The Church of the Nazarene in Arima celebrated last September the official launch of the Child Development Center “Center of Hope,” a space primarily created to facilitate the integration of children from Spanish-speaking migrant communities into primary schools in Trinidad and Tobago. With 16 children currently enrolled in the program, this event marks a milestone in the local church’s efforts to address one of the most urgent needs of these communities.
Political and economic crises in some countries have led to a significant increase in migration to Trinidad and Tobago. Migrant children face numerous challenges, including language barriers, lack of documentation, and limited educational opportunities. Although the government of Trinidad and Tobago allows minors under 18 to access public schools, many children are unable to benefit due to documentation issues, leaving them in a vulnerable situation.
Since 2019, when the Arima church began offering Spanish-language worship services, they dreamed of meeting this need. Before the pandemic, the church had already made its facilities available to a local agency to establish a space dedicated to children. Today, this dream has become a reality thanks to the work of missionaries Timothy and María Nelly Bertrand, assigned to the Trinidad and Tobago District, and local program coordinator Jennifer Leach.
The Child Development Center takes a holistic approach to addressing the full range of children’s needs. In addition to providing quality education, the program includes activities focused on spiritual development, Christian education, and cocurricular learning in art, music, physical education, values, and character formation.
A typical day at the Center includes:
• Morning worship.
• Classes focused on English, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics.
• Breaks with fruit and water.
• A full midday meal.
The Center’s team is made up of tutors and volunteer assistants, including retired teachers with experience in the local school system. Volunteers also help with meal preparation and cocurricular activities.
The community’s response has been very positive. Many of the children, aged 5 to 12, had never experienced a formal academic environment before.
At the first parents’ meeting, held two weeks after classes began, attendees expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm. Several shared how their children had started singing songs in English at home, demonstrating the progress achieved in such a short time.
The Hope Center not only seeks to provide formal education but also to create a nurturing and supportive environment where children can reach their full potential. Active collaboration with parents is key to achieving this goal and ensuring that every child receives the necessary support in all areas of their development.
Source: Alvilene Williams, Director of the Arima Child Development Center, and Marlen Soria, Regional Coordinator of Ministries for Children and MesoKids.
