A MAYARONIAN WITH A VISION

Sometimes we see others success and have no idea what they had to go through to reach where they are today. In a collaborative effort effort between Akeme Clarke who's blog is entitled "A call to all Entrepreneurs" and myself we would like to highlight an entrepreneur from Mayaro. Enjoy...

"My name is Nathan Thomas and I am the proud owner of Ice Shak. I came up with this name because it reminds me of where I came from and the family I grew up with. I am from Mayaro but I live in San Fernando. My parents also are from Mayaro and they were born into a family of ice makers/sellers. I grew up with my parents living from hand to mouth, selling ice from the old red fridge that we had bought from my Aunt in Pierreville which borders Mayaro. That fridge was so noisy we had to put it in the back. Growing up in Mayaro was fun for me as a child, doing what boys do best. Playing football, fishing and all of that, but times were not so easy back then either. I have seven siblings before me so you know things were hard for me. I looked at my parents work so hard to provide for all of us and I said I have to be the one to step out. And I literally did that. I did not get an education but I knew I could count money very well and I could make and sell ice as well, so that is what I did. I took the family business a little further. I saw myself doing more than they did and watch me now. I have my own place, my own business and I am very happy. I know to a lot of people what I have may seem small and insignificant but if I tell you, them same people does come and buy my ice."
Mr. Thomas can be added to the ongoing list of successful individuals arising out of Mayaro. Taking what little he had and transforming it into a business is a great success and in the world of entrepreneurship he is making a significant contribution.

South vendor partakes in sale of ice from Mr.Thomas

COCONUT AND IT'S BENEFITS

Coconut tree

When entering Mayaro there is a long stretch of coconut trees swaying overhead, approximately a 20 minute drive before you meet the village of Ortoire. Coconut is a crop that have always been in abundance in Mayaro dated back to its historical roots. Historian Louis Borde wrote, "The coconut trees in Bande del Este, Mayaro landed there when a ship from the coast of Africa loaded with coconuts wrecked off the coast of Mayaro."  These trees give the community a picturesque look and provide great shade along the shores of the beaches. 

 Coconut water is the ultimate thirst quencher and offers a tasty alternative to water. This pure liquid is packed with nutrients that yield an array of health benefits. 

Coconut-The fruit itself

8 BENEFITS OF COCONUT WATER YOU DIDN'T KNOW  

• Aids in Weight-loss Efforts. 
• Ideal for Picture-Perfect Skin. 
• The Ultimate Hangover Remedy 
• Facilitates Digestion. 
• Boosts Hydration 
• Reduces Blood Pressure. 
• Rich in Nutrients. 
• Compatible with Human Blood 

Take a read to find out what it really does and how beneficial drinking coconut water can be.

CRAB HUNTING

Crab catching is an engaging recreational activity especially when the crabs are caught for eating. The main crabs used as food in Trinidad are land crabs known as the Blue Crab and the Hairy Crab. The Blue Crab generally lives in muddy places and the Hairy Crab usually lives in swampy places.


One of the methods used for catching these crabs is to use a trap and these are usually made of wood, bamboo or wire. Despite the material that the trap is made of, the concept of the design is the same. The trap has a door that is open, but when the crab takes the bait that is in the trap the door either drops shut or falls shut and cannot be opened by the crab from the inside. To attract the crab, bait of either dried coconut meat or large pieces of hot pepper are placed in the trap. Here is a video I made of how to make a crab trap.

 Another method that is used, but is one for the really brave, is to spot the crab entering its hole and then to push your hand into the hole and grab the crab. The claim made by those who use this method is that the crab cannot open its claws in the hole and so cannot pinch very hard. 

Probably the most enjoyable way to catch land crabs is to grab them with your hands as they come out of their holes and traverse the beach. The best time for indulging in this method of catching land crabs is at night during a full moon with a high tide. During this time the crabs come out their holes and cross the beach to release their eggs in the sea. They can thus be caught going to the sea or returning after releasing their eggs. This method, if done with friends, can result in hours of entertainment and is guaranteed to result in laughter especially if someone does not hold the crab properly or firmly. The safest method for catching the crab is to grab the crab from behind using the thumb and index finger and holding the crab by the body with the fingers positioned behind the pincers (gundy). This method is safe because the crab cannot reach behind itself with its pincers. Mayaro is a well known area for this type of crab catching and many individuals engage in this night time activity while on vacation at these beaches. 

