Youth Camp

Ten girls, ages seven to seventeen, were introduced to the wonders of electricity during a two-day “Energy and Electricity” camp, hosted as a precursor to the launch of a youth arm of the T&TEC Electrical Association for Women (EAW). The camp was part of a pilot project, as succession planning is underway for the EAW.

A youth arm of the EAW is intended to inspire girls to careers in the electricity industry and advocacy for energy sustainability, in part by exploring how Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) impact their lives and can align with their hobbies and routine activities.

To give the girls an insight into the objectives of the youth group, a two-day “Powered Up” camp was conducted at T&TEC’s Stanley P Ottley building, Mt Hope, on August 18 and 25 2018.  IAMovement, a local environmental and social NGO, premiered the first in its new three-part video series on energy efficiency in Trinidad and Tobago. Titled “Climate Talk 2018 – Rethinking Energy”, the video focused on natural gas usage, energy subsidies and the state of the energy industry, to prepare people to use more renewable energy and to practice conservation.

Mr. Jabari Seaforth, a Technician attached to T&TEC’s Protection and SCADA Department, led the practical aspects of the camp.  Using videos, demonstrations and interactive learning, he introduced the eager girls to the basics of electrical, mechanical and information systems principles. The smiles, laughter and curious questions were a signal that the activities, which included creating static electricity, creating a circuit with different materials, a paper flashlight and a battery, resonated. It was quite evident that they were fascinated to see how every day, simple materials can be used to make products that they once considered complex. The presentation was well received by both the young girls and the members of the EAW who were also in attendance.

Chaguanas Branch Conducts Small Appliance Repair Course

The Chaguanas Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission EAW successfully completed a 10-week small appliance repair course over the period February 22 to April 26, 2018.  Ten branch members and nine members of the public participated in the course to “learn to repair all makes and models of small appliances”.

Mr. Nazim Mohammed, tutor, taught the basics of electricity, and the importance of electrical safety when repairing an appliance.  They also learned that there are three different types of appliances, namely; small, portable and household.

The participants were very enthusiastic, to the extent that they practiced the lessons taught before and after each session. They are very eager to begin an advanced class.  From the youngest, 12-year old Joshua Boondoo to the young at heart, 69 year-old, Mr. Hinds, everyone was excited about the knowledge acquired and was anxious to share same with their friends. The ability to fix their small appliances, as opposed to discarding them, is now an option available to them.

Certificates of participation were presented to the students at a graduation ceremony held on May 3, 2018.

Sangre Grande Branch Lights The Way

The Sangre Grande Branch of the EAW has impacted the lives of youth in their community through an intervention called “Lighting the Way”.  The project incorporated motivational lectures on life skills, as well as electricity safety, and was intended to “light the way of young people transitioning into adult life by encouraging and empowering them to make the right choices as they strive to be the best that they can”.

From April 25 to May 15, 2018 the ladies worked with teachers and coordinators from the Helping You Prepare for Employment (HYPE) programme and the Sangre Grande Secondary School to host three sessions:

1. A lecture to students of HYPE (Helping You Prepare for Employment) on Electrical Safety.
2. A Motivational Seminar under the theme “Striving for Excellence” for Forms 4 and 5 students of the Sangre Grande Secondary School.
3. A display of the branch’s exhibition “Then and Now” highlighting items used before the advent of electricity and what are currently being used today.

The project earned the branch the first place in the Collin Matthews Community Award competition, for marrying the principles of community service and electricity education.

The Collin Matthews Community Award was introduced in 1991 to encourage branches to go the extra mile in serving their communities by educating and sensitising them about the smart use of electricity.