The Scouting Association of Trinidad and Tobago has welcomed First Gentleman, Senior Counsel Kerwyn Garcia, as its first Deputy Chief Scout since its inception in 1911.
Mr. Garcia previously served as its first Vice President.
At the Association’s investiture ceremony on Sunday, Mr. Garcia said he feels a tremendous sense of responsibility, commitment and dedication to all that the scouting movement stands for.
He also acknowledged the movement as being one of the most powerful and transformative avenues for the development of the nation’s youth and said he is looking forward to working closely with them.
“Meet with the executive and decide how we could collaborate and align what it is my new role brings with the goals of the scout movement to make sure that we act in a uniform manner and, as I say, to the benefit of all of the scout movement and especially to our young people.”
According to Minister of Education Dr. Michael Dowlath, the event was a wonderful demonstration of discipline and camaraderie among young people. He said it afforded the audience an opportunity to understand that there is hope for the future of young people in Trinidad and Tobago.
“I want to say that they add value to all of the activities in schools, but they also allow our young people to understand the whole concept of service and loyalty to an organisation, and so they take pride in how they dress and how they present themselves.”
National Scouting Commissioner Mark Ainsley John highlighted the positive impact they continue to have on Trinidad and Tobago since 1911. He noted that thousands of young people have participated in the movement and continue to be active in their communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
“The goal of the scout movement is to encourage young people’s development but to also create active citizens, and what we are hoping to do is have more young people join the scout movement; the more young people join so that they can become more active in the society and thereby be able to contribute positively to the development of the society.”
Several people were recognised for their outstanding contribution to society and the Scouting Association of Trinidad and Tobago.