THE ADOPT A RIVER PROGRAMME IN COLLABORATION WITH

THE WATER AND SEWERAGE AUTHORITY

SPOKEN WORD COMPETITION

 Secondary School Winners

Primary School Winners

People’s Choice Winners

Ibrahim Abdullah is a Program Officer for the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Facility at the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund. He has a background in project management for the implementation of environmental interventions in the areas of reforestation, waste management and sea turtle conservation among others. For over 12 years Ibrahim worked at the Green Fund in Trinidad and Tobago helping to operationalise the national environmental fund which is now valued at over US$ 1 Billion. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with an MSc in Strategic Leadership and Management where his research focused on challenges civil society organisations face in accessing grant financing for conservation in Trinidad and Tobago.

Candice Santana spent the last 16 years of her life working in the water sector. She has completed tertiary studies in Water Resources Management and Technology and Sustainable Development while engaged in work in the field of Agriculture, Climate Change, Resilience and Adaptation, Rural Development and Planning, and Event Management. Currently, she is finishing up further studies in Project Management. There are also future plans to pursue doctoral academic work that will contribute to the body of knowledge in the Water and Sanitation Sector for Small Island Developing States. She has served as the Research and Education Officer in the Tabaquite Vegetable Farmers’ Association for several years. Regional, she also served on the Executive Council of the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association.

Kyle Amos also widely known as Skeeto has established himself as a profound and an artistic writer and
artist. He has paved the way for several artists by founding an Open Mic forum for spoken word artists called One Mic. In addition, he has established WashHouse studios in 2006 along with producer Aaron Ace Cadogan and has been ensuring its existence ever since. Well known for his experience and stage awareness he continues to conduct lectures, workshops, and school tours throughout the country. He has co-produced three seasons of the televised spoken word poetry series called Second Stage which continues to be aired on CCNTV6, CNMG, Tempo and Gayelle with Handtohand Productions founded by radio personality, Hans Des Vignes. His writing continues to shed light on taboo issues plaguing our society.

Roger Karim has been with the Water and Sewerage Authority since 2003.  He is presently the Senior Manager Regulatory and Emergency Management department which encompasses overall responsibility for Occupational Safety, Environment & Regulatory Compliance and Emergency Planning. He is no stranger to being part of WASA's Environmental Education Progamme having previously served as a judge in a number of competitions such as the In the Know with H2O Flow, and National Primary School WW Poster competition among others. He is strong advocate of community engagement and engendering sustainable environmental practices among youths.

CIRCLE OF POETS:

Nicholas Sosa is a poet, Administrator, entrepreneur, and longstanding member of the Circle of Poets of Trinidad, having joined the organisation in 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration among other qualifications. Since 2005, he has served the organization as an Executive member, first as a Secretary, progressing to the post of President in 2011 for two consecutive terms and then elected to be the first Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Poet Laureate of Trinidad and Tobago Programme  in 2017. Nicholas Sosa’s dedication to poetry and its development is unwavering and is clearly seen by all who know him. In 2008, he received the “Poet of Distinction Award” from the Poets Society of Trinidad and Tobago.

Rachael N. Collymore is a passionate creative strategist, publicist, talent consultant, IP advocate and entrepreneur. She is the Founding Director of Power Media Hub Co. Ltd. She also founded the non-profit organization, Poetic Vibes Arts Foundation in 2007 which is dedicated to the advancement of young artists and building social awareness through the arts. In this capacity, Rachael represented Trinidad and Tobago in 2015 at the Griot Summit in Toronto, Canada and presented on a panel on the advancement of the arts. She has taught Public Speaking using Poetry as part of the Citizens for Security Programme and also with the Dynamic Youth Foundation.  For the past thirteen (13) years she has coordinated and facilitated workshops and events to fulfill this mandate. Such initiatives include: The Young Artists for Change Apprenticeship programme, The Artisans for Change TT Festival (part of the 100TPC global movement for change), YTC Pilot Project and Synergia: a fusion of Art, Jazz & Poetry to name a few.

Hadiya Phillips-Evelyn is a spoken word performer, writer and budding entrepreneur who has been involved in the arts for over a decade. She has performed on multiple stages and appeared on the Second Stage series in 2013 and Season 3 of the Free Speech Project in 2014.  She was also a semi-finalist in the First Citizens National Poetry Slam competition in 2013 and 2014. Her interest in poetry was ignited at an early age by the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss, who’s known for his melodic rhymes.
This love for poetry and performance pushed her into a career riddled with many opportunities, including television and radio appearances with Gayelle, Synergy and TTRN, just to name a few.