TO reduce plastic waste, support local agriculture, and address the needs of the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has trained disabled individuals in two areas: using a 3D printer to create tools and jewellery, and growing herbs for sale.
National coordinator of the UNDP’s Global Environment Facility, Dr Sharda Mahabir, said the programme provided 3D printers through its small grants initiative.
Meanwhile technical training for using the printers was provided by a student from the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (NIHERST).
“This project has been running for a little less than a year now and the results are absolutely amazing. The school is using 3D printers as an entrepreneurial opportunity by printing other tokens (aside from tools and other disability-friendly items) for the public to purchase,” Mahabir said during a display of the results of the programme, at the NCPD, on New Street, San Fernando last week.
Chief operating officer of the NCPD Ricardo Rampaul noted that while the centre’s online shop currently features a limited selection of items for purchase, plans to expand the offerings are underway.
“This will give us a sense of sustainability rather than us always relying heavily on donors and State funding for us to be able to better meet the needs of people with disabilities,” Rampaul said.
Currently, 191 students are enrolled in the programme, with ten participating in the 3D printing component.
Rampaul stated that the expansion will significantly benefit the centre, providing valuable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people with disabilities.
Express Business visited the website where products crafted by students from the woodworking and 3D printing programmes are available for sale. The items, including teak chairs, tea boxes, mirrors, marking gauges, nail drill holders, and QR code tiles, are priced between $20 and over $6,000.
Regarding the agriculture aspect of the initiative, Mahabir said, “The agricultural offering has expanded, they have agro-boxes and they have been growing food items that support the students within the centre and are also sold on the side to raise funds for the school.”
NCPD agriculture instructor Sharon Rochard added that the agro-boxes are made from waste plastics, contributing to the UNDP’s goal of reducing unwanted plastics.
In addition to these programmes, in 2020, T&T joined Caribbean countries such as Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Anguilla and one Pacific Island – Samoa – to implement a “south-south” exchange in bee-keeping.
The project conducted a baseline survey on bee-keeping in the participating countries and provided both theoretical and practical training, along with materials and equipment, to at least 20 participants in each country.
During COVID-19, the project developed the Caribbean’s first online bee-keeping course, which saw 356 graduates from across the region.
Of these, at least 200 completed the theoretical training in bee-keeping, including many women, youth, and indigenous peoples.
In each country, a training apiary was established, equipped with boxes and bees. This initiative helped local bee-keepers enhance their skills and led to the creation of new businesses across the region, some of which ventured into value-added products like soaps, lip balms, and candles.
UNDP resident representative for Trinidad and Tobago, Ugo Blanco, added that this operation is meant to make everyone feel included in society.
“People with disabilities play a crucial role in society. Not only because they come with energy or fresh ideas, but because they face challenges have every day and they had to find ways to overcome them. This project enables people with disability to move to the next level, to be trained, get a job and use their creativity for the society they are part of,” Blanco said.
Speaking about funding for this and other related programmes, he emphasised that it is a major task and urged both the private and public sectors to contribute.
He highlighted the importance of such support given the high rate of people with disabilities in T&T.
“This task is major and many other players can come in, from the private sector – providing jobs and opportunities – to other training institutions, volunteers and even customers who buy some of the products that are being produced. There is the space to do more so others can benefit from the work,” he said.
The GEF fund in Trinidad offers funding up to US$50,000 ($338,988.57) for registered community-based organisations and non-governmental organisations to carry out environmentally based projects.