PARADISE

If you are looking for a nice relaxing place to spend time with your friends and family, Mayaro is the place to be. The Mayaro Beach which skirts the Mayaro bay is one of the main pulling factors that bring people from all over the country to this relatively remote area, for time away from the hectic city life.  With over nine miles of water it is the largest bay of the Atlantic Ocean.

Miles of coconut trees lines the shores giving it a soothing and relaxing feel, making it the ideal beach for long walks or just taking in the sunrise or sunset. There are quite a number of guesthouses and small hotels along the beaches and also several properties for rent around the more popular bathing areas, in case you were thinking of paying us a visit.

An early morning or late evening walk along Mayaro Beaches would give you the opportunity to see nature at its best. The area is frequent with visitors for long weekends and holidays, who come to experience the beauties of this small community. Campers are seen on the sea shores especially for the Easter season.

An endless shoreline awaits for endless fun. If you want something to relax your mind or simply just a getaway from everything around Mayaro Beach is surely what you want, you’re guaranteed a great experience.

WINSTON "Gypsy" PETERS

Winston Peters is a former calypsonian and present politician serving as the Minister of Community Development under the current People’s Partnership government. He first entered politics in 2000 where he served as the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Mayaro under the United National Congress and was re-elected in 2001, 2007 and 2010. Putting all politics aside, Gypsy is a famous calypsonian who has been recognized for being one of the world's best Extempo artistes winning over seven Extempo titles. He won the Calypso Crown in 1997 with his famous hits "Little Black Boy" and “Rhythm of the Nation.”

Gypsy was known for singing political commentary, one of his best ever composed was his classic 1986 release “Sinking Ship” which was considered by most to be the crowning blow that brought on the downfall of the PNM government, which had been in power for nearly 30 years. He went on to compose forty-four (44) outstanding calypsos within his career as a calypsonian. He has had a roller-coaster career that has reached the extremes of peaks and valleys. In 1988 he was awarded the Trinidad & Tobago Chaconia Medal Silver for his contributions to the development of Calypso Music. Winston “Gypsy” Peters is yet another successful individual birthed out of the soil of Mayaro. For this post I was honored to collaborate with my friend Chantal Thomas who sketched a photograph of Mr. Peters himself. For more portrait sketches feel free to visit her blog, The Sketch Paper Project .

Sketched By: Chantal Thomas

A DISRUPTION IN THE COMMUNITY

Photograph By: Shonika Greenidge

Hundreds of residents in Mayaro and surroundings are in distress after the horrific event following a few days of torrential rainfalls. High levels of water surrounded the homes of many leaving them marooned. For those who were already out their only option was to wait hours before a boat came to their rescue. 

The roads were left impassable, schools banks, groceries and other businesses could not have operate as a result of rising waters. Farmers suffered thousand of dollars in losses as they watched their crops being washed away. It has been the worst the community has experience in a couple of years. No one and absolutely nothing was speared from the hard hit of the flood waters, animals searched for safe grounds and a place of comfort, where they can only hope that the waters don't reach them there.

 

Coast Guards, Members of the ODPM and the Disaster Management Unit of the Rio Claro/ Mayaro Regional Corporation were all a part of the response team to offer relief. Food, water and medical supplies were distributed to affected residents since they were unable to leave their homes for the past two days. 

 

When one is affected the entire community of Mayaro is affected and in this situation hundreds are affected and all they can do is pray and hope that the rainfall would cease. My heart goes out to all those who were affected by this tragic disaster.

ORTOIRE RIVER

Ortoire River
Photograph By: Pond 5

The deepest river in Trinidad and Tobago is located here in Mayaro, the Ortoire River. It is one of the longest and widest streams on the island, running 50km. The Ortoire River forms the northern boundary between Nariva and Mayaro County and its mouth is located at the southern end of Manzanilla Bay where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean. This river is not just the largest but it also has a long standing history, this said river was previously used by ships to transport goods around the island.

Mayaro was one of the most isolated places in Trinidad during the 19th century even though it boasted rich plantations of cotton, sugar and coconuts. Its only link with the rest of the island was via the Island Steamer which operated from 1818-1928. There was no road to Mayaro and the overland route from Sangre Grande utilized the long, firm beach of the Bande L'Est (Manzanilla) with its thousands of coconut trees. At Point Radix, a headland juts out and obstructs the beach as a road which then turns inland. This inland road had to cross the mighty and broad Ortoire River, being navigable by boats for more than 15 miles. From the 1870s at least, a wooden punt served as a ferry bridge over the Ortoire.

