The Ministry of Homeland Security has dedicated its Psychosocial Intervention and Educational Engagement Initiative to 12-year-old Mercedez Layne and other child victims of crime.
Having already visited six schools in just three weeks, the Ministry’s Director of Policy and Community Support, Zaheer Ali, told TTT News that the Psychosocial Intervention and Educational Engagement Initiative is essential to addressing crime and criminality in the country.
He explained that the programme seeks to reach young people at a time when they need it the most.
Referencing the recent killing of 12-year-old Mercedez Layne, Mr. Ali said the initiative aims to trigger a change in the next generation.
“I would like to dedicate this to her and all children who would have lost their lives through crime and criminality, demonstrating and signalling that their passing, their demise, must not be left without a response. I want to take this opportunity to dedicate these interventions. Perhaps the students that we engage will be students that will not contribute to crime and criminality but would contribute to positivity in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Founder of the St James Police Youth Club, Derrick Sharbodie, described the programme as a necessary and long overdue step, noting that crime cannot be tackled by law enforcement alone.
“Joining hands, a collective effort, I think, offers well in terms of reaching young people. This is proactive, it is not reactive. It is a part of a plan, a plan, a deliberate plan to make sure and address young people’s thinking, giving them that sense of awe, a sense of purpose, a sense of value.”
And former West Indies captain Merissa Aguilera also threw her support behind the initiative, highlighting the role of sport as a tool for mentorship and youth development.
“I’ve experienced a lot within my cricketing career, and I think it’s a good opportunity to drive sports and sports is an avenue that we can use to help our youths, and that is what I am doing right now. I’m sharing my experiences, ensuring that they understand certain things. They will not always get the right guidance, and we are trying our best to ensure that we are here to assist and make them know that we are here to assist.”
The programme continues on Thursday with a visit to Aranguez North Secondary School.