Late last year, it was announced that Suana Sookdeo, a community activist and National Youth Awards nominee from Chaguanas, was the winner of the 2020/2021 Makandal Daaga Scholarship in Law. The scholarship, named in honour of the political activist and leader of the Black Power Movement, is awarded by UWI St Augustine Faculty of Law to a student with a record of advocating for positive social change through tangible action. Suana, with her community work and advocacy for issues such as ending gender-based violence, is exactly the kind of recipient the scholarship was created to assist. UWI TODAY had a chance to interview this conscientious and driven young person.
UT: Can you tell me a bit about yourself?
SS: My name is Suana Sookdeo. I’m currently 19 years of age and I am from Chaguanas. I grew up with a very spiritual and culturally rich background, where my mother was a strong figure in my household. She instilled in me good morals and values, and taught me that humbleness and kindness is key to positive change, and I should always have trust and faith in God.
UT: What first drew you to activism, and what contributed towards your activism?
SS: My mother was the first person who got me actively involved in charity and helping the less fortunate at around 7 years old. I accompanied her to homes, orphanages and communities, and witnessed the adversities that so many in our society faced. That ignited a passion within me. I was exposed to two major societal problems: domestic violence and the abuse of children. I began hearing the stories of the suffering they endured. I was compelled to advocate for their justice.
UT: You have a focus on women’s issues and domestic violence. Why?
SS: Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are raging concerns within our country and have left numerous women and their children in precarious situations. Many of those situations lead to my other primary concern, child abuse and neglect. Families are left struggling to survive mentally and physically. It is frightening to see within the media the increasing number of DV cases, missing women, and a rise in the murder rate of women.
As a young woman living in this society, it hurts me to see people facing these challenges. It’s truly alarming. More initiatives have to be put into action to solve this issue. Women and children are so important to communities, and solutions to alleviate their burdens should be a main priority.
UT: You have an interest in the arts as well. What sparked this?
SS: I was drawn to the arts from very young. Writing poetry felt natural to me. I put pen to paper and wrote about anything that was persistent in my mind. What sparked my interest was the fact that I could use poetry as a form of expression—just writing those feelings and thoughts down connects me to the essence and meaning of not only my experiences, but those of others as well. That resonated with me. It became a way to break out of my shell as I was very timid. Having that passion, I channel issues I see in society into my writing and give it different perspectives.
UT: Apart from poetry, you are (or were) involved in many other things. Can you tell me about them?
SS: By advocating against domestic violence, I have worked with the Ministry of Gender and Child Affairs, taking part in several activities through the National Children’s Forum. That allowed me to use various platforms to reach a wide audience and engage with communities of children from different backgrounds. We were involved in articulating child policies and programmes, in collaboration with the UN, which doubtlessly improved our lives.
I was also nominated for the National Youth Awards in 2015 under The Ministry of the Arts and Culture, where the Director of Youth Affairs acknowledged my community and charitable work. I was also presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the Office of the Prime Minister (Gender and Child Affairs) in 2016. I’ve participated in spoken word events such as The 2cents Movement. I also participated in the forum “Age to Engage”, as well as the “Children Who Inspire” segment under the OPM, all of which was published by various newspapers.
The Chaguanas Borough Corporation also recognised my service to the community, and I worked with the SFAS [Sixth Formers’ Association Services] where I tutored students academically and informally. Additionally, I became Club Committee Director of the Interact Club where we executed several environmental and social projects at my high school.
My parents and I regularly visit retirement homes, orphanages and those in need to help out in any way that we can. I also like to participate in charity drives throughout remote villages, visiting families and bringing them any necessary items that I can provide for them. I volunteer in an individual capacity as well as through NGOs or anyone that is willing to work within communities, and, on weekends, I enjoy going around surrounding areas to feed stray animals.
UT: How did you find out about the Makandal Daaga Scholarship, and what was your reaction on discovering you won?
SS: I first found out about the scholarship through UWI’s website and I decided to apply, considering my background in activism and charitable work.
UT: After you have completed your studies and become a lawyer, how will you use what you have learned to further your goals?
SS: This scholarship allows me to pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer. Therefore, through this righteous gateway, I will be able to use my law degree to further assist the less fortunate, especially abused women and children. I will render my services to my society and my country at large for those that need representation for equality and justice, and eventually I would like to play a key part in the enforcement of stronger laws and policies, and found an association to offer legal advice and guidance. I want to make changes; the lives of the people in my society matter. I want to be an agent working towards the promotion of justice within an egalitarian society.
