First-year students enroled in the Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science programme at The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s Chaguaramas Campus were recently engaged in Service Learning during the months of May – July, 2011.  This combination of teaching and learning, through community service and classroom instruction, allows for a hands-on approach to strengthening communities while imparting the value of civic responsibility. Bellegarde, Fond de Blanc, Haiti, was the district earmarked by the students as they sort to expand their definition of ‘community’ to incorporate persons within this rural region of Haiti.

Students embarked on a ‘containerized’ classroom project. Through the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, they were able to source an abandoned container which was subsequently transformed into a fully-equipped, albeit basic, early childhood classroom outfitted with furniture, classroom supplies and a sickbay. The project which took a total of ten (10) weeks for completion will have positive implications for students of this impoverished nation who have suffered through severe natural disasters and general economic depression.

The road to the successful completion of this enterprise was not an easy one.  A series of fundraising ventures and donations by local corporate citizens generated some funding; however, the onus rested heavily on these UTT students who called themselves ‘Nautical Pioneers’ as they continued their trailblazing and highly laudable initiative. The conversion of the container (with the loaded furniture and supplies) was completed on Tuesday 5^th July, 2011 and the items are currently en route to Haiti where they will be received and ultimately delivered to Bellegarde by the Salvation Army in Haiti. 

This project could not have been executed without the help of:

• All donors (corporate and civil)
• Salvation Army of Trinidad and Tobago
• Albert Peters Woodworking Limited
• Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
• Trinidad and Tobago Pilots’ Association
• Prime Equipment Rentals Limited
• Best Choice Meats
• IMS – Industrial Marine Services
• Alliance Française de Trinidad and Tobago
• Ramdass Transport Company Ltd.
• Daveon Woodworking

UTT students have benefited greatly from this experience as they have learnt perseverance, teamwork, the importance of service to others and the gift of charity. Time management skills, budgeting, craftsmanship and general management of a project from concept to completion, were other added benefits derived by these students.

Click here to download Presentation

From the left:

 1^st row: Sarita Emmanuel (UTT lecturer), Terris Tailor, Johanna Subran, Tian Mc Ivor and Vivian Rambarath-Parasram (UTT Lecturer)

2^nd row: Darnell Barrat, Jon-Paul Clarke, Marielle Gordon and Stephen Enile

3^rd row: Avinash Gopaul, Ricardo Allen and Stefan Bramble

Before

After