Teens Pursue Their Writing Dreams

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, August 9, 2016: Participants of the recently concluded Dev Cropper Foundation Creative Writer’s Residential Workshop were exposed to a whole new world of creativity, while being encouraged to pursue their writing dreams.

Republic Bank in partnership with The Cropper Foundation, hosted the 2nd installment of the workshop, which ran from July 24 to July 31, 2016. Held at the Seventh Day Adventist Camp Facility, Balandra, 17 aspiring, teen-aged writers, attended daily sessions aimed at developing their personal writing skills, as well as increasing their knowledge on publishing.

Speaking on the success of the Workshops, Chairman of the Cropper Foundation, Ashton Brereton, said “I am pleased that workshops like these can be held as it assisted in so many ways, to the development and nurturing of young minds, and by extension adults.” Brereton also expressed his team’s ongoing commitment to the overall development of the country and indeed the wider Region.

In his closing address, Republic Bank’s Manager, Data Centre Services, Johnason Nath, congratulated the sessions’ facilitators, Dr. Merle Hodge and Professor Funso Aiyejina, both formerly of the University of the West Indies’ Department of Liberal Arts, on a job well done. He said “Your participation and commitment has ensured that the programme’s aim of nurturing and promoting the burgeoning Caribbean literary talent, was achieved.”

Nath also encouraged the graduating class to use what was taught at the workshop, to better equip themselves in their quest to becoming the writers of tomorrow. “We hope that we have awakened in you the drive to spin tales that truly capture the Trinibagonian experience. We hope that we have helped you craft the individual blueprints for your success.” Nath said.

Republic Bank was pleased to have partnered with the Cropper Foundation, in the hosting of this event which formed part of the Bank’s Power to Make a Difference Programme.