With rural schools facing ongoing furniture shortages, San Fernando businessman Andy Balgobin has pledged $120,000 in donations to supply desks and chairs to some of the country’s most underserved rural schools.
He made the announcement at the Rapid Fire Kidz Foundation annual Gala Fundraising Dinner at Achievors Banquet Hall in Duncan Village, San Fernando, on Saturday night.
Balgobin’s announcement followed complaints from teachers and parents of Mayaro Secondary School that there was no furniture for students at the start of the term.
President of the foundation Kevin Ratiram thanked Balgoin, saying they will coordinate to ensure the school furniture get to the schools by going through the appropriate channels.
Meanwhile, guest speaker Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a noted advocate for youth welfare, used the platform to emphasise the urgent need to “safeguard the future of our nation’s children.”
Calling for unity in the face of what he described as societal “monsters,” Dr Teelucksingh implored citizens to take action, warning, “We must arm ourselves to destroy these ‘monsters’ that have eroded the fabric of our community and society. And, you don’t need a firearm to destroy these monsters.”
He highlighted seven metaphorical “monsters,” or societal challenges, calling upon everyone to confront these forces.
Among the “monsters” he described, the first was a dual-headed menace—ignorance and intolerance. Teelucksingh called for education as the primary weapon in this battle, noting that tolerance and understanding are essential in schools, communities and homes.
“The ignorance monster has promoted the culture of bullying and peer pressure that has invaded our country,” he said, adding that without tolerance, society will continue to fragment along lines of gender, religion, and ethnicity.
“Every child deserves to be nurtured in a peaceful, inclusive environment,” he urged.
Teelucksingh said the “gambling vampire” lures people with false promises of wealth. He lamented the growing popularity of gambling, saying, “This vampire is draining the resources of families, wasting both time and money.”
He expressed frustration that wealthy citizens often contribute to this cycle by funding casinos and gaming establishments, rather than investing in healthcare, social support, or education.
“Imagine the impact if these donations went to community needs instead,” he told the audience.
He also warned parents of the “spiritual emptiness” that he believes results from neglecting faith and ethical principles.
“Some of our young people are like zombies, mindlessly following societal pressures,” he said.
He stressed the importance of instilling moral guidance in children from an early age. He warned that an obsession with wealth leads to selfishness, urging attendees to embrace charity and empathy instead.
“Material things can fill pockets, but charity and love fill the heart,” he said, quoting Mother Teresa and Gandhi to illustrate his point.
“Our greatest wealth is measured not in dollars but in the kindness we extend to others,” he added.
Teelucksingh also spoke about the “bloodthirsty dragon” of violence and the alarming rate of child abuse and murder.
“Every day, innocent lives are lost and the nation watches,” Teelucksingh said as he implored citizens to take action.
Reflecting on colonial history, he spoke of “ghosts of colonialism” that continue to influence attitudes and behaviours in modern T&T.
Rather than erasing the past, he advised, “We must learn from it, honour it, and move forward with pride in our culture.”
Teelucksingh commended the foundation for its work and called for continued collaboration among NGOs, community groups, and citizens.
