On Friday 3rd July, 2020, the Rotary Club of Maraval (RCoM), through the kind sponsorship of People’s Bridge Foundation and in partnership with Smith Robertson & Company Limited, donated feminine hygiene products for one hundred and fifty (150) female inmates at Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service.
The donation was received on behalf of the female inmates by Commissioner of Prison, Mr. Dennis Pulchan, the Deputy Commission of Prison in the Programmes and Industry Department, Mr. Deopersad Ramoutar and Senior Superintendent of Prison in the Programmes and Industry Department, Mr. Patrick King at the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service Headquarters on Phillip Street, Port of Spain.
Mr. Pulchan expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the kind donation and acknowledged RCoM’s long standing relationship with the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service. He made special mention of the RCoM’s Past President Marie Dalton-Brown who has spearheaded a free eye testing and eye wear programme for the inmates at the Maximum Security Prison for twenty (20) years.
At the handover of the products, newly-installed President Giselle Holder and Immediate Past President Marcia Prince Assam highlighted the Rotary organization’s focus on “Service Above Self” and its renewed commitment each year to serve the community through its projects focused on literacy and youth. Service Projects Chair and Past President Mary Charles, who was the driving force behind this project, also remarked that RCoM had been truly fortunate to share a mutually beneficial relationship with the Prison Service as the RCoM also supports and attends the cultural activities put on by the inmates throughout the year.
Coming out of this visit, the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service identified new opportunities for deepening its partnership with the Rotary Club of Maraval such as the need for motivational and developmental speakers for the female inmates. With the installation of RcoM’s new 2020-2021 Board on July 1st, the Club stands ready to provide this additional support to the Prison Service as it continues the execution of several other community-based projects in Maraval, Rampanalgas and throughout Trinidad and Tobago.