PERSEVERANCE VILLAGE ADOPTED BY THE DIGICEL FOUNDATION

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 01, 2021: PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Through collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Community Development under its Sustainable Community Development Initiative, the Digicel Foundation has committed to investing TT$337,500 in the community of Perseverance Village for a period of one (1) year. On August 26, Digicel Foundation Operations Manager- Cindy Ann Currency attended a walk through in Perseverance Village to meet the members and explore the rich and historic elements of the community.

The National Policy of Sustainable Community Development (NPSCD) Initiative calls for private sector and other donor agencies to adopt a community over a 3-5 year period, supporting their developmental activities and community goals. The objective of this initiative perfectly aligns with the Foundation’s work throughout the years. Five (5) communities were identified to participate in the Ministry’s programme. The Digicel Foundation will be adopting two of these communities- Perseverance Village and Marabella.

The Perseverance Village Committee on Sustainable Development Communities (PVCSD) comprised members from the village’s women’s organisation, culture, sports groups and faith based organisations.  Some of the community projects submitted by the community include Recycling, Upgrades to the Hugo Mc Farlene Recreational Grounds, rebuilding the Woodford Lodge Recreational Centre, and a community museum just to name a few.

Perseverance Village forms part of the previous Woodford Lodge Estate that was sold over to the now defunct Caroni (1975) Ltd when sugar was the main export commodity for Trinidad and Tobago. The community is home to several state owned buildings and is resident to several former Caroni workers. The village was once used as a barracks for the African Slaves and Indentured Labourers.

After the community walk through, the committee met with Digicel Foundation rep and representatives from the Ministry of Sport and Community Development to discuss the partnership and implementation of all of the plans as they move forward.