In its objective to fulfil its mandate as the lead social sector agency for the government, the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) has partnered with key stakeholders to participate in various outreaches across the country held during the month of March, 2023.
The Ministry envisions its participation in the various stakeholder outreaches, as an opportunity to highlights its ongoing Public Information, Education and Sensitization Campaign where information on available social services and how these could be accessed are shared with various communities and stakeholders.
On Saturday March 04, the MSDFS participated in a Health Fair and Family Day, hosted by the Trinidad & Tobago Association for the Hearing Impaired (TTAHI). The event which took place at TTAHI’s Headquarters at Wrightson Road, Port of Spain; was held in collaboration with the North West Regional Health Authority (NWRHA) to commemorate International World Hearing Day, which is recognized on 3rd March, annually. Representatives from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS) were on hand to share information about the Ministry’s services and programmes. Those in attendance were especially interested in services available for persons with disabilities, the Public Assistance grant as well as the Sowing Empowerment through Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) grant. Several persons felt encouraged to learn about the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities which places focus on providing services to the community so that they too, can live full and rewarding lives.
On March 08, the Arima Girls RC School hosted a career day entitled “Igniting the Millennials with Skills for the Future” at the school’s compound, Church Street, Arima. The event was in commemoration of International Women’s Day, and students and staff members were eager to learn about the Ministry’s services from representatives of the Family Services Division, the Social Welfare Division, and the NGO Unit. Students were also exposed to information on making a career out of becoming a social worker.
On March 11, the MSDFS was a key participant at Community Outreach at the Pleasantville Community Centre, San Fernando which was hosted by the San Fernando East Constituency Office. Officials from the National Family Services Division, the Division of Ageing and the National Social Development Programme (NSDP) were on hand to provide important information on grants and services in a very interactive session to the hundreds of visitors who were present.
The fourth and final outreach that the MSDFS participated in, during the month of March, 2023, was one in the form of a breakfast gathering for elders hosted by the Open Bible Institute of Theology on Saturday March 25, at its compound on Eastern Main Road, Laventille. This session aimed at sensitizing the attendees, who were all senior citizens, about the services available from the Division of Ageing and the National Family Services Division. Patrons were very excited to learn about the Ministry’s Centenarian Programme, where persons are honoured and recognised upon attaining the milestone age of hundred years; as well as activities for senior citizens. Elder abuse was also a topic of discussion, and persons were also informed of counselling and psychosocial support which are available through the National Family Services Division.
All sessions in March were quite successful as many persons expressed their gratitude for information on the social services and programmes which are designed to help, empower and transform lives.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services is pleased to take its services to the community level and looks forward to sharing information on its suite of social services, thereby empowering all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.