazim Hosein, Attorney General and MP for San Fernando West the Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, and Minister of Social Development and Family Services the Hon. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn alongside San Fernando Mayor Alderman Junia Regrello and Councillor for Springvale/Paradise Naigum Joseph, assisted volunteers of the NGO group ‘Revival of the Ummah’ with serving meals to the displaced persons.

Minister Haji Kazim Hosein assured members of the public that this provision will be a continuous one saying, “I have spoken with the Mayor of San Fernando and he has given me his word that this Centre will be used as an avenue for persons and groups to drop food, clothes and other basic necessities to help the homeless. At least twice for the week, the homeless can come and get food at the Centre and as awareness grows we expect this to become a day-to-day provision.”

Minister Hosein commended the spirit of volunteerism exuded by corporate volunteers, NGOs, religious organisations and members of the business communities and encouraged citizens to continue giving back saying, “I encourage persons to visit the Centre and drop of meals or even come and share a meal with the homeless because every effort counts and together we can make this initiative a continuous one that ensures that these displaced persons have a hot meal on a regular basis.” Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Hon. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn also expressed her Ministry’s commitment to providing support for the homeless population, laying out a phased plan that will incorporate the provision of shelter, rehabilitation and skills training.

The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government expresses heartfelt thanks to our volunteers from the San Fernando City Corporation, the San Fernando Volunteer Network, the Revival of the Ummah (ROU), the ASH-NAD Foundation, Civilian Conservation Corps, McClean Pro Hair Cutting System, Anayah’s Mediterranean Grill, Hideout Signs, SM Jaleel, Kiss Baking Company, Unilever, Nandlal’s & Sons, Detour Stores, John Corp, Millennium Printers, Mr. Clyde Mohammed, Lions Club of San Fernando and the Rotary Club of San Fernando.

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January 6^th, 2018, Kent House, Maraval – On Sunday 14^th January, 2018 the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government in collaboration with the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP), San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), Members of the Business Community, Corporate volunteers and NGO groups across Trinidad will be embarking on a community outreach event entitled, “Sharing a meal with the Homeless”.

As we commence the New Year with renewed hope and continued service to the people, Minister Haji Kazim Hosein encourages citizens to continue to showcase the spirit of volunteerism in their everyday activities saying, “Service to Mankind is Service to God; it is always heart-warming to see persons, especially the youth giving back to the elderly, homeless and persons who are less fortunate in our society. I encourage religious organisations, corporate volunteers and the younger generation to continue giving selflessly through the spirit of volunteerism as we work together to make a better country for all our citizens”. This initiative is one of the many collaborations that the Ministry is embarking on as we aim to empower the young people to adopt a compassionate approach to the less fortunate in society.

Thus far, we have received overwhelming support from the ASH-NAD foundation, Revival of the Ummah, Dumore Enterprises, JohnCorp, the San Fernando Volunteer Network (SFVN), San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), Kiss Baking Company, SM Jaleel, Unilever, Puff n’ Stuff, Nichossa, Naisa Foods as well as numerous citizens across the country.

Basic medical check-ups, barbering services, care packages, a hot bath in addition to sharing brunch with the homeless persons in San Fernando and environs are just some of the activities that we have planned for the ‘Day of Care’ on Sunday 14^th January at the San Fernando Centre for Displaced Persons (SFCDP) on Lady Hailes Avenue, San Fernando from 9:00am – 12:00pm..

As we aim to make this initiative a continuous one; we are calling on all NGOs, CBOs, corporate volunteers, religious organisations and volunteer groups to show their support in this venture by volunteering to share a meal with the homeless in your region during this New Year.

For more information on how you can assist in this event, feel free to contact the National Volunteer Network Coordinator, Mr. Matthew Kailah at 314-6481 or Ms. Leah Balkaran at 622-1669 (Ext. 3112).