Today we come to the
end of our series of articles featuring the work of ALTA students during Covid.
We note that while
ALTA students join classes with varying degrees of reading and writing skill, the
pieces shared in this series are from student writers at ALTA Level 3 and the ALTA
Spelling Programme. These students are competent readers who have reached a
certain comfort level with the written word and are acquiring mastery of
Standard English grammar and spelling.
The main take
away our students have emphasised in these featured pieces and throughout our
classes has been resilience, resourcefulness and continued hope for a brighter
future with a strong foundation of improved literacy.
Student CS shares
her thoughts and experience of the pandemic. While it has been a time of
anxiety, struggle and adversity, she is optimistic about the future now that
vaccines are finally available.
CS
The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened the lives
of many – both locally and by extension internationally. Having to battle with
the virus has taken its course leaving many with a scar to remember. Since
December 2019, I can still remember hearing the news about this coronavirus
coming from China and the potential impact on a person’s health and the
economy.
However, this became a reality in March 2020,
almost one year ago, when the Prime Minister announced that there would be a
serious restriction with respect to movement and human interaction within
Trinidad and Tobago. I especially recall sitting and watching in amazement and horror
as several things I enjoyed doing such as hanging out, visiting the beach, enjoying
a bite of bake and shark, cooking by the river and even simple things like
being able to sit in a taxi, were being impacted.
Almost every person in the country was forced
to remain at home. The pandemic brought me to a point where I was in a state of
anxiety, causing me to spiral into frustration, creating panic about not having
enough money to sustain my family. I even recall the fear of leaving the house
to simply go to the grocery to pick up food items.
Due to the uncertainty of not knowing how long
the shutdown was going to last, there were times when I had to explain to my
young nieces and nephews why schools were closed. The closure of school also
created panic among the younger ones who were preparing to sit the Secondary Entrance
Assessment, as they were worried about not having the opportunity to complete
their studies.
I even recall having to counsel a close friend
whose livelihood was dependent on driving a taxi. His income continues to be
negatively impacted by the pandemic as to this day he cannot operate his taxi at
full capacity. Similarly, another friend of mine, who worked in a gym, lost her
job due to the length of time they were forced to remain closed. It was really
sad to witness.
At a point in time, my grandmother did not
want to leave the house because of the fear instilled in her by watching the
news constantly. She was afraid of catching this virus because, due to her
medical condition, she feared that her chance of surviving the virus was slim
to none.
Over the past few months, the lockdown allowed
us to learn to live with limited movement and eventually I was able to return
to work. The changes made as a result of the pandemic are the new normal and my
challenge is juggling school and work once again. Additionally, the government,
educational institutions and some businesses across the nation began implementing
policies that allowed persons to work or attend school from home, resulting in
many persons investing in laptops, printers and tablets.
I remember finally being able to visit the
beach after four to six months and to be able to press my feet into the sand.
In spite of all the challenges, the entire year has been an event of struggle
and adversity for many including myself. Thankfully, Trinidad and Tobago has
not been impacted as badly as the rest of the world, especially the United
States where over five hundred thousand people died from the coronavirus.
While it is not something I’m accustomed to, I
must say that I, along with many others, am tired of having to wear a mask that
impacts on one’s ability to breathe properly. Also, I anxiously await the day when
I can go out and not have my makeup smeared or lipstick not show. With this in
mind, I understand the importance and safety of wearing the facemask and I,
therefore, will be wearing my mask with a smile.
One of the things I missed most of all is
being able to travel as I look forward to going to another island. I’m
optimistic as to what the next couple of months will bring now that vaccines
are becoming available.
If you or someone you know is
interested in joining an ALTA-V class, enhancing their literacy through ALTA
Online Level 1 or becoming a sponsor, call 624-2582 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com.
Keep up to date with ALTA on Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram: ALTA TT
Life everywhere continues to be dominated by the pandemic and many of us
have been forced to adapt. We continue our series featuring the work of ALTA
students who tell us how they fared during this time of uncertainty.
While ALTA students join classes with
varying degrees of reading and writing skill, the pieces shared in this series
are from student writers at ALTA Level 3 and the ALTA Spelling Programme. These
students are competent readers who have reached a certain comfort level with
the written word and are acquiring mastery of Standard English grammar and
spelling.
Andrea Dube has shown strength and ingenuity. She signed up for ALTA
Virtual classes to improve herself, but it also helped to keep her mind off
Covid. Here is her story.
Andrea
The
Coronavirus started in Wuhan, China in early December 2019. During this time,
most of us were unaware of its significance. I didn’t know anything about the
coronavirus and did not think much of it at the time, but I used to listen to
the daily news and I could hear the reporters talking about the Coronavirus
which is also known as the Covid-19.
My sister
informed me about the seriousness of the virus because around that time people
started dying when they contracted it and it began spreading quickly from
country to country. I became worried because Carnival was approaching in
Trinidad and Tobago and people usually come from all different parts of the
world to enjoy our national culture.
After Carnival
ended and I realized that there were no Covid-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago,
I breathed a sigh of relief but I was still worried about other countries. My
sister kept telling me about the seriousness of the virus because at the time
she was at home and would keep abreast of the daily news.
