Reema Carmona, wife of President Anthony Carmona and patron of the T&T Red Cross Society, celebrated a heartwarming 75th Annual National Chain Gathering with some 350 young members of the organisation at the bpTT Mayaro Resource Centre on October 2. Accompanied by her husband, Carmona called on the Red Cross and Red Crescent Youths to “further develop your national society by doing more, doing better, serving others and reaching further.” The National Chain Gathering was organised by the South Eastern Education District (Seed) of the Ministry of Education in partnership with the T&T Red Cross Society. Theme of the function was Saving Lives; Changing Minds.
A release said attendees represented schools from throughout the country, with the Tobago members forming a guard of honour to welcome the President and his wife on their arrival.
In her address to the gathering, Carmona told the pupils they would soon begin their Youth Awareness Week of Activities where they would have the unique opportunity to instantly contact any member of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Youth movement anywhere in the world, at any time. “You therefore have at your fingertips the ability to spread positive messages and positively influence the lives of others to create a better world,” she told the youngsters. She concluded her address with this exhortation to the 75th Annual National Chain Gathering: “I urge each and every one of you to enlist the help of your classmates, your friends and family members, inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities to prevent and alleviate human suffering, promoting human dignity and peace in the world.”
Mariam Yacoobali, of Princes Town ASJA Primary School, presented a cocoa sapling as a token of appreciation to the President’s wife. Perennial champions San Fernando TML Primary School received the Samaroo Challenge Shield for placing first in the National Overall Competition, with Rio Claro ASJA Primary School coming second and Arima Girls Government, third. The pupils were all excited to be in the presence of the President and his wife and shared the experience at the end of the function. “It was an amazing experience meeting the President and Mrs Carmona and actually receiving the championship trophy from Mrs Carmona herself. It is an experience I will never forget. Red Cross teaches you to be helpful to others in your community and to be a good person,” said a beaming Caitlyn Brooker, ten, of San Fernando TML Primary School.