He was an ordinary man who did ordinary things...touching the lives of many.
That’s how Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley described Vision on Mission (VOM) founder and president Wayne Chance, as hundreds turned up yesterday at the Divine Encounter Fellowship Ministries International, D’Abadie, to pay their last respects to one they called a fallen soldier.
Chance, 47, a father of three died on November 24.
Among those who attended the funeral service were National Security Minister Stuart Young, senior counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, pastor Gary Grant and former Commissioner of Prisons Gerard Wilson.
Delivering the eulogy, Anna Robinson and Sherry-ann Lindsey said as a teen, Chance came to know the lord, but unfortunately, the pressures of life and bad company led him to a life of crime.
Chance was sentenced to eight years in prison for attempted robbery.
Following his release in 2001, Chance had already formed VOM to help rehabilitate prisoners and provided restorative justice for which he received the Humming Bird Silver award in 2010.
Paying glowing tribute, Dr Rowley described Chance as an ordinary man who did ordinary things.
“Wayne was certainly the first person in this country...that ordinary man who wanted to help these prisoners for whom everybody else turned their backs on them.”
Rowley said Chance was the first who stood up for “the least of the apostles” mainly those who were ashamed of themselves, the homeless, voiceless and hungry.
“For me, if Wayne was big in the dance one does not get bigger than that. Putting others and sacrificing himself.”
Rowley said there is a shortcoming in T&T that we are all guilty of.
“The fact that we think it is all about us. It’s about me. I want more. I must have this. I am entitled to that. I deserve that. But Wayne Chance was saying for other people you need this and I am going to help you.”
Rowley said Chance had the true calling of an apostle who saved lives and protected people, stating that a grateful nation has taken note of his sacrifices and hard work.
The PM said the nation cannot put a dollar value on Chance’s accomplishments for those he helped.
“But I know there is a figure in keeping Vision on Mission alive and going. And it falls for those of us who are in charge of the nation’s coffers to ensure that that figure is not depleted. I give you my word,” Rowley said.
Chance’s father Kenneth Rampersad said Chance was his last son “and the first to go. The sudden tragic death should make us all look at our lives and how we are living.”
Rampersad said due to his son’s hectic life he failed to make time for his family.
“He evolved into a statesman in all areas,” Rampersad said.
Also paying tribute, Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC said he learnt a few lessons from Chance - one being you can always help someone do good.
Former Prisons Commissioner Wilson said he admired Chance who led a cause bigger than himself and strongly believed that ex-prisoners deserved a second chance in life.
“He was a giant of a leader amongst us all,” Wilson said.
Young said Chance touched many lives through his contribution to society.
“It is important that everyone in society understands how important it is to give people a second chance.”
Young said Chance helped scores of deportees get back on their feet.