TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Sister Ruth Montrichard praised for exemplary work with youth
Sister Ruth Bridget Montrichard, recipient of the 2010 National Republic Day award, was also awarded with lavish praise as speaker after speaker at the 18th annual Republic Day award function lauded her longstanding contribution to national development in the areas of social and community work. The event was hosted by the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), and held at the Servol auditorium in La Romaine on September 23. The award was presented by acting President, Senator Timothy Hamel-Smith, who described Montrichard’s commitment as legendary.
Legendary work
“This is an organisation that Sister Ruth has been honoured to chair and
her own dedication to the cause is legendary. She has been, and
continues to be an inspiration to many,” he said. “Her concern for
humanity moves her to seek out and to nurture the potential that resides
in the heart of every human being to enable him to rise above daunting
circumstances to be the best that he can be,” Senator Hamel Smith said.
He also took time to commend CBTT for its attack on the growth of drug
abuse. “We know that this curse is responsible for the destruction of
many lives even as its victims enjoy the temporary pleasure that it
offers,” he stated. He said CBTT’s vision was shared with Servol,
founded by Father Gerard Pantin, whom Senator Hamel-Smith described as a
visionary.
Deserving of respect and admiration
Chairman of CBTT, Harrack Balramsingh, highlighted the difference Sister
Montrichard had made in the lives of many students because of her
exemplary efficiency and quality of service to the nation.
“Sister Montrichard is a patriotic and passionate citizen as well a national treasure. “We are well aware of the marvellous work done by Father Gerry Pantin, who founded Servol 40 years ago,” adding that Sister Montrichard had worked alongside Father Pantin without much honour and recognition. He also pointed out that she had made a huge contribution to the organisation of an adolescent programme to address the needs of the 15 to 19-year-old young people in T&T, who had either not been admitted to a secondary school, had dropped out, or who had finished their schooling but were unable to find employment. “Many of them have gone on to become success stories, and for this Sister Ruth deserves to be respected and admired. “Few women, if any, have done as much to help the disadvantaged young students in society,” Balramsingh said. In her address, deputy executive director of Servol, Allison Hayes Wilson, thanked Sister Montrichard for being a role model and a beacon of light and hope over the years.
Caring rubs off
Sister Montrichard, said she was fortunate to belong to Servol for most
of the NGO’s 40 years in existence because she was among people who
cared. “And when you work with people who care, you begin to care a
little more. “My congregation has nurtured me for the past 50 years. It
has educated and formed me, and has also taught me to be of service to
people and to the poor, which is one of the highlights and one of the
objectives that came about from my congregation. “I accept the 2010
National Republic Day award on behalf of my Congregation and on behalf
of all the people who call themselves Servol, because this journey is
one we need to make together. “I also accept the award on behalf of the
many NGOs, whose members work day and night to help other people and who
reach out to make our nation a better place.”
More information
Sister Ruth Bridget Montrichard entered the Congregation of the Sisters
of St Joseph of Cluny in February 1960 and took the final vows in the
Order on September 1968. She received her primary and secondary
education at St Joseph Convent, Port-of-Spain between 1947 and 1958, and
went on to obtain a teacher’s diploma from the Catholic Women’s College
in 1966, as well as a diploma in Sacred Studies from Loyola University
in 1973. In 1976, she received an advanced certificate in education (M
Ed with distinction) from Oxford University. She worked at Royal Bank in
Port-of-Spain, and then as a teacher at Scarborough RC school, St Louis
Primary school in Grenada, and Nelson Street RC school before her move
to Servol.
Her responsibilities in the organisation include curriculum development for adolescent development and skill training programmes, management, organisation and training staff. She has held the positions of director, deputy executive director, executive director and chairman of the Board during her more than three decades at Servol. She has also represented the organisation at international conferences in Europe, the United States, South America and the Caribbean. Her interests include development and implementation of programmes for young children, adolescents and parents as well as information technology, music and empowerment of the disadvantaged communities. She received the Inter-American Development award in 2001 for Social Entrepreneurship, the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 2002, and was inducted in the St Joseph Convent Hall of Excellence in 2007.
Sacha Wilson
30 September 2010
http://guardian.co.tt/features/life/2010/09/30/sister-ruth-praised-exemplary-work-youth
