Otto Carrington
Senior Reporter
otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt
Months after graduating from the Military-Led Academic Training Programme (MiLAT), 20-year-old Christian Chandree, from Four Roads, Tamana, is facing difficulties finding employment.
Chandree, who excelled during the MiLAT programme, is also grappling with the devastating loss of his mother, who died last December.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Chandree explained, “Well, I’m actually concerned for myself and my peers about what comes next. We were successful, yes, but what’s the next step for us? We may have goals and dreams, but how are we going to accomplish them? What opportunities are there for us to pursue in order to achieve those things? That’s the concern I have for myself and my peers.”
He said the death of his mother from cancer was even more heart-wrenching.
“It hasn’t made things any easier, obviously,” he said.
“It’s difficult, especially at a young age, to experience such a loss. It left me confused, unsure of where to look, where to turn, what to do, or what not to do. I am an adult and aware of right and wrong, but there’s just certain advice a mother can give that you can’t figure out on your own.”
So far, Chandree has been attending job interviews across the country, and had an interview with a local bank just hours before he spoke to Guardian Media.
He attained six CSEC passes during the MiLAT programme.
“We’ve changed a lot and achieved a lot. Coming back into the world, we now see the true value of what was taught to us in the programme. Without that experience, I think I would’ve seen things in a simple, one-dimensional way, but now my eyes have been opened, and I can see things in full colour, rather than just in black and white,” he said.
Chandree added that he did not feel neglected.
He said, “I wouldn’t say we’re neglected, but it feels like we’re crying out to deaf ears, more or less. It’s not that we’re being ignored entirely, but it feels like they’re just not paying attention to us. I don’t know if it’s a choice or if they simply don’t notice, but they’re not looking our way.”
The 20-year-old’s story started when his mother began having issues with his behaviour, and she asked for assistance from the Community Policing Unit of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) and then the Father’s Association of T&T, who helped him get into the MiLAT programme.
“We need opportunities in place for us after the programme. I’m not asking to be spoon-fed, but rather for the chance to learn and then be given the right tools to succeed. I’m not saying you have to hand us everything, but provide us with solid avenues to pursue after achieving all these great things. We can’t just achieve and then return to society as if nothing has changed,” Chandree said.
“We can’t just achieve and then walk amongst everyone else as if nothing has changed. We were given a specific type of training and a unique vision to see things in society. Now, give us the opportunity to make that vision a reality.”
With limited options and the risk of becoming another statistic, Chandee has turned to the TTPS Community Policing Unit and the Father’s Association, the same organisations that initially helped him enrol in the MiLAT programme.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Sgt Jacey Small, of the Police Service Community Unit for Central, reflected on his first encounter with Chandree and expressed pride in how far he had come.
He said, “If I had my way, I’d employ him in the morning. He really stands out. When he first reached out to my lot, he was just a bit late for the application deadline, but he missed it by only a small margin.”
Sgt Small continued, “I really pray that something works out for him soon. He deserves it. When I dealt with him personally, I felt that being harsh wasn’t the right approach. I’m going to talk to him and find out what’s going on. We even had to submit a child in need of supervision application to the Children’s Court. Thankfully, the Children’s Court doesn’t take a punitive approach when dealing with juveniles.”
Chandree led the MiLAT programme in the Independence Day parade and excelled in many areas.
Father’s Association president Rhondall Feeles, acknowledged that it was Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young who assisted Chandree.
“I must admit, when Sergeant Small reached out to us, it was late. I contacted Minister Stuart Young and told him about a particular young man who really needed the opportunity. I believed if he got in, it would make a difference. It pleases me to see that he was able to join, even after the deadline, and became the top cadet. Imagine if he hadn’t been given that chance,” he said.
Feeles believes Government should also widen the catchment for youths in T&T.
He said, “The catchment process and age need to be revisited. At 16, which is the catchment age for MiLAT and most of these programmes, we’re already seeing young men getting murdered at 15 and becoming shooters at 16. We’re missing the ages of 11 and 12, where we should be focusing on reaching and reforming these youth before they fall into the wrong paths.”