A place of peace

2026-03-21 - 23:35

Senior Reporter otto.carrington@cnc3.co.tt Fresh off another Junior Band of the Year victory for Carnival 2026, Zebapique Productions continues to use culture as a platform not only for artistic success but also for social change, bringing together children from communities across East Port-of-Spain through its long-running initiative, Solving Crime Through Culture. Band leader Andrew Alleng said the band has consistently dominated the junior mas competition, capturing four Junior Band of the Year titles in the past five years and placing second once, a record he credits to years of dedication by volunteers, parents and young participants. But Alleng says the trophies are not the most important outcome. “Winning Band of the Year title is important, but the project is much bigger than that,” Alleng said. “We are creating people. We are creating young men in the East Port-of-Spain area to understand that the person living on the other street is not an enemy—it’s a friend.” The initiative brings together youths from as many as 25 communities, many of which are often labelled high-risk areas. Rather than hosting the programme in any one neighbourhood, activities take place at a mas camp in Petit Valley, a neutral location where children from different communities can work together. “We cannot choose one area because everyone might not feel comfortable going there,” Alleng explained. “So, we moved the borders by bringing it here. On any given day between June and Carnival, we may have 20 to 30 people from different areas working together.” Communities involved in the programme are identified by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) Hearts and Minds Unit, which partners with the band to reach areas where social intervention could help reduce tensions and strengthen relationships. The programme has been operating for about 20 years, supported mainly by Republic Bank and the Ministry of National Security, now known as the Ministry of Homeland Security. Alleng said former national security minister Jack Warner helped expand the programme’s reach in 2010, increasing the number of communities involved. Since then, the initiative has continued across different administrations. “It is not political. It is more a service to the community,” Alleng said. He recalled that one year, Port-of Spain recorded over 100 murders, highlighting the urgency of initiatives that address social problems at the community level. Alleng emphasised that the project survives largely through volunteer effort and community commitment. “People might think bands operate for profit, but that is not really the case. In fact, I wish it was,” he said. “The ambassadors and parents who help here cannot be paid for what they put out.” Many volunteers remain at the camp late into the night before returning home to their communities. “Some of them leave here one or two o’clock in the morning and go back to their areas, but they do it because they believe in the project,” Alleng said. ‘It has become family’ Costume designer Ingrid Mitchell, affectionately known as “Miss Ingrid” in the camp, said her involvement began unexpectedly but has since become a major part of her life. “I got introduced to this band by default,” Mitchell said. “There were some things that were not done properly, and I was asked if I could fix it because I sew part-time, and I did.” Her involvement grew when her children joined the band and eventually went on to compete for major titles. “They came, and they have gone from being in sections to being queen, two of them,” she said. Mitchell said the camp has become a place of belonging and peace for many participants. “When I’m not in the camp, I feel as though something is missing,” she said. “Everything here is ‘go to Miss Ingrid.’ I’ve been doing this for years, and I love it.” She believes the initiative helps break down barriers between communities often seen as rivals. “Here is a meeting place of peace. When they reach here, it’s one family,” she said. “You don’t see different boundaries, you see children playing together.” Now, even her grandchildren are involved. “My grandchildren are now kings and individuals in the band, and they love it,” Mitchell said. Teacher Gwendolyn Roberts, who teaches at Corpus Christi College, said the project has become more than just a Carnival band for many families. “For me, it has become a family,” Roberts said. “We have been involved with all the other communities, and we come here, and we mix, and we talk, and we laugh, and we do what we have come here to do.” She said the initiative allows people from different communities to work together and build relationships. “We build costumes, build communities, and when we get together on the road, we are one family,” she said. Roberts added that the programme helps break the negative stereotypes often associated with Laventille and the surrounding communities. “Male and female can come together, work together, have fun together and get rid of that stigma,” she said. “We are trying to get rid of that stigma that Laventille is negative.” Having been part of the project for about 15 years, Roberts said she has witnessed its growth and impact firsthand. “The work is fantastic, and I pray to God that it continues to grow,” she said. The project relies heavily on funding from its partners to cover operational costs. Alleng said organisers are currently awaiting final payments from the Ministry of Homeland Security after Carnival so they can settle outstanding bills. Republic Bank has also played a major role through its Power to Make a Difference programme. Despite the success of the programme, Alleng acknowledged the harsh realities many communities still face, referencing recent killings in one of the areas involved in the project.