For the past 26 years, the Rotary Club of Princes Town has made an indelible impact with its various charitable works and contributions targeted toward the Princes Town community and surrounding environs.
According to Jamir Ousman, the president of the club, their main charitable projects are furthering education and medical outreach clinics. Since its inception, the club has contributed more than $650,000 towards the field of education by providing scholarships to deserving students pursuing their tertiary education, giving them assistance to advance in their professional lives. With the removal of GATE funding from the Government, the Rotary Club has noted an increase in scholarship assistance annually and more so throughout the year for additional funding and support from deserving students. Funds generated for this venture is from one of the club's annual fundraiser—Chokhafest, Ousman said.
"The medical outreach programme spearheaded by members of the Princes Town Rotary together with very faithful professional volunteers is another important aspect of the Rotary Club's impact in the community," he said.
The Rotary Club typically conducts four to five medical outreach programmes annually primarily aimed at rural communities in south Trinidad where people have little to no access to medical care and other professional relief services. Services include providing medication, counselling, referrals, doctors' examination, dental examination, legal advice and testing for high blood pressure and cholesterol. At these projects, toiletries and gently worn clothing are also provided for the community members.
Given the recent surge in the involvement of youths in crime in T&T over the past three years, the Rotary Club of Princes Town has directed its efforts to ensure our youths are fully engaged and have other positive aspects of personal growth and development. Consequent, over the last three year, the Rotary Club of Princes together with the dedicated principals and teachers of the Princes Town West Secondary School, St Stephen's College and Cowen Hamilton Secondary School have formed three Interact Clubs—comprising youth between the ages of 12-18.
The Interact Clubs work under the umbrella and guidance of the Rotary Club to foster the development of these young people through various aspects of leadership and the various works they do in their school and local communities.
The Rotary Club continues to partner with various local organisations in T&T such as the Diabetes Association, Down Syndrome/Autistic Foundation and the Cerebral Palsy Society of T&T to offer diagnostic and clinical aid to those affected.