Ortoire River Ferry 1914
Photograph By: Trinbago Yesteryear

On each bank was a bell and one had to ring it to signal the ferryman who would pull the raft over and take one across for a penny. Horses, buggies and later automobiles crossed the river in this way.

It is usually green in color, however during the raining season it appears brown due to sediment in the water.

I remember growing up as a kid my dad would take us to the river for a swim and to me this was the best experience ever. People from Mayaro and outsiders both join together to make a cook or be entertained by the young men who would jump of the trees and “splash” into the waters. The Ortoire River is indeed a historical stream of water that we the people can still enjoy today.

CHIP-CHIP

Chip-Chip shells

Chip-chip (Donax striatus), a bivalve with bluish white to pink shells that is found buried in the sand in the inter-tidal zone is abundant in Mayaro. Regarded by some as an aphrodisiac, chip-chip is a delicacy that can be prepared in various ways. The most common is curried chip-chip which can be eaten with almost anything; however I love it with a variety of ground provision. The water produced from this shell fish found its way into the calypso world, when in 1930, King Radio, a Barbadian calypsonian, sang, "If you want to keep the body in order, then lick me down with some chip chip water and if you think ah lie give some to you daughter." The chip-chip water is used to wash the substance inside the shell before cooking or some people uses it to cook the chip-chip itself. 

Digging for chip-chip in the sand can be a fun activity especially if it is done in a group. What you see on the sand is a closed shell which you then have to open to get the chip-chip and it's water. When visiting Mayaro you can take a walk along the beautiful beaches and collect some chip-chip to make a great cook.

Chip-Chip on the sea shores

During the Dry Season, February through April, there is literally a bounty of fresh chip-chip (mini clams) at your feet.

Tip To collect chip-chip

Look for clusters of small dimples in the sand close to the waters edge at low tide. Now, simply dig them out with your hands and put them into the kitchen sieve you brought along and wash off the sand. Then either scald them by pouring a little boiling water over them to make them easier to open, or place them in clean, clear seawater for a day, to give them time to expel any sand in their gut, and open them by hand.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MAYARONIAN

Edric Connor Park Mayaro

When you enter the village

of Mayaro directly opposite the gas station you would see Edric Connor Park, but many don't actually know who Edric Connor is and what he has done to be given a play park in his name. Connor was a pioneering calypso singer, folklorist and actor from Mayaro. He migrated to England in 1944 where he worked and lived until his death from a stroke in London at the age of 55.

Connor was responsible in 1951 for taking Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra to the Festival of Britain. In 1956 he recorded a Manchester United Football song entitled the "Manchester United Calypso".

In 1952, teamed with a singing group, he released Songs from Jamaica, a groundbreaking LP of Jamaican folk music credited to Edric Connor & the Caribbeans, on the Argo label. Acting came to dominate Connor's career during his final decade, in which he worked in several major epic movies and some prominent British television shows.

Edric Connor

Between 1956 and the date of his death he acted in several
plays, becoming the first black actor to perform for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford. Connor acted in a total of 18 films and was best noted for his role as Daggoo in Moby Dick. In the 1960s, he appeared on British television in three series: Danger Man; The Avengers; and Man In A Suitcase and later performed in many more. 

In 1956, with his wife, Pearl Connor, Edric established the first black theatrical agency in the UK. In 1961 Connor became Britain’s first black film director when he directed Bound for Lagos, commissioned by the government of Nigeria. Edric Connor dedicated his life to promoting black arts and campaigning for the rights of black artists in Britain. In 2002, in recognition of Edric Connor’s achievements, Screen Nation, an organisation that honours black actors and performers and that has been called the ‘Black Bafta’s’ created an Edric Connor Trailblazer Award for people in the television and film industries. Today in Mayaro we have the Edric Connor Play Park in honour of his great achievements.

Edric Connor Park

References

Artist Biography By Bruce Eder 

Edric Connor

TROLLING FISHING

In a previous blog post I discussed seine fishing which is a common fishing method used by fishermen in Mayaro, however this is not the only method used, there is also Trolling. While seine fishing is done on the sea shores, trolling is where these fishermen actually goes out into the waters on their boats and catch fishes using bait rather than nets. Trolling is a method of fishing where one or more fishing lines baited with bait fish are drawn through the water. This may be behind a moving boat or by slowly winding the line in when fishing from a static position, or even sweeping the line from side to side.

This kind of fishing takes a lot of time and patience usually it takes an entire day to catch a fair amount of fishes, sometimes the boat may have to move around the ocean or set position for hours to find the right place where most fishes would come to eat their bait. If you are persistent one tide could get you a great catch. These fishermen do this for a living so it is indeed a fun activity for them and the means by which they support their family on a day to day basis. Fishing has become the lifestyle for many families here in Mayaro, it is indeed a lot of hard work but it is how some families make an honest living while utilizing our natural resources here in Mayaro. 

One day's catch of trolling fishing 

Check out some more of my videos on trolling fishing.

A SUCCESSFUL ATHLETE

Photograph by: Ian Walton/Getty Images Sport

Cleopatra Borel-Brown is one of Mayaro’s precious gifts who have proudly represented T&T in the field of shot put. Coming from the remote area of Plaisance, Mayaro, she faced some difficulties in chasing her dreams, but this never stopped her. When Cleopatra was growing up in Mayaro, it was a rural district without any state-of-the-art facilities for sport.  However, her father, Raymond, always had an interest in sports and had trained as an athlete in high school.  Borel’s father taught her and her siblings everything he knew about track and field events, including the skill of throwing.

Deciding early on that shot putting suited her capabilities and determined to display the strength she knew she possessed, Cleopatra actively engaged in the sport, practised assiduously and built up her stamina and skills. In 1998, at the age of nineteen, she moved to the U.S.A. and entered Coppin State University in Maryland. Here she hoped to advance in her track and field goals and for a time the atmosphere at the college worked for her. However, when her coach retired, Cleopatra transferred to the University of Maryland. There she was advised to pursue three years of athletics before advancing to do what she desired.

Borel’s fortitude and indomitable spirit was such that she also completed a Bachelor’s Degree in health psychology at Coppin State University, while never losing sight of her goals with respect to the shot put.

Photograph by: Ian Walton/Getty Images Sport

Cleopatra can easily qualify as being one of the most enduring and widely competitive women field athletes of Trinidad and Tobago (T&). She specialized in the shot put while also competing in the hammer throw on occasion. In 2012, she counted a third consecutive appearance at the Olympic Games while also having logged two or more appearances at Games such as the Commonwealth, CAC, Pan Am and World Championships.

Borel has gained the respect of fellow competitors for her sheer grit, fortitude, determination and competitiveness. Her sterling efforts and accomplishments have earned her choices as Trinidad and Tobago’s Sports Woman of the Year on more than one occasion. Borel has worked as an Assistant Coach at Virginia Tech, an experience the young people of Trinidad and Tobago whom she inspires benefit from as she passes on her knowledge and vast practical experience. Evidence of her world class star ranking is apparent; she placed second to three-time world and two-time Olympic champion, Valerie Adams, of New Zealand on two occasions in March, 2013.

Her personal best throw is 19.42 metres, achieved in August 2010 at the London Grand Prix in London. She has a personal best of 19.48 metres on the indoor track, achieved in February 2004 in Blacksburg. Borel is currently ranked 14^th on the world’s 2007 outdoor shot put list. Here is a full list of her achievements. Miss Borel is another proud product birthed out of this rich Mayaro soil.

Photograph by: Ian Walton/Getty Images Sport

THE WAY KIDS GREW UP

I remember growing up fun was being outside with friends and playing a good game of catch, hide and seek or some other outdoor activity, but this is not what our younger generation knows about today. There's no we in playing, there's only selfies, Ipad, Iphone, and all the other I's, television, video games and all the other technological devices, that has taken over kids minds. Most children don't know what outside looks like but only when they really need to leave the house to go to school or anywhere else. I remember my parents had to beg us to come inside but today most parents would beg their child to go outside, which I found to be really SAD. 

However when I walk around in my community I can still say there's hope, kids running and laughing, playing a good game of moral, scooch and hop-scotch, yes I know you haven't heard about these games in ages. 

Moral Box

These were the games I knew about, the games I grew up on, the things kids do to have a good laugh, well that's before all these technological advancements. The weekend were the days to look forward to because play time was even longer, and we all hoped that it could never be over, FUN TIMES. I feel so happy to see kids in my community being active rather than glued in front of a laptop or tablet for the entire day. This is by far the healthier choice and to me the best way to have some good fun.

