Caribbean personalities, including Trinidad-born Grenada-based Bishop Cyde Harvey and Jamaican businessman Michael Lee Chin, are expected to address the Doctors for a Cause fifth annual gala and fundraiser, on November 4, at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
Eminent orthopaedic surgeon Dr David Toby, who is also chairman of the Esimaje Foundation, and co-founder of the Esimaje Foundation, Dr Oti Esimaje, are busy preparing for the event.
Toby is hoping the wise counsel and business acumen from its two keynote speakers-Harvey and Lee Chin,will benefit young men from East Port of Spain and the country in general. Lee Chin rose from humble beginnings to billionaire status. Esimaje also said they will include more high calibre motivational speakers like Associate Professor at Michigan State University and musician Etienne Charles; Belmont born musician Nigel Rojas and Los Alumnos De San Juan lead singer Alicia Jagessar.
Both Toby and Esimaje are imploring the young men to start thinking seriously about sustainable careers, professions and entrepreneurship. Over the past year, the Esimaje Foundation has made significant strides in advancing and improving its vision to promote education among pupils of the East Port of Spain localeincluding Nelson Street Boys’,South East Port of Spain Secondary and Russell Latapy High School. The theme of the project is -‘The Esimaje Foundation Cradle to Career Pipeline Initiative’. Esimaje also said he hoped the stakeholders would assist those who are at risk,by possibly providing 1,000 jobs.
Reach vulnerable young men, help those who are willing In a telephone interview on Friday, Toby said: ‘ East Port of Spain has issues like crime, broken homes and absent fathers. We want to reach out to the young men who are vulnerable. We are not being judgemental. They may need a life raft.They may need help with getting a decent starter job. They made need counselling.’
Esimaje added: ‘We have had success stories like young men who became chefs and entered medical school. Some started small businesses. We have deterred young men from a life of crime and violence. We are hoping stakeholders would help with provision of 1,000 jobs. East Port of Spain activist Jeffrey James said his three sons ( Jude, Job and Jonah) have benefited immensely. He also said Dr Toby and Dr Esimaje should be saluted for ‘making the weak strong, and helping the poor to prosper’.
