Twenty-Eight (28) young people were presented with certificates of participation for their involvement with the One Youth Alliance (OYA) Friendly Society at the Certificate Distribution Ceremony at the Indian Trail Community Centre, Rivulet Road, Couva on Saturday 11th March, 2023. The young men and women received certificates for successfully completing eight months of Basic First Aid, Camp Craft, Community Service and Environmental Conservational Projects. This event was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS).
“The impact that the OYA has had on my life cannot be overstated, from gaining experience in leading, to learning new skills and, of course the socialisation. I want to thank everyone involved for making this possible, and I hope to see the One Youth Alliance grow into something even better,” shared President, Youth Committee, One Youth Alliance Friendly Society – Malique Auguste at last Saturday’s event.
Auguste’s remarks were supported by Advisor to the Minister of Youth Development and National Service – Mr. Anthony Garcia, who delivered the Feature Address on behalf of Minister of Youth Development and National Service, the Honourable Foster Cummings. Mr. Garcia recounted, “In 2020, the MYDNS appointed a new Friendly Societies Advisory Council charged with the responsibility of encouraging the growth, development, improvement and expansion of these societies. The Council’s work also focuses on making the movement more attractive to the young people of Trinidad and Tobago.” Mr. Garcia commended the work of the group by adding, “The founding objective was to create an environment in which to empower young people in parts of the Couva community, through the delivery of a well-balanced, non-competitive programme of voluntary activities, aimed at encouraging personal growth and discovery, perseverance, self-reliance, responsibility and service to their community.”
Registrar of Friendly and Building Societies, Friendly Societies Division – Mr. Michael Alonzo Seales remarked, “As a nation, we have moved away from many of our valuable practices. Among many of us, there exists no spirit of cooperation and selflessness which we once cherished or held dear to our hearts. The One Youth Alliance Friendly Society has been working to re-establish these values; values such as love, care and respect for one another, self-reliance and responsibility for the persons in the community and by extension Trinidad and Tobago.”
Also present at the ceremony were President of the Couva/ Pt. Lisas Chamber of Commerce – Mr. Mukesh Ramsingh; Member of the Advisory Friendly Societies Council, MYDNS – Mr. Imtiaz Ali and President One Youth Alliance Friendly Society, Mr. Ravi Pancham.
The One Youth Alliance Friendly Society was established on 14th August, 2021, to empower the youths of the Couva community, through the delivery of a well-balanced, non-competitive programme of voluntary activities, which encourage personal growth and discovery, perseverance, self-reliance, responsibility and service to their community.
The work of the One Youth Alliance Friendly Society is supported by the Friendly Societies Division, a division of the MYDNS, which is responsible for the supervision and regulation of the operations of Societies registered under the Friendly Societies Act and Building Societies. The Friendly Societies Division is also responsible for the management and execution of projects and programmes for the Friendly Societies Division and the Friendly Societies Movement.
The Ministry of Youth Development and National Service remains committed to advancing the lives of our young people by providing support to such programmes and services that cater to their personal and professional development.
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