Trinidad and Tobago

Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago is not something new. In the past, the area was extremely exploited by the Europeans. Although it used to have a growing economy, the emancipation of the slaves in 1834 hurt the island’s sugar industry because among other reasons labor was not for free anymore. Lately, with the help of Indian laborers the sugar production as well as the cocoa industry boosted.

For the happiness of the local population, oil was discovered on Trinidad in 1910. Such discovery should have helped the fight against poverty, but corruption is so high that quality of life did not improve as it could. With the continuous high production of petroleum and natural gas together with the increase in tourism, Trinidad and Tobago is considered to be as an excellent investment site for international business and one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean. But economic pressures of the poor together with high youth unemployment, has contributed to the growth of crime and drug use. Violence has increased so much in the past years that recently youth leaders from all over the Caribbean got together to discuss such problems.

Sadly, akin to all of its neighbors, Trinidad and Tobago has a high percentage of people living in extreme poverty. Therefore, the government is aiming to eradicate poverty among sections of the population by 2015. One of the many projects set to achieve the Trinidad’s goal is the Poverty Strategy. For Trinidad and Tobago, the five areas of highest priority for pursuing poverty reduction include: (i) promoting broad-based, sustainable growth in non-oil sectors; (ii) improving the functioning of the labor market by reforming specific administrative interventions to reduce rigidities, distortions and gender discrimination; (iii) improving both quality and equity in the education sector; (iv) rally supporting health reform to reduce current inefficiencies while ensuring quality and maintaining equity; and (v) reforming the safety net so that programs more adequately meet the needs of the poor without wasting resources.

The islands are known for its severe stand on crime and "unfortunately, as political support has grown in the English- speaking Caribbean for taking a 'tough' stand on crime, several governments have expressed interest in applying the death penalty without the constraints imposed by international human rights standards,"" said José Miguel Vivanco, executive director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch.

There have been recent and continuous reports from all over the region, especially women, of torture and ill treatment by the police and military forces. Homosexuality is prohibited and punishments are cruel and harsh, such as imprisonment. The law is so strict on homosexuals that they are not allowed to enter the country.

Trinidad and Tobago is a Democratic Republic within the British Commonwealth; therefore, a free country with free elections. Although considered free, it is not considered a just place. Too much corruption in every area of the government makes this smallarchipelago have a poor and inefficient public system.

The conditions in places of detention are terrible, inhuman and degrading. Inmates consistently complain about the overcrowding of prisoners and abuse of power done by the police guard.

Trinidad and Tobago is part of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) together with Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vicent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat and Suriname. All these countries together sum up to a total of more than 300 thousand people living with HIV.

HIV epidemic started in 1983. The increase in infection is because of sex between men, commercial sex workers and high use of drugs. HIV infections are more common among women and infection levels are six times higher among 15-19 year old females than among males of the same age.

Other diseases in the islands include: chlorella, Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, dengue fever and traveler’s diarrhea.

The government is trying to respond to these issues investing in all possible health sectors, especially with the new disease found in the region, influenza. The main concern with influenza is that the A(H5) and A(H7) are subtypes, which affect humans.

Travelers should not be afraid to visit the islands because no vaccinations are required for entry, but an inoculation for Hepatitis A is recommended, as well as yellow fever and typhoid for those visiting rural areas. Insect protection is advised, as there is a risk of dengue fever.

Some current issues such as pollution from oil spills, water pollution from agricultural chemicals, deforestation and soil erosion have not stopped Trinidad and Tobago to continuously show progress into achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of ensuring environmental sustainability.

Since Trinidad and Tobago's tourism industry development project relies heavily on eco-tourism, the development of tourism with careful environmental planning is needed due to the fact that a greater influx of tourists in a country without the infrastructure to receive them may cause environmental degradation. For example, In the Trinidad and Tobago case, there is a chronic shortage of water in Tobago where it has become critical during the month of February, when Carnival is on and tourists flood the island. As a result, all the hotels use most of the water and the native population suffers from it. The depletion of sand for developmental usage has recently become another environmental problem. This has not only damaged the beaches, but also ruined the natural environment where turtles come to lay their eggs. Coral reefs are also heavily affected by the tourism because they are being destroyed in a much faster pace than they can reproduce themselves.

