Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago
Commonwealth Point of Light 148. Giselle Mendez
Giselle Mendez, representing Trinidad and Tobago, is the founder of the ‘Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago’ (VCTT), which is running as an online platform during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote safe volunteering opportunities.
These opportunities include telephone befriending, tutoring a child, letter writing to isolated people or donating to an NGO. Giselle also leads 130 mentors that will provide guidance and support to young people beyond the pandemic.
Tim Stew MBE, British High Commissioner in Trinidad and Tobago, said:
“Giselle Mendez has shown us the value of coming together to connect, even virtually, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. I am inspired by her work to bring about meaningful change in various communities and to positively influence young people in this country. And I’m delighted that Giselle will join three others from Trinidad and Tobago who have received this award from Her Majesty the Queen. This also makes Giselle the 148th person in the Commonwealth to receive this international award since 2018. I wish her continued strength to carry on this good work. And I hope this award will further inspire young people to act, however they can, to drive positive change in their communities.”
Giselle said:
“Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago’ (VCTT) is a volunteer matching platform which connects people to high impact custom built interventions which support the Sustainable Development Goals. Our current interventions include the ‘Me to We E-Mentorship’ programme supported by Prince’s Trust International, the ‘Grown in East Port of Spain home & community garden’ initiative supported by the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme and the development of a regional network for Volunteerism supported by ‘Ruach Tova’ – Good Deeds Day.
“At VCTT we believe in the transformational power of people, and our family of volunteers is honoured for this recognition of our 8 year service as we curate an all-inclusive space for citizens to be activated and meaningfully engaged in pioneering viable solutions, in support of our ‘Vision of A Volunteer In Every Home’.”
Pictured below: Giselle receiving her award from British High Commissioner in Trinidad and Tobago, Tim Stew MBE.
See more about the ‘Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago’