August 2014


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Among our eight honorees this year is SubeshRamjattan, philanthropist and entrepreneur. Mr Ramjattan has set up charitable organizations such as the Bridge of Hope, the Kernahan Project, the Annapausis Community, the Family Life and Support Centre, and the Oasis Institute, from which he was conferred with a Doctor of Humane Letters award in 2010. Mr Ramjattanwill be conferred with the D.Litt at the St. Augustine campus Graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Medical Sciences in October 2014. He shared some thoughts on his good works with editor, Vaneisa Baksh.

VB: What is the greatest challenge you faced in setting up The Bridge of Hope?

SR: The Bridge of Hope was established with a faith-based vision to be a model for other childcare providers in Trinidad and Tobago.Debbie [his wife] and I wanted to be change agents and raise the standards for childcare socially, culturally, and morally. We learned that there can be no positive change in the social fabric of the community unless those precipitating the change are also changed as part of the process.The struggle during the early years was learning to deal with abandoned and disadvantaged children.One of the early personal lessons gained from the struggle was that God did not comfort us to be comfortable; but to comfort others. It was always my desire to serve the less fortunate in my home turf along the eastern seaboard.

VB: How can members of the public help with some of the supporting institutions you oversee?

SR: My life experience taught me that a vision is more caught than taught, so we constantly challenged others to buy into the vision.The effort was to earn the trust of others and to model the lifestyle we desired in others.We engaged partners and stakeholders in assisting us to promote the ongoing aspects of the Bridge of Hope.We believe that transparency and accountability are important factors in engaging people in the sustainable development of a project.

Corporations and citizens may be involved in support by volunteering their services and ensuring a fair share contribution.They can also support on an ongoing basis or share a one-time gift or grant for special projects.There are many persons with gifts and talents that must be given an opportunity to share in community projects. We encourage people to share their time as surrogate grandparents for Bridge of Hope children, and also bring their families to the home and interact with the less fortunate children sharing birthdays and special events.

VB: Which of your achievements do you value most?

SR: When I review my journey of the past forty years, I value most my effort to improve the quality of life of the needy: perhaps this is my most valued contribution.First there was the House of Marketing, then business ventures in USA, next the return to Trinidad to develop the Anapausis Community, then building the Bridge of Hope for childcare, promoting Family Life Education, initiating O.A.S.I.S. – Institute of Higher Learning for graduate education, and constructing Olive’s House for Eldercare.The effort to improve the quality of life continues with writing books and developing programmes dealing with current women’s issues known asGlobal Women’s Inter-reliant NETWORK, and the Anapausis Together/Strong NETWORK, a strategy to organize men for moral excellence and transparency in belief and conduct. We have recently established Bridge of Hope (KutumbJyothi) India to assist families in the slum areas and children of construction workers.

VB: What does this honorary D.Litt mean to you?

SR: For The University of the West Indies to recognize my faith-based efforts to serve my native country is truly an honour. I firmly believe that charity begins at home and that both my energy and resources are best utilized in developing programmes, projects, organizations, and books that serve the needy and disadvantaged in Trinidad and Tobago.I will humbly accept and wear this recognition as a badge of honour and continue to remind others that hard work can make a difference when you bloom where you were planted.My goal is to convince others that you don’t have to make headlines to make a difference.