It’s often said that parenting is no easy task, but for Victor Perreira, it has meant confronting grief while shouldering the responsibility of raising his 11 children on his own.
As a result, he recently received the ‘Single Father of the Year Award ‘ for 2025 from the Fathers Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
TTT News caught up with Mr. Perreira, on a job site, plying his trade as a mason, with his son by his side.
He remembered the day his life changed forever—nearly four years ago, he became a single father after losing his wife in a tragic car accident.
“Well, it was our responsibility, then it became mine.”
Despite the tragedy, he picked up the mantle and continued the race, carrying forward the structures and values his wife would have established.
The proof: his children’s academic success.
He boasted that his eight daughters and three sons continue to excel in their classes, schools, and even the region.
“I have two at Presentation College San Fernando. I have two at Couva Convent, and another one, she finished convent two years ago. She was one of the top Caribbean Awardees also, and she taught at Presentation College for six months and in between in Couva Convent also.”
He emphasised the importance of extracurricular activities, noting that there must be a balance for a child to properly develop.
“They will always be occupied with either schoolwork, sports, vocal classes, dance classes.”
In addition, he says the community remains equally important. In his case, the Police Youth Club forms part of his children’s community.
“I must say thanks to Officer Smalls, that guy doing a great job. I guess not everybody will see it, but for the community, and I think probably extending – I am not sure if it is only in this community he is in charge of, but having the camps and things like that, I think it plays a great part for kids and parents on the whole too. I mean, it’s a place where they can go and spend time during the day. During the course of the day, most of the time, most parents are working and things.”
He also had a special message for fathers: “Just be responsible for your charge, your kids – that’s your responsibility – and start parenting. I think as long as we start going back to parenting, I think all the problems that we have will definitely be fixed.”
As he continues to fulfil a commitment designed for two, he attempts to satisfy a question on what he thinks his children would make of his efforts. He says, “Oh yes, you is the best Daddy it has – although I still cut tail and things, eh.”