Paula Lindo – Our histories, stories, present, future.

“We are Girl Be Heard!” was the rallying cry at the Central Bank Auditorium as the first cycle of Girl Be Heard TT came to an end with the final production, UnMasked.

The production told the story of Maia, who grew up in a single parent household being abused by her mother after her father left them to start another family. She and her friends confront issues of sexual harassment, rape, bullying, negative body image, gender-based violence, addiction, and uncaring and abusive teachers and family. She becomes numb to the world and moves through life wearing a mask. When she begins working she is encouraged to go to a therapist, who helps her to unmask and mend herself.
The poignant production incorporated theatre, spoken word poetry, original music, extempo, devil mas, masquerade and dance to tell the story. The program, which develops, amplifies, and celebrates the voices of young women through socially conscious theatre-making, was carried out at Bishops Centenary High School in Port of Spain. The performers, Karissa Ali, Jamilya Bunting, Debra Daniel, Kimerly Fiddler, Tinisha Haynes, Aaliyah Holder, Tishauna Jones, Hannah Parris, Jadan Pencome, Shenelle Vincent, Delicia Williams, Tahirah Williams and Shania Wills, were directed by their teachers, actress Penelope Spencer, spoken word poet Deneka Thomas and actress Tishanna Williams.
The girls said they were sad to see the program come to an end but would be taking away memories and friendships. They said they would be ambassadors for the program which had taught them to be empowered and bold and how to stand their ground against bullies and negative forces in society.
Girl Be Heard US co-founder Jessica Greer Morris said it was gratifying to see the program take root here in T&T. “You create a safe space three hours a week to sit with young women and ask them about their fears and dreams and then you create theatre out of it. It’s amazing how this model can work anywhere in the world because the same things are happening to all of us. Many of the students have this artistic ability in their blood which needs to be nurtured.”

Founding Managing Director of the 2 Cents Movement (2CM), Jean-Claude Cournand, said he hoped that corporate and civil society would support further expansion of the program. “They need to give the NGO sector a fighting chance to deliver professional programs that can have a great impact on the problem of crime in T&T. There’s a labour around fundraising we need to remove when it comes to work that is credible and important, so I hope people could really empower us to really get things done.”

2CM was instrumental in getting the program to T&T, along with the US Embassy. Outgoing Public Affairs Officer Stephen Weeks said he was looking forward to the next chapter as the program moves into becoming self-sustaining, as there’s a great need for the program in T&T.

Thomas said it was an epic experience for her as a teacher and she looks forward to continuing the next chapter in September. Parris said it has been an amazing experience which has resulted in the growth of the participants. “This would be helpful in other schools as well to help students stand up against bullying and other issues. We keep growing, we keep empowering women all over and it’s just a joy.”
For information on how to sponsor a girl or program, contact 289-1595 and GBHTT@girlbeheard.org.