Division 28:

Lieutenant Governor Leslie-Ann and Governor Gary meet with Canadian High Commissioner Karen McDonald at Canada House.

Trinidad and Tobago

Division 28, our Hummingbird Division, is made up of the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. These islands, the southern most in the Caribbean, lie only 11 km off the coast of Venezuela.

Trinidad, the larger and more industrialized of the two, is a mosaic of many cultures who arrived at and left their imprint on the island. This is the birthplace of the steel drum and of limbo. Trinidad can lay claim to one of the most colourful and imaginative Carnivals in all of the Caribbean. Music is everywhere. Downtown, Port of Spain, men and women sell DVDs (legit and not legit) from what seems like every street corner.

Kiwanian Barry Birbal attempts to fix his loose battery cable ... the second time.

Kiwanis is proud of our eight active clubs on the two islands. It was here, during at 2004 midwinter board meeting that our great District service project (to raise money to help fight HIV/Aids in the Caribbean) was born. Then Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Sam Rawlins, a leading researcher in the field, spoke passionately about the need and about what Kiwanians could do to help. It wasn't until our 2008 convention in Niagara Falls that LG Sam's vision became a Kiwanis reality. Today, Kiwanians are stepping up the to plate and doing what they can, in partnership with UNICEF, to rid the world of this scourge.

Julia and I flew into Port of Spain via St. Lucia late in the day. The next morning we were met by Lieutenant Governor Leslie-Ann Baxam and Kiwanian Barry Birbal. Together we met with the Canadian High Commissioner, Karen McDonald, at Canada House.

That afternoon we met with Kiwanis President Khamchand Janglee and members of the St. Helena Club. Kiwanians are doers - we all know that. This became self-evident at the St. Helena Club. They demonstrated their resourcefulness by showing off the library that they built and continue to manage. They demonstrated their initiative by showing us pictures of the Christmas event they hold annually; feeding and giving presents to more then 1,000 children. But it was their mechanical prowess that really impressed us.

A K-Kids member from the Pembroke Anglican School sings along with Just Julia.

That day, Kiwanian Barry was good enough to drive us from meeting to meeting. Everyone knows the frustration and embarrassment that can occur when your car breaks down on a busy highway. This can be especially infuriating when guests are with you. Guests such as your visiting Governor and First Lady. The embarrassment only gets worse it happens a second time the same day.

We were luck that our "second time" was while visiting the Kiwanis Club of St. Helena. It didn't take long for a battery booster and cables to be found. It didn't take long for President Khamchand to get us up, running and on our way. Yes, Kiwanians are doers.

Early the next morning we caught a ferry to Tobago where, after an enthusiast dock side welcome we all got into a mini-van and visited the K-Kids of Pembroke Anglican School. Just Julia entertained them with a variety of songs that got them participating in the music and warming up to their morning visitors.

Governor Gary, LG Leslie-Ann and members of the Scarborough Club meet with Kiwanis K-Kids.

Later that day we met with Aktion Club members, the Chief Secretary of Tobago and had a Kiwanis lunch at Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

That evening we took part in an interclub event with the Kiwanis Club of Tobago East and The Kiwanis Club of Scarborough.

Exhausted, after a long 17 hour day, we flew back to Port of Spain where we rested before the next day's DCM and Circle K charter ceremony.

The DCM began right at 9:00 a.m. The St. Helena hosted it in their community centre/club house. It went well, attended by all of the Divisions clubs.

The charter ceremony of the Circle K, UWI St. Augustine.

After the DCM I was privileged to take part in the charter ceremony of the Circle K club of the University of the West Indies, S. Augustine.

They students chartering this club showed their true Kiwanis colours by choosing to give up valuable study time (exams were taking place that day at the UWI) to welcome us and hold their ceremony.

That evening the members of the Santa Cruz, San Juan club held a special appreciation ceremony for two outstanding local heroes. A member of their fire and police departments were chosen to commemorated for outstanding contributions to their community. In a country where crime runs rampant, honoring the men and women who put their lives on the line to make a positive impact is something that President Esme Forde and her leadership team are to be commended for.

An officer of the fire department and police department were honoured for their contributions to the community.

The two officers were clearly moved by the Kiwanis tribute. The police officer confided to me that he had initially declined the honour. He turned it down for he didn't want to stand apart from the others on the force. It was his Captain who convinced him that by honouring him, Kiwanis was honouring all of the men and women in his department. He humbly accepted the award.

Trinidad and Tobago are islands with great need: crime, HIV/Aids, poverty. As well, they are islands serviced by warm, giving Kiwanians dedicated to changing their world one child at a time.

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