Sea Lots given a ray of hope with Eternal Light Vocational School

By Klysha Best

There are some communities within Trinidad and Tobago that just the mere mention of their names and citizens will immediately link it and its residents to crime, gang violence, poverty and in some instances, describe them as communities of political convenience.

Sea Lots is one such area.

However, Deborah de Rosia, a veteran educator and Foundress of the recently opened Eternal Light Community Vocational School at Sea Lots, saw something different.

She saw hope.

When God called on her approximately eight years ago to create a space of learning for the people of the community she answered.

The vocational school was blessed and officially opened on Sunday, August 18. ‘Sister Debbie’ said the vocational school followed years of walking, visiting, and praying with the residents of the Sea Lots community.

When the decision was made to embark on this physical structure, Sister Debbie said the search began for a space and it was Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon who found it.

Of course nothing is built overnight.

Through the Archbishop, the Ministry of Education, the Republic Bank Limited and the residents of Sea Lots, however, it came to fruition.

Sister Debbie said: “The Eternal Light Community Vocational School will cater for a minimum of 100 students. The building itself can accommodate approximately 125 to 150, but we would prefer to keep it at a minimum.”

“It is our hope that the classes would be small between 10 to 15 persons, as we aim to give each child or adult that individual care and attention.”

Vicar General, Fr Martin Sirju seen blessing some of the rooms with Holy Water

The school will house a nursery and teach ten disciplines – all chosen beforehand during discussion with the residents of the community.

“There will be academic subjects like Math and Language Arts, along with the skills-based subjects like Cosmetology, Food and Nutrition, Plumbing, Electrical, Tailoring, Auto Mechanics, Geriatric Nursing and even Marine Studies,” said Sister Debbie.

“We will also have a nursery for the girls who already have babies and think they cannot go back to school. We will be teaching others about how to care for the children in the nursery. So, no one has an excuse to say they have a ‘popo’ to mind and they can’t come to school.”

The classes will be split between morning and evening sessions.

Archbishop Gordon, during his homily, praised Republic Bank for going above and beyond to assist and the residents that helped work on the building.

He said, “This house was built by wisdom and built for the instruction and education of this community, Sea Lots.”

He called on the community of Sea Lots to see the school as their own and understand that it is for their children and the generations after, “So that three generations from now they are not facing the same challenges that they are facing today.”

Archbishop Gordon said, “If the community understands that and protects it then this house that wisdom has built, will be a house of real joy.”

He said it is an important milestone for the journey of this community and a milestone for the Eternal Light Community and the Church’s ministry within the community.

Archbishop Gordon said as long as some communities remain under-developed, the problems plaguing the whole nation will not be solved.

“The only way to move the nation from where we are, to where God wants us to be as a country is for a significant commitment to the development of communities.”

“And that is what we are thanking God for today, a significant commitment to the development of this community. This school has to be a beacon of light not only in this Sea Lots community, but for all our troubled communities in East Port of Spain. A beacon of light of what can happen. A way for the young and our old to

develop and flourish in this community and find a pathway to grow and become everything God wants us to be.”

Education Minister, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, who also spoke at the opening, said she was grateful to the Catholic Church, for their continued consistent efforts over the years, in helping those who are most vulnerable.

She said: “What we see here could not have come about without love and care for this country.” The Minister noted that there are many children within our education system who need more help than they can get there.

She added: “It is not that there are not structures in place within the regular, mainstream, school system to help children and to help parents. It is not that they don’t exist, but what is a fact is that there are some children who need more than that. They need structure, they need individual attention, to be able to achieve their truest potential. And can they achieve it? Yes!”

She said every single one of our children is a precious life full of potential that given the right environment can blossom.

Dr Gadsby-Dolly said the Eternal Light Community Vocational School “is an inspiration for all of us, because in every way, we can give back. Each of us has something to give back and to contribute to our country.”

“Our callings are different…But if we all believe that we are called to give back, even if it’s one child, one person, then let us do so.”

Sherwin Forte, Manager, Corporal Security, Republic Bank, who was filling in for the bank’s CEO Nigel Baptiste, said “This initiative represents a significant step forward in our shared responsibility and collective journey towards empowering our communities, and more importantly, our young people.”

“Through our Power to Make a Difference Programme, PMAD, particularly under the power to learn and power to succeed pillars, we are proud to support noble initiatives just like this one.”

He said this school is not just a building, “it is built with wisdom.”

“It is a beacon of hope offering new opportunities for skills development and personal growth. It stands as a testament to our commitment to achieving the sustainable development goal for education.”

“By supporting the Eternal Light Community Vocational School, we are not only investing in education, but also youth empowerment. We are empowering the next generation.”

“This partnership with Republic Bank reflects our dedication and our commitment to creating a brighter future for all. Together we can ensure that every young person has the tools, knowledge and support they need to succeed.”

He said Republic Bank is proud to be a part of this journey and look forward to seeing the incredible impact this school will have on the lives of many.

“We have come here today because of a commitment, let us now practice consistency.”

Anyone interested in volunteering to teach a specific skill, or enrolling at the Eternal Light Community Vocational School can call 645-0525.