The Semi finals of the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition kicked off on August 12th and will continue until August 22, 2010 at Queen’s Hall St Anns and Naparima Bowl San Fernando respectively.

August 12th and 13th the Folk Dance Segment semi finals will take place which includes:

- Indigenous and East Indian dances;
- Spanish and French Influenced dance;
- Ballroom and Spiritual Devotion dance;
- Limbo and much more

The highly anticipated La Reine Rive semi finals will take place at Queen’s Hall on Saturday August 14th where twenty – seven (27) individuals will participate in the north while on Sunday 15th at the Naparima Bowl another twenty-five (25) contestants will represent south. The categories for the Miss La Reine Rive Competition are Self Expression and Talent. The Top fifteen finalists will compete for the coveted title of Miss La Reine Rive 2010.

During the week of August 16th – 22nd at Naparima Bowl in San Fernando the Music and Dance segments will take place as follows:

- Music – Folk Songs, Calypso, East Indian Devotional, Spiritual, Pan Solo, Tassa, Patriotic, Drumology and others.
- Dance – African, Local Interpretative, Calypso, Indigenous and more.

The top 5 Dance Groups as well as the top 10 Folk Theatre Groups within the entire island, for Folk will move forward to the Grand Finals which is carded for November 21, 2010 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA).

Members of the public are invited to attend these various segments of Folk Fair and La Reine Rive Semi Finals.

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CREDITS:
- Story by Natalie Walters
- Photo by Dexter Crawford

A total of 388 persons will graduate from the Community Education (Skills Training) Programme on August 17, 2010 in a ceremony to be held at the Thick Village Community Centre in Thick Village from 2.00 pm. The 20 to 25 week programme of courses is run by the Community Development Division of the Ministry of Community Development in areas across the country.

The graduates will be awarded certificates, following completion of courses in areas including:

• Balloon Decorations
• Crafts
• Food Preparation
• Event Management
• Upholstering
• Landscaping
• Computer Literacy and
• Cosmetology

The series of courses in St. Patrick was held at 20 Community Centres from Erin to South Oropouche and Penal.

The CEP is regarded as one of the Ministry’s main programmes, as it targets the unemployed in many communities. It is geared towards empowering the less fortunate communities and affording them equal opportunities to respond positively and effectively to the push and pull of today’s dynamic social and economic environment.

The programme is employment oriented and provides domestic support by equipping householders with skills to help them reduce expenditure and improve household income.

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CREDITS: Story compiled by Nicola Joseph using information provided by the St. Patrick district office of the Ministry’s Community Development Division.
Photo by Aleem Khan

Venezuelan Ambassador Her Excellency Maria Eugenia Marcano (centre) called on the Honourable Nizam Baksh (left), Minister of Community Development at his Port of Spain office today. She visited the Minister to hand over toys and food items for distribution to, and in solidarity with the victims of the recent floods in various communities in South Trinidad. Permanent Secretary Angella Jack (right) was also present at the meeting.

According to the Ambassador, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regularly assists others who work to alleviate poverty, and seized the opportunity to partner with the Ministry of Community Development to bring cheer to children living in the flood-affected communities of Trinidad and Tobago.

Joining the Ambassador were Edison Raphael, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Foundation, as well as a contingent of four Venezuelan Chess Players and their coaches, who were here to participate in the 2010 Caribbean Chess Carnival Tournament last weekend. Raphael indicated his Foundation’s willingness to conduct an eight week course on How to Play Chess to the recipients of the games. In response, the Honourable Minister Baksh lauded the Venezuelan Government's generosity, and said that the Ministry’s Community Centres will be made available for this purpose.

Minister Baksh thanked Ambassador Marcano and said that the Ministry welcomes all efforts to build and strengthen communities and assured her that the gesture will assist young people in the flood-affected areas.

PHOTO CAPTION: Community Development Minister Nizam Baksh greets a senior citizen in Rio Claro during the Ministry's recent graduation ceremony for students of the Community Education Programme. The following story was posted by the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Community Development in support of the Ministry of the People and Social Development's efforts.

Community Development Minister, the Honourable Nizam Baksh (centre) met Trinidad and Tobago's Miss Universe representative La Toya Woods (left) prior to her departure last week for the United States. The former Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs had provided $175, 000 to the local beauty pageant franchise holder, Mr. Ian Lee, to assist with preparations for the competition. The Minister could not meet Ms. Woods at the office given his commitments to helping with flood relief. He conveyed Government's as well as his personal best wishes to Ms Woods during a photo call on the ground floor of the hotel. Also present was Deputy Permanent Secretary Mrs. Hermia Tyson-Cuffie (right).