Good morning!
If there is one way to be sure to get me to attend an event, is for literacy, and in particular with children, to be the cause. I am delighted to be here for the Rededication of the George Alleyne Library at the All in One Child Development Centre here in Beetham Gardens. Just late last year, I attended the opening of the La Seiva R.C. Primary School and, as with today’s rededication, the Rotary Club was integrally involved. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of the Rotary Club, whose consistent involvement in literacy projects deserves the highest commendation. I thank its members for their patriotic and nation-building commitment to literacy. You are good examples of what each of us can do to, in our small spheres of influence, to build a better, stronger nation.
Parents, I am happy to see so many of you here today. Literacy, reading and writing, is an investment in your children’s future. When I was a child, my mummy wouldn’t always buy me the toys that I asked for, but if I asked for a book that was a slam dunk. I would like to recommend that approach to you. So, by all means, shower them with other gifts but the best gift is a book from which they can develop a passion for reading. Take the time to read to them frequently and make reading a fun, family activity. Children learn from what they see, so if they see you reading and enjoying it they will follow suit. Should any of you have challenges with literacy, don’t be ashamed or hesitate to give yourself the gift of literacy through organisations such as The Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA), which have dedicated great time and effort in empowering adults to read and write.
Children, I have been reading since I was small like you. I loved to read tales about farawaylands; the adventures of mischievous children like myself; and the stories about toys which came to life at midnight. As I got older, I switched to books about haunted houses, mysteries and brave girls. I still love to read all sorts of books, but I most enjoy adventure stories.
Now that you know my favourite kind of book, tell me, what kind of books do you like?
Last year at the La Seiva library I saw a new ABC book. It was about us in Trinidad and Tobago. A stood for agouti; I forget what B was for, but C was for coconuts and guess what D was for?
Reading is exercise for your brain; the more you read, the stronger and faster your brain will become. If you don’t know a word, don’t give up, ask mummy or daddy or Miss or Sir to explain it to you and when you get older, read with a dictionary next to you or, better yet, google the words you don’t know. The more you read, the more words you learn, and the better you will become at creative writing, spelling and expressing yourself.
You can read a real book like the ones in your new library or you can read books on a phone or a tablet. Of course, it doesn’t matter which you choose, the important thing is to read, read and then read some more, and now that you have so many brand-new books in your wonderful library, I hope that you too will come to love reading.
When you read, or when mummy or daddy reads to you, you can learn about new and exciting worlds without even leaving your home. You can meet all sorts of interesting people and imagine that you are whomever you want to be. Reading shows you all the different things you can do, all the different jobs that you can have, all the different places you can visit and even all the great food that you can taste.
I am going to read you a story about something all of you know. I will describe it for you and you tell me what it is. But before I do that, I want to show you three of my favourite books.
Let’s get to this exciting story.
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Message from His Excellency Kerwyn Garcia S.C., First Gentleman and Patron of the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association on World Sight Day 2024—10 October 2024 World Sight Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of October every year. This annual observance, coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), aims to raise awareness about vision impairment and blindness and promote eye and vision health. This year, under the theme, “Children - Love Your Eyes”, the focus is on children’s vision and eye health. Good vision plays a critical role in a child’s physical, mental and social development. When vision problems go unaddressed and uncorrected, children face delays in their development and learning and, in some cases, permanent loss of vision. Regrettably, due to eye and vision issues that are often treatable, correctable or curable, young people risk missing out on important learning and social opportunities. Early detection and treatment of eye problems are therefore essential in safeguarding the vision and future of our nation’s children. Parents and guardians play a pivotal role in this regard; ours is the responsibility to ensure that children receive regular eye and vision checks to identify potential eye issues from an early age. In keeping with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, ours is also the responsibility to limit children’s ‘screen time’ and encourage outdoor activities to help prevent the development of short-sightedness (myopia). On Sunday, I will be joining the Trinidad and Tobago Blind Welfare Association (TTBWA) on their annual walk commemorating World Sight Day. As patron of the TTBWA, I encourage both adults and children to use the opportunity, after Sunday’s walk, for free vision screenings and to visit the health fair in order to obtain valuable information on preserving and protecting eye and vision health.On this World Sight Day, let us commit to making the eye and vision health of our children a priority. Let us all be advocates for the vision and eye health of current and future generations. #children #loveyoureyes #worldsightday #offieofthepresidentt
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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T updated their cover photo.
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🌟 Support World Sight Day 2024: "Love Your Eyes"! 🌟Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 13, 2024 and get ready to make a difference! The Blind Welfare Association, under the patronage of His Excellency Kerwyn Garcia, S.C. First Gentleman of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago invites you to a spectacular morning walk around the Queen’s Park Savannah, starting at 7am! 🚶♀️👀This is more than just a walk—it's a powerful movement to raise awareness about children’s eye health and the importance of protecting our vision. Together, we can shine a spotlight on the fight against vision impairment and blindness, and promote eye care for all. 👁️✨💥 What to Expect:Free Vision Screenings 👓Exciting Health Fair 🎉#LoveYourEyes #WorldSightDay2024 #blindwelfareassociation #officeofthepresidentt
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Mr. Dan Russell Ethan Martineau took the Oath of Office to be reappointed as a Commissioner of the Fair-Trading Commission before Her Excellency, Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at a ceremony at the Office of the President, on October 8, 2024#service #NationalDevelopment #trinidadandtobago #officeofthepresidentt
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Students of St Anthony’s College and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago visited The President’s House for a tour of its House and Grounds on Tuesday 8th October 2024. A special highlight for the St. Anthony’s students was the opportunity to meet Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, after witnessing her perform part of the Presentation of Credentials ceremony.The COSTAATT certified tour guides also enjoyed an informative and interactive experience, gaining valuable insights into the history, significance and usage of The President’s House. It was indeed a memorable and educational day for all.
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