Iere Village Celebrates Its History and Community Builders

Iere Village in Princes Town, Trinidad, recently celebrated its community spirit and heritage by honoring 21 elders and contributors at an awards ceremony. Organized by Iere Concepts Limited, a project management and contracting firm, the event recognized individuals who dedicated their lives to community development, often achieving remarkable feats with limited resources.

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Like many of us here tonight, our journey was not planned, it was not intentional, it evolved. And like our ancestors who came before us, each of our stories has with it struggles and adventures, which are most times kept in silence. Tonight, I would like to break this silence, not only for the story of our company, but also for many here whose hard work and dedication have helped shape Iere Village and the lives of all who called this place home.

The honorees, including Shamalar Mohammed, Victor Edwards, Dr. Iezora Edwards, and Zakina Mohammed, were celebrated for their significant contributions to the village's identity and heritage. The ceremony, held at the Iere Operations building, underscored the power of determination, volunteerism, and a shared belief in collective progress that has shaped the community.

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The place has changed, but for me, the meaning of it hasn’t. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. But if we face it together, it doesn’t matter. As a country, Iere, the island we now call Trinidad, has carried many cultures, many struggles, and many stories. As a village, Iere has carried entire families and generations, people who hold in them the work, lessons, and spirits of those who came before us.

Dr. Rakesh Sookoo, managing director of Iere Concepts Limited, reflected on the company's own journey, which began 20 years ago with a small project. He emphasized that like the village's ancestors, many personal stories involve struggles and adventures often kept silent. The event aimed to break this silence, honoring not only the company's story but also the hard work of those who have shaped Iere Village. Dr. Iezora Edwards, a researcher and writer specializing in Caribbean cultural studies and a native of Iere Village, spoke about the village being a "living performance of history."

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Iere Village is no ordinary village. It is a living performance of history...