The Tunapuna/Piarco RSHDC was established in July 2005 to coordinate the Poverty Reduction Programmes in the region.  The council is also responsible for ensuring that there is collaboration and integration of the various approaches to poverty reduction.

The present composition of the RSHDC includes members from both the public and private sector.  The council’s meetings are held on the third Monday in each month.


Task Undertaken

Consultations

Tunapuna/Piarco is located in Tacarigua.





Two Consultations were held in two communities with the expressed intention of “engaging in collaborative planning to address the needs of the poor and to identify and analyze needs and resources in the region”.

1. RSHDC in partnership with the Social Work Students, University of the West Indies at Kandahar, Tacarigua on Saturday 15th October.

2. Lamb Centre in Peytonville on Sunday 19th February, 2006. 
Community challenges expressed by the residents were:

•insecurity of land tenure, 
•no proper drainage,
•high bushes and mosquitoes,
•stench on Kelly Street, 
•No community centre and improper
 sporting facilities.

Results
As a result of the RSHDC intervention the community recieved the following assistance:

•The  high bushes were cut down
and area was sprayed for 
mosquitoes

•The members of the community 
were able to meet, share and 
receive important communication 
on the status of many projects 
and concerns of communitymembers.

•Peytonville Community Council applied for and received funding from the RMPF to open an Improvement Centre.

Outreach Tours

Outreach tours to the various communities were held for the specific purposes of:

•Familiarizing members of the RSHDC with the communities and residents of the Tunapuna/Piarco Region.

•To promote the RSHDC, the CSN and the RMPF

Five (5) outreach tours were held in the following areas.

1.Sub-Region No. 8 - Blanchisseuse, Brasso Seco, La Laja -15th March, 2006. 

Blanchisseuse Community challenges expressed by the residents were:

•Absence of dental health facility, 
•Lack of proper Public Transport,
•Unreliable water supply, bad roads,
•Lack of Streetlights on the Blanchisseuse old road,
•A lack of facilities for the payment of taxes and the collection of old age pension in the area. 

Brasso Seco Community challenge expressed by the residents was:

•Conflict between the both groups.

Results

•Information and feedback were given to the Blanchisseuse Residents which enabled them to understand and the reason why old age pension were not being paid by paymaster and the Dental Clinic was not established

•Conflict Resolution Seminars and mediation were held by Community Development to deal with conflict in Brasso Seco. 

•Five organizations from Blanchisseuse community demonstrated interest in the RMPF.  Three applications for the grant were received.

The Blanchisseuse Foundation – Received 1st disbursement.

North Coast Coaching Club – Application in progress.

Blanchisseuse Netball Team – Still at concept form stage.

2.Sub-Region No. 10, Oropune, St. Helena, Kelly Village, La Paille, Caroni Village and Frederick Settlement 15th May, – 22nd May, 2006 – St. Helena Hindu School.

•Oropune, St. Helena and Kelly Village
 
The major challenge identified was compensation for flood damages. 

•La Paille, Caroni Village and Frederick Settlement - 22nd May, 2006 – Warrenville Community Complex

Community challenges:
 
•Lack of facilities in La Paille Gardens, which severely hampered residents from accessing the RMPF grant.  

Results

•The Flood victims at St. Helena were able to receive information on their flood assistance and the progress of their invoices for compensation.

•Two (2) groups submitted application for the RMPF grant and received approval.

Kelly Village Shiv Mandir Social and Cultural Organisation - 1st disbursement.

A Class Decorations – 1st disbursement.

3.Sub-Region No. 9 –  La Horquetta, - August 28, 2006- Zoe Foundation

Community concerns expressed by the residents were:

•A need for a proper playground as well as a Regional Complex, since the existing community centre is fully utilized with numerous activities.
 
•Evening classes in subject areas other than Mathematics and English. 

•The field that is presently used by residents for recreation and sport needs to be cut and leveled.

Results

Two (2) groups that applied for the RMPF grant:

1.Youths United – Approved and awaiting  1st Disbursement

2.La Horquetta Youth Council – Concept form stage

4.Sub-Region No. 1 – Maracas/St. Joseph, Acono Village, Valley View, La Seiva, La Baja and La Mango - 8th November, 2006 - Maracas Valley Community Centre. 

Community concerns expressed by the residents: 

•With the exception of a basketball court, there are no facilities at La Mango community.
 
Some of the challenges of working in La Mango Community were: 

- Increased drugs rate
- Depressed area
- Poor structure or terrain of 
  the community 
- Topography is discouraging  

Members of the RSHDC felt that most of the outreach tours and the consultations were productive and helped to strengthen and facilitate collaborative efforts between the RSHDC and communities.

Other Interventions

•Through the intervention of the RSHDC, a young man was assisted with his ticket and visa by the Ministry of Sport & Youth Affairs to go abroad for trials in the USA.

•Social Welfare Assistance was initiated for a few children

•An organization from Banchisseuse was interviewed by the Tunupuna/Piarco Regional Corporation for a small contract to clean the beaches and environment in Blanchisseuse.


Accomplishments

Collaborative efforts afforded the opportunity for communities to access the following services:

•Award of a grant to facilitate Youth Development.

•Award of grants to assist needy children in the region.

•Facilitated the opportunity for award of a petty contract.

•Dissemination of information on agency policy regarding old age pension.

•Dissemination of information on dental care.

•Conflict Resolution and Mediation Seminars were held by Community Development to deal with conflict in Brasso Seco.


Activity Plans

1. Outreaches/ consultation in various communities.

2. A Community Fair – Date and Venue to be decided.

3. Training for recipients of the RMPF grant.