Residents of Gonzales came together to keep the community spirit alive through their African Emancipation Day Community Display.
In commemoration of African Emancipation Day 2026, the community of Gonzales curated a display of African artefacts, musical instruments and sculptures, and created a hub where everyone, especially the youngsters of Gonzales, was afforded the opportunity to immerse themselves in African culture.
According to President of the Gonzales Joint Community Service Centre, Lyndon Callendar, the event featured strong collaboration.
“Here today we do a nice display in our community where everybody come together, in the wardrobe, in the closet, in the tool room, and bring out all their craftwork, you could see on my right, on my left, there is plenty craftwork here, we have thing like the old icemaker, we have our mill on the inside and much more. If you see look around you’ll see plenty artwork, its young people , who have been trained under community development, put it together and brought it out here today.”
He says that initiatives like these have helped to reduce crime in the community.
“When it comes to crime Gonzales was on top of the list, and what I can say right about now, Gonzales, is a peaceful and loving place, all the youths is coming together, they are bonding and coming and having fun, right here in the Gonzales community, and I ask for all communities let’s come together and stop this crime, put down the guns let’s go right back into sports, gymnastics, we have football, and much more to bring the youths together.”
The community of Gonzales will continue to have engaging and meaningful events leading up to Independence Day.
“We have on the 14th right here in Gonzales, we have our youth group, is doing a praise on the corner, and each and every community is welcome to come on board, our meeting is next Tuesday.”
Mr. Callendar is urging other community leaders across Trinidad and Tobago to continue providing outlets that allow young people to learn and grow.