Kids playing a game of scooch

 

FOLKLORE-The mystery of the soucouyant

Despite it becoming nearly extinct, folklore has been a major part of the village of Mayaro. Growing up your grandparents, great grandparents or the elderly in the village would always have a mysterious story to be told. The most common of those was the legend of the Soucouyant. Described as a reclusive old woman, who sheds her skin at night and turns into a flying fireball that sucks the blood of humans. In her true form, as a fireball she flies across the dark sky in search of a victim. The soucouyant can enters the home of her victim through any sized hole like cracks, crevices and keyholes. My fellow classmate is currently doing her blog on folklore so i decided to collaborate with her for this post. For more details on the soucouyant, what it does, where it came from and how to catch it, you can visit her blog Bump In The Night BITN and take a good read. 

Growing up in Mayaro I've heard endless stories about the soucouyant, and though I was not a victim, I know a lot of people who have been sucked by one. However what I can tell you is my experience of witnessing a ball of fire dashed across the dark skies, this image remained vivid in my mind from then till now. I was just about 10 years old and was on my way home from church with my mother, uncle, sister and cousins. Just around 10: 30 pm on the manzanilla road, Mayaro, my uncle and my mother left us in the car to drop out a friend who got a ride home with us. The place was pitched dark since at that point in time there were no street lights on that stretch of road. While waiting for them to return my sister and I stepped out of the vehicle to get some fresh air, when a bright light reflected on the road. Upon looking up we saw a huge ball of fire shoot across the sky, without hesitation we started running and screaming towards our parents direction to tell them what we saw, but by the time we got there it vanished. This was the scariest experience I ever encountered in my life. A memory sketched in my mind never to be erased.

As I mentioned before back then there were little lighting on the roads so the place was dark in most places, that was one of the reasons why the soucouyant was commonly seen in the village of Mayaro. Now it has basically died out with the improvements made in the community, it is a brighter and livelier village than before. Very rear now you would hear someone say “ah soucouyant suck meh last night.” So if you do want to hear about one of these stories you would  have to get it from the older people's mouth. 

Last year I had to opportunity, together with TGN Media group, to interview some people in my community about what they know about the soucouyant and produce a documentary film. This video was shown at Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival and it gives you a good idea of what the soucouyant is about and measures to keep her away. Take a look.

A HISTORICAL LANDMARK

The first mission church that was built here in Mayaro by the Arawaks 45 years ago, is the same place where Mayaro Roman Catholic Church stands today. Mayaro came into recorded history in 1690 when Capuchin priests from Catalunia in Spain arrived at Trinidad, at the request of a Spanish governor, to convert the natives to the “Holy Roman Catholic faith.” They founded missions, some of which have today become well-known villages such as Savoneta, Mayo and Tortuga, San Rafael and Princes Town, as well as the very first mission to be founded, Purísima Concepcion de Naparima, now the City of San Fernando.

These brave missionaries spent three years at this task, founding missions, with sometimes just one remaining behind and the rest moving on to search for natives to convert. Sixteen of these missionaries had arrived at the Arawak village of Naparima (now San Fernando) in 1687 and in 1690 the last two of them reached a large Arawak village on the east coast. Happily they built a mission church here. But what did the Arawaks call this place? They called it “Mayaro.” Although no one can tell what became of the original mission church, one knows exactly where it was, because it is still the site of the Mayaro Roman Catholic church.

Mayaro Roman Catholic Church

FLORA- Natural Beauty

I can't help but appreciate my natural surroundings here in Mayaro. The vast variety of naturally grown flora is a sight that I wake up to each and every day. It gives me a sense of appreciation for God's creation and the many marvels he placed up this land. 

It puts you in a place of relaxation and a peaceful state of mind. Nothing annoys me more than when someone ask me where I live and their response to my answer is "or in the bush," No people I live among NATURAL BEAUTIES. Most of the times they have never even been to Mayaro, but that is just the perception of many. I see beyond the 'bush', on the surface lies a beauty that cannot be compared to any other. In both images which I took, the background is bushy but to me what is in the foreground outweigh the bush. Mayaro is an area with an abundance of beautiful sights and scenery, a place that I love so dearly. 

