AGRICULTURAL entrepreneur Jahmali Samuel and software developer Ishmael Moreno are Trinidad and Tobago's 2023 Youths of the Year.
The annual award ceremony was held on Thursday evening at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.
Awards were presented for young people aged ten-35. In addition, there was a youth mentor and advocate award for those over 35.
Samuel, 17, founded the Wallerfield Youth Livestock project at age 15 and remains the youngest person who collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries. He cultivates approximately 15 acres of crops.
He won the award for agriculture (ages ten-17) as well as Youth of the Year for the same age group.
Speaking with Newsday after the ceremony, he said he felt great, as he has been working hard to help other young people.
He praised those he has already worked with, adding, "I want to continue inspiring them."
[caption id="attachment_1036633" align="alignnone" width="1024"] President Christine Kangaloo presents the Youth of the Year Award (18-35 category) to software developer Ishmael Moreno during the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service National Youth Awards 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain on September 21. - Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
Asked who inspired him, he said many people including his family members, Minister of Youth Development Foster Cummings and the Prime Minister. He said he hopes to become prime minister later in life.
Moreno is the creator of Uplift, a peer-to-peer mental health mobile application. He told Newsday he believes it is crucial to continue working towards the destigmatisation of mental health. The 27-year-old won the health and wellness award (ages ten-35) and the Youth of the Year award in that age group.
He said he was not expecting the latter, so it came as a pleasant surprise, for which he is thankful.
"I feel great. As youths, it's always good to feel appreciated."
In his speech, Cummings said young people represent TT's collective future, adding that the award ceremony is "just one of the many avenues through which we seek to create the paths you will take towards the greater national good."
The government, he said, is committed to the advancement of young people, which is evident from the creation of his ministry in 2020.
[caption id="attachment_1036634" align="alignnone" width="1024"] YOUTHS ARE THE FUTURE: Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales at the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service National Youth Awards 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad, Port of Spain on September 21. - Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
He said they understand the challenges faced by young people and will continue to work towards finding solutions.
Permanent secretary in the ministry Farook Hosein reminded young people their work does not go unrecognised.
"(The awards) put a spotlight on you as ambassadors of youth development and create opportunities for you to further yourselves as role models for your peers."
He said the winners were chosen on the basis of achievemen
