1. National service programs and proposals
Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Lincoln Myers
Founding Minister
National Training and Service
The National Training and Service Program (NTSP) was established by the government on September 1, 1990. The program is voluntary and focuses on the nation's youths. Although service to the community and the country is the major focus, NTSP also caters to the participants' training and developmental needs and provides them with opportunities to express their varied talents. Each participant receives a stipend of TT$100 (US$25) per week. By the end of 1991, more than 500 young men and women were enrolled in NTSP and were working on a number of projects in groups of about 50 each.
Duration. There is no precise duration of service because the program is entirely voluntary. Participants, however, are assigned to specific projects in their communities and work on projects until completion. Each participant is expected to serve nine months in the program.
Eligibility. NTSP is open to all persons between the ages of 17 and 25. Because unemployment is a critical problem in this age group, most participants have come from among the unemployed. At the end of 1989, this group accounted for 21.3 percent of the population, a figure that is projected to rise to 27.5 percent by 2000.
Objectives. The objectives of National Training and Service are as follows: To encourage service in community and country; To foster self-development;
To assist young people in realizing their potential; To instill self-esteem and nationalism in young people by stimulating pride in their achievements and those of their country; To provide job opportunities.
Orientation. Orientation takes place both at the beginning of a project and from time to time during the project. Among the areas included in orientation are first aid, health education, personal development, field trips, disaster preparedness, physical training, and participants' attitudes, values and motivation.
Service Activities. NTSP is designed to enable participants to serve in areas closest to their places of residence. The program is conducted with the active involvement of community groups and members. For example, NTSP does not undertake environmental work for a community, but with the community. Participants are free to choose the project areas in which they would like to serve.
The major project areas are National Environmental Awareness and Conservation Service, National Paramedical and Nursing Service, and National Agriculture and Farming Service. One of the first projects completed by the NTSP participants was the restoration of a century-old railway tunnel at Tabaquite, where participants also constructed tourist accommodations with the same design and the same materials as those of a century ago. This project also offers residents entrepreneurial opportunities in arts and crafts, catering, recreation, and entertainment. Participants also have completed a project at Argyle Waterfall in Tobago. The surrounding area has been beautified and facilities have been constructed; it is now a tourist attraction providing job opportunities in several areas.
Linkages. In addition to cooperating with the communities where NTSP has projects, the program works closely with other organizations involving young people, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, St. John's Ambulance Brigade, the Red Cross, and Cadets.
Special Feature. Various environmental concerns exist in every country, both developed and developing. The National Training and Service Program, through its environmental projects, serves as a vehicle to foster not only unity, loyalty, and patriotism, but also concern and care for our environment. The environment, after all, is also the patrimony of future generations, which is on loan to those of us alive today.
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