NATIONAL athlete Carlos Greene, who represented Trinidad and Tobago in the London Paralympic Games last year, was honoured in his hometown on Monday.

The visually impaired shot put and discus throwing athlete was one of the four residents of Carapichaima honoured during the opening of the Carapichaima Community Centre.

The others were Mubarak Ali, Narine Ragoo and Lystra Sinaswee.
Community Development Minister Winston Peters delivered the feature address.

He encouraged residents of Carapichaima to make good use of the newly opened million dollar plus community centre.

The minister praised the community for its famed Carnival Monday celebrations and its major landmarks such as the Siewdass Sadhu's Temple in the Sea and the largest Hanuman murti outside of India.

So far, the People's Partnership government has opened 22 community centres. It is outfitted with a stage, fully-equipped kitchen, an auditorium, and an office of administration.

Peters said, "Find ways to build strong community ties through your interactions for whatever purpose. Resilient communities can be realised in many ways.The first is to develop a resource-based view of Community Development where the community identifies the human and physical resources of a community and leverage these for the development of the community."

He suggested that sports personnel such as Greene, Ria Ramnarine and Ryan Fredericks be part of that development.
Peters said, "Carapichaima has a number of attractions that can be also leveraged to build a cohesive and connected community. Your Carnival Monday Celebrations continue to be one of the best in the country and continue to attract people to this area, the Temple-in-the-Sea and the Hanuman Murti at Orange Field Road - which is said to be the largest of its kind outside of India and it also attracts tourists from all over the world to your area.

These features continue to offer prospects for increased economic activities within this community."

The establishment of a Homework Centre for pupils was suggested to assist in keeping young persons out of a life of crime and participation in the Prime Minister's Best Village Competition.

And Peters reminded residents about the skills training programmes offered by the ministry.He urged them to work with various community groups " to ensure that you build a safe, secure community."

- sue-ann.wayow@trinidadexpress.com