In recent months, news surrounding the St Dominic’s Children’s Home has not portrayed the institution in the most positive light.
The 2021 Judith Jones Report and the resurrection of the 1997 Robert Sabga Report revealed harrowing tales about abuse behind the institution’s walls and at other children’s homes across the country.
These reports have encouraged former residents to come forward and tell their stories after the T&T Police Service launched investigations into the allegations raised in them.
“These things happened long before, we are not even aware of it,” one resident of St Dominic’s Children’s Home said on Thursday.
It’s why the management and current residents are working assiduously to change the narrative, starting with highlighting the 18 residents who recently graduated from cosmetology and agriculture courses.
Through the home’s trade school and the National Examinations Council (NEC) at the Ministry of Education, the residents studied the basics of each course. In fact, some did both.
“It was actually the best moments I had,” one student said after she admitted that there were times she wanted to give up.
The resident said she can now, “part like a boss,” braid hair and do manicures and pedicures.
She said agriculture was more challenging for her but thanked the teachers for not giving up on her and her peers.
“They change me for the better...I just wish I could have stayed here forever but we can’t do that,” she said.
The residents, all between the ages of 14 to 18, on Thursday collected their level one certificates from the ministry, which pledged to continue providing training for them.
“We stand ready, Sister, to provide support...we want to see St Dominic’s as one of the premier training vocational institutions in Trinidad and Tobago,” Chief Examiner of NEC, Paula Ferguson, said.
Manager of the Belmont home, Sister Arlene Greenidge, congratulated the residents and thanked them for their determination in the last year, amid the delays due to the pandemic.
“This is your day,” she told the graduates.
But she also told them this was just the beginning of their journey, adding that they are the country’s future.
“We believe in you, we love you,” she said.
One of the teachers said with a “little push,” the children rose to the occasion when it became necessary.
“There were times when we heard remarks like ‘I don’t feel like coming to class’ or ‘Miss or Sir I sick,’” she said.
Another lecturer, Andrew Homer, said even with their doubts the residents still showed up and excelled.
“The sky’s the limit. I know this was supposed to be a vote of thanks, but I could not go as an educator without totally recognising the effort,” Homer said.
Homer also thanked the matrons for motivating the graduates and ensuring they kept up with their studies. The graduates cheered on each other as they collected their certificates. Some of their relatives were also in the audience to offer support.
The St Dominic’s trade school and the ministry plan to continue collaborating in vocational education, adding livestock training will be next on the agenda.