It brings me immense joy to welcome you to the launch of the President’s Pan Camp 2025.
The return of the panyard model to The President’s House for a second consecutive year is, in itself, a cause for celebration. But what truly inspires and energises me is the extraordinary team of individuals who have once again breathed life into the vision I first shared in my inaugural address. That vision is of an Office of the President that, among other youth initiatives, advocates for the adoption in our communities of youth programmes based on the panyard model – not just limited to specific periods in the year, but on a year-round basis.
And so, to this extraordinary team, I offer my profound gratitude. It is their hard work, commitment and resourcefulness that have made this event possible. The creativity, willingness to sacrifice, and passion for youth empowerment which they have poured into this initiative over the last few months, have rekindled within me the same sense of hope and pride that I felt at the launch of the very first President’s Pan Camp. Their names are not only written in this morning’s programme, but are written forever in His Excellency’s and my hearts.
Last year, 21 young pan pioneers, none of whom had ever played the steelpan before, stepped up to the challenge of becoming the very first cohort of the President’s Pan Camp. Over the course of just five days, their educators, mentors, support staff—all of us really—witnessed something truly extraordinary. We watched as these 21 young people experienced what can only be described as a metamorphosis. Like caterpillars entering a chrysalis, many of them began the week uncertain, curious, perhaps even a little shy. But day by day, something beautiful began to unfold. The quiet ones found their voices. The unsure grew in confidence. The hesitant committed themselves. And by the end of the week, they emerged from their cocoons, ready and eager to take flight for the very first time.
With just five days of instruction, they mastered and delivered a spirited and unforgettable performance of Mical Teja’s “DNA,” at the closing ceremony.
I am guilty of no exaggeration when I tell you that that performance moved every single person in the audience. It was a moment that vividly and powerfully illustrated what becomes possible when we equip young people with the tools, platform, guidance and encouragement to thrive. It exemplified the powerful, transformative potential of the steel pan and of the panyard model. And perhaps most importantly, it reminded us adults that we, too, can experience our own metamorphosis and transformation, if we are willing to seize the opportunity.
That, after all, is the story of the steelpan. It is a story of literal transformation—of discarded oil drums repurposed into a musical instrument that is now, not only formally our national instrument, but that is celebrated the world over. It is a story of musical transformation, from traditional African drums to tamboo bamboo, and finally to the steelpan. It is a story of cultural transformation- a transformation that gave the pan community a voice; our cultural expression, a new platform; and our entire country, a renewed sense of identity.
This year, the Pan Camp holds that same transformational potential. 25 young people will be mentored by seasoned pannists and facilitators who can recognise their potential and who are committed to nurturing and unlocking it. They will be challenged to cultivate the attitudes, values and life skills that will help them become more responsible and productive members of our nation. This year’s Pan Camp will follow the same format as last year’s – musical instruction in the morning sessions mixed with mentorship talks, and a fuller exploration of life skills in the afternoon. Included among the adults who will be tasked with that afternoon responsibility – adults who are more than capable of rising to their tasks – are Justice of Appeal Gillian Lucky, who will be speaking with the Pan Campers on the topic “Watch Your Words”; Miss World Trinidad and Tobago 2025, Anna Lisa Nanton, who will be exploring with the Campers the topic “Live your Authentic Self”; and Mr. Joshua Regrello, the holder of the Guiness World Record for the Longest Marathon Playing the Steelpan, who will be addressing with the Campers the topic “Success Is Not Easy/No Man is an Island”. With this mix of music and life-skills-teaching, the Camp aims, once again, to embody and to unlock the transformational power of the panyard model. I am delighted beyond measure that this year, the Campers will be joined by 25 young persons from Tobago, hailing from ‘RBC Redemption Sounds’, for one of these transformational afternoon sessions.
It is this, transformational power, that I believe is the true power of Pan Camp – not just for our Campers, but for all of us. It calls upon us to remember that transformation is both possible and necessary for each individual, and for our society as a whole. It begins with a decision to do something different – to identify and to understand the challenges around us, and to be willing to look inwardly to improve our capacity to meet those challenges head-on. That is exactly what the pioneers of the steelpan did. That is exactly what all of must do in order for us collectively to inch closer to the kind of Trinidad and Tobago we all envision.
Just imagine the national transformation that could unfold if each of us committed ourselves to collaboration and learning, and if we gave ourselves space to let our innate creativity and resourcefulness take flight. Imagine the ripple effects across education, crime and community development. Imagine the challenges that we could overcome with courage, and the obstacles that we could overcome with unity. Imagine the kind of nation we could become.
That is the message of the Pan Camp. And that is the invitation I extend to the nation today. Let us all commit to our own transformation, in our homes, workplaces, communities, and in our hearts.
And so, I end as I began – by expressing, once again, how happy and hopeful I am for our 25 young campers this year, and for the transformation that they are about to undergo. I am as happy and as hopeful for Trinidad and Tobago, that we, too, can transpose the principles of the panyard into our own lives and experience the national metamorphosis that can arise from the panyard mode .
My dear young people, I encourage you to take the sage advice of your peer Bridgette, who you heard earlier in the recap video, saying to “fully immerse yourself into playing pan. Don’t be afraid to come out of your comfort zone. Make new friends, learn new things and just have fun.”
I wish us all – Campers and adults alike – a transformative and memorable experience.