The educational system in Trinidad and Tobago, public education at both the primary and secondary level is free and the language of instruction is English. School places, however, are extremely limited, especially at the secondary level. The competition for entry into the free public secondary school system through the Common Entrance Examination for the eleven plus age is very difficult.

There has been a steady and significant improvement in the level of educational attainment since the 1970s, where the literacy level has continued to grow both for men and women. Hence, recent estimates show Trinidad and Tobago with 98 per cent of its population being literate.

Caribbean Institute for Human Development -The Caribbean Institute for Human Development is a non-profit organisation located in Trinidad and Tobago. The organization is devoted to investigating and documenting human behavior in the Caribbean and developing strategies for change.

CharityBoard.org Inc, Caribbean Volunteers.org - CharityBoard.org is a Caribbean non-profit organization that maintains a database to assist charitable/non-profit organizations, operating in Trinidad and the greater Caribbean region, in locating enthusiastic and talented individuals willing to volunteer their time. The specific Mission of CharityBoard.org is to foster healthy and co-operative relationships between non-government organizations (NGOs), in the Caribbean, willing to enhance their management and human resources and those individuals willing to volunteer in the Caribbean and looking for volunteer opportunities in the Caribbean. This mission embodies the vision of CharityBoard.org, which seeks, through strategic partnerships and organic growth, to be the definitive source for charitable/non-profit organizations when assembling volunteers and volunteer boards of directors in the Caribbean region.

Environment TOBAGO - Environment TOBAGO conserves Tobago's natural and living resources and advances the knowledge and understanding of such resources, their wise and sustainable use, and their essential relationship to human health and the quality of life.

Genesis Foundation for Literacy - Ours in a Non-profit organization dedicated to literacy. Over the past 15 years we have donated thousands of books to both school and public libraries. We see literacy as a key tool in building an effective society. Any and all help will be appreciated.

International Education and Resource Network Trinidad and Tobago - The mission is:

1. Connecting Youth
2. Making a Difference in the World
3. Through education for global Understanding

Network of Rural Women Producers - Works to empower rural women towards enhanced economic and social wellbeing. The Development and promotion of rural women producers in agriculture and agricultural related industries by:
• Promotion of self-reliance,
• Relevant training to upgrade and develop human resource capacity of rural producers,
• Establish credit facilities to meet the financial needs of the rural producers strengthening the links among rural women, national, regional and international,
• Advocacy in order to promote and sensitize the wider society to the needs of the rural women
• Building and strengthening of institutional capacity within rural women’s' groups.

Paria Springs Trust - Paria Springs Trust's undertaking shall be the development and promotion of conservation of the natural resources of Trinidad and Tobago through the development, promotion, and effecting research, into the natural history, bio-diversity, ecology, culture and communities of Trinidad and Tobago and education and training of local, national, and international persons in matters of conservation and related topics, along with the acquiring of land for the stated undertaking.

People United to Save our Heritage ,Tobago, West Indies - Works to promote intellectual,cultural and social development for residents of Trinidad and Tobago through project based activities and advocacy. PUSH works with vulnerable groups in the society and particularly youths.

The National Drama Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NDATT) - Mission: To foster an interest in and to develop all aspects of the art of drama in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. To promote all other aspects of drama and to do all such things as may be conducive to the attainment of the above aim.

West Indies Service Helpers - Mission : To train and place Service Animals of all types in appropriate environments for the direct benefit of the disabled. To educate the public on the humane use of animals to assist persons with disabilities physically and psychologically. To further and initiate the study of human animal interaction. To rescue, and when possible, rehabilitate homeless animals for Service Animal and Therapy Animal careers. To network Service Animal organizations and non-profit advocacy organizations inorder to provide a secure support system for the disabled individuals who are partnered with Service Animals.

STUDENT WORLD ASSEMBLY - The Student World Assembly is a non-governmental, non-partisan organization created to represent students globally. It provides a deliberative assembly where students around the world can exchange views, vote on global issues through online discussion forums and in annual international conventions, and translate these views into meaningful actions.