SEINE FISHING

Seine Fishing or "pulling seine" is a common activity seen on the shores of beaches in Mayaro. The Fishing industry have became a major part of this community and a means of livelihood for many families in Mayaro. So some may be familiar with this method of fishing while others may not. A seine is basically a fishing net that hangs vertically in the water with its bottom edge held down by weights and its top edge buoyed by floats. These nets are deployed from the shores and cast into the sea, bringing in dozens of fishes to land. A lot of man power is needed in this type of fishing method in order to bring all these fishes to shore. 

Big catch at Mayaro beach

Last month fishermen made a big catch of over a hundred cavalli here in Mayaro. Seine fishing to me is such a marvelous site and one of my favourite activity to witness. Residents often visit these sites and are given a fish or two to cook for the families, and then fishermen sell these fishes to earn an honest living. Here is some more pictures of seine fishing in Mayaro.

  

COUNTRY vs. CITY

Many people don’t like the country because “it’s away from everything” as they would say or it’s too lonely or to quiet, and all sort of different reasons, but I prefer this country life any day, any time. So you may be wondering what could I possibly love soooo much that the city don't have? 

The air is far more cleaner, imagine waking up every morning to the fresh scent of nature and not just seeing buildings all around, nothing beats that. This fresh air is healthier than the fumes released by factories and vehicles in the city. 

Peace and Quiet- I love the quietness of the counrty. I could never imagine hearing the horns of cars day and night. 

Scenery- sometimes I just take a stroll around my neighborhood to appreciate the beautiful nature God has placed upon this land. From the animals to the plants, beaches and rivers, there is soo much around you to enjoy each and everyday in the country. Houses are surrounded by pure nature that has a calming effect on your body and mind. 

Very little or no crime takes place here, you can walk the streets not wondering if someone would break in your home while you are away. Your neighbours are your watchmen they look out for you and as i mentioned in my previous post "we are one" the people of the community have your back. There isn't that much solidarity in the city.  

The people are warm and friendly. Hello, Hi, how are you are a natural part of our conversations whereas in the city most people just ignore you or passes you straight. 

These are just some of reasons why I think COUNTRY LIFE IS THE BEST....

A GEM OF MAYARO'S SOIL

Mayaro Lagoon
Acrylic Wash, 1975
Photograph By: Art Society of T&T

 Edwin Hingwan was born and raised in Mayaro in 1932. He lived here for his entire life but at the age of 20 he became afflicted with polio. He was sent to England for medical treatment but the young trainee engineer never recovered and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Having lost the ability to hold the paint brush a special device was made which enabled him to continue painting. The brush was attached to one of his limbs and with the canvas propped in front of him he persevered and became one of Trinidad's most accomplished artists. In one year he produced over 100 paintings. He died in February 17, 1976 at the age of 43, succumbing to the disease that left him paralysed for 23 years. At the National Awards ceremony of that year he was awarded the Chaconia Medal (Silver) posthumously for his contribution to the arts.Culture plays a key role in Mayaro. At Hingwan Drive the abandoned house in which Edwin Hingwan lived still stands at Hingwan Drive Mayaro. 

Below are some more paintings done by Mr. Hingwan.

Moonlight at Manzanilla
Watercolour - 1969 
Photograph By: Art Society of T&T

Mayaro Bridge
 Photograph By: Art Society of T&T

River Scene | 1975 | Edwin "Ou" Hing Wan | Watercolour 
Photograph By: Art Society of T&T

WE ARE ONE

The people of this small community are closely knit together and are true supporters of one another. It’s a place where everyone know who their neighbors are, and can easily identify one another.  Well that’s a unique and special characteristic about us and I love it, a people looking out for each other, a togetherness and love that’s rare to find these days. Whether it’s academic, art, sports or any other talent that’s uprising in this area, the people are all behind your journey to success because they see this not just as an individual achievement but as an upliftment to the entire community as a whole. 

Last year we saw a great example of this with our very own football club who was crowned the champions of the Blink Bmobile Super League.  Villagers came out in their numbers and gave a 100% support to “our boys.” There was no limit, we made our presence felt even in our sister island when games had to be played there. Where ever the team was our 1000 plus supporters were there, a unity many across the country marveled to see.

This photo just shows one section of the supporters there were much more...

Whatever the occasion is the people of Mayaro are ready and willing to stand with you, an entire community that has your back. This is yet another reason why I love where I’m from, a people living by the motto “WE ARE ONE”.