On March 12th,
2020, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, more specifically Trinidad, received
its first Covid-19 case. I remembered the day so vividly. I was working and a
customer came into my workplace and said that someone came into the country
with the Covid-19 virus and was placed into quarantine. On my way home, the
announcement was made on the news. By the time I got home, both my mother and
sister were aware of the news and they became afraid saying, “we got a case of
the virus”. The Health Minister also confirmed this tragedy. Some days later,
another case was confirmed and unfortunately this person succumbed to the
deadly virus.
We soon
realized that every new case that was discovered came from a person that
recently arrived in Trinidad and on March 22nd 2020, the government
decided to close our borders. To date, our borders remain closed. In addition
to the closure of our borders, all our beaches were closed and all persons that
were classed as non-essential workers had to remain at home thus putting the
country in a state of lock down.
I remember
people began to panic buy grocery items such as hand sanitizers and hand soap
as well as other cleaning products which eventually became difficult to
acquire. Some persons began manufacturing their own hand sanitizer and started
selling them. Soon after, the Health Minister announced that a face mask had to
be worn in all public spaces. This was especially hard for me because I have asthma
so I avoided going out in public.
My mother also
avoided going outdoors unless it was absolutely essential and she even became a
little paranoid. It became quite difficult for us to survive because I stayed
at home and was no longer generating an income. Eventually, the government
issued grants to persons who became unemployed and this helped to ease my
burden. Grocery items were donated by good Samaritans to assist my household.
Returning to
work was a delightful feeling even though there were a number of changes that
were made to my daily life. Social distancing, wearing a face mask, washing and
sanitizing one’s hands all became mandatory.
Whilst working one day, I was listening to 100.1 FM and I heard an announcement for ALTA Virtual classes. I wrote down the contact information and called them the following day to sign up for the classes. ALTA Virtual classes have been a tremendous help to me because I am being taught by two wonderful tutors who dedicate their time in assisting me to improve my literacy. I always look forward to my Mondays and Wednesdays ALTA virtual classes which help to keep my mind off the stresses of Covid-19.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining an
ALTA-V class, enhancing their literacy through ALTA Online Level 1 or becoming
a sponsor, call 624-2582 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com.
Keep up to date with ALTA on Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram: ALTA TT
Today ALTA
student Razeen Samad shares with us how she has been navigating the pandemic.
It is tough, but she is fortunate that in her community they look out for each
other. She is optimistic about the future and encourages her neighbours to
persevere.
Razeen Samad
The start of the pandemic occurred on March 12th 2020 in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago. The Minister of Health Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh confirmed the first case of Covid -19 in Trinidad and Tobago. To me, it was very scary to know that one of the deadliest viruses in the world had reached my beautiful country, and so it began.
At the end of March, in the year of 2020, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago started to put restrictions in certain places to help to stop the spread of Covid-19. I am not lying to tell you surviving with Covid -19 is very difficult and stressful. I am a single mother of two beautiful children. My daughter is an upper six student at S.W.A.H.A. Hindu College and my son is a standard 4 student at Grosvenor Presbyterian School.
It has been
very hard to cope because I need things for my kids and due to the Covid-19 no
one is hiring people to work. Many people lost their work due to the pandemic.
It is so sad but by God’s grace and my loving family and beautiful friends, I
am surviving and when I feel stress I put on my music and dance and relax
myself.
Our country
was in lockdown for about three months. We were not allowed to go to places
such as the beaches, malls, cinemas, schools and places of worship and no
in-house dining was allowed. I was unhappy because of it. I love to take my
kids out to have fun but we had to adapt to the situation that was taking place
right now. I had to take a chance of going out in the public to get food items
and stationery supplies for my kids and myself because I am a proud Level Two
student at ALTA.
I am what
you call a high-risk patient because I suffer with asthma. It is difficult to
breathe with a mask on. I always have a big bottle of sanitizer and a few extra
masks in my handbag.
Some of the
struggles we mothers are facing are as the kids are home right through they are
eating more often. Sometimes food is finished and I have to go out to buy more
food items. Mothers have it hard because we have to cook all day and have to
help teach our kids school work and do all our housework. Sometimes we do not
have any time to rest. As you lie down all you hearing is “Mummy.”
In the
beginning it was difficult to join a virtual class because I did not know what
to do. I never use Zoom before so it was a new experience for me. One thing I
miss a lot is meeting and socializing with my friends. I am a social butterfly.
I love to meet new people. I miss not being able to hug my family and friends,
but we have to do the right thing. A next difficulty we are having – as
internet drops we lose our connection but in all I am loving my virtual
classes.
The women
in my area Coal Mine are striving. We look out for each other. I encourage all
my neighbours not to give up. Things will get better in the near future. This
is my journey through Covid-19.
If you or someone you know is
interested in joining an ALTA-V class, enhancing their literacy through ALTA
Online Level 1 or becoming a sponsor, call 624-2582 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com.
Keep up to date with ALTA
on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: ALTA TT