The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development, joined graduates, mentors, facilitators, family members and stakeholders, yesterday, Monday June 8, 2026, to celebrate the successful completion of the Ministry’s ManUP Programme, as one hundred and eleven (111) participants graduated from the six-month national male empowerment initiative.
Also in attendance were the Honourable Clyde Elder, Minister in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Dr. Narindra Roopnarine, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Community Development, Senator David Nakhid, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Ms. Florette Clarke, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Community Development, programme facilitators, mentors, stakeholders and representatives from partner agencies who contributed to the successful implementation of the initiative.
Implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development through its Community Recovery Unit (CRU), the ManUP Programme was designed to address critical social, emotional and economic challenges affecting males between the ages of 16 and 40, while promoting mentorship, accountability, employability, entrepreneurship and community leadership. The initiative also supports the government’s broader national development goals through structured interventions aimed at strengthening individuals, families and communities. As such, the graduation ceremony marked the culmination of a transformative journey for participants drawn from communities across Trinidad and Tobago.
Launched in January 2026, participants benefitted from a comprehensive curriculum which included:
- Man Cave Sessions
- Intensive Life Skills Training
- Faith, Inspiration and Values-Based Leadership Development
- Coaching and Counselling
- Apprenticeship Placements
- Entrepreneurship Training
- Digital Skills Workshops
- Legacy Community Projects
- Sports-Based Engagement Activities
In delivering the Feature Address, Minister Benjamin congratulated the graduates on their perseverance and commitment throughout the programme. She encouraged participants to continue building on the lessons learned, embrace opportunities for growth and use their experiences to positively influence their families, communities and future generations, stating,“The knowledge, values and experiences you have gained through ManUP must now be carried into your homes, workplaces and communities. As graduates of this programme, you have a responsibility to lead by example, uplift those around you and become ambassadors for positive change in all of Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development remains committed to advancing social transformation and nation building through initiatives such as ManUP and moreover, looks forward to the continued success of the graduates and the positive impact they will make as ambassadors of change within their respective communities.
