Sando dep mayor laments poor turnout at gun forum

A disappointment! This is how San Fernando deputy mayor Vidya Mungal-Bissessar yesterday described the low turnout of students at a crime prevention programme addressing gun violence. The event was hosted at the San Fernando City Hall auditorium yesterday morning. Out of the 12 schools invited, only students and teachers of four schools were present. In November last year Mungal-Bissessar said the same auditorium was packed with hundreds of students who came to meet and greet Jamaican artiste Jamar McNaughton popularly known as Chronix.

“For the Chronix concert, this auditorium was overflowing with students from all schools with their teachers who all signed off on them coming to see the Jamaican artiste. Now I see empty chairs, why is this?” she asked.

Mungal-Bissessar said her statement was in no way to take away from the support of culture as she too was elated to be a part of the Chronix event, but she said better must be done by staff at schools to make it a priority that students attend events of this nature.

“You look at the television and in the news and you are hearing about young people who are killed. The victims are younger and younger. Every one of us knows someone who knows someone who was touched by gun violence.”

The programme was a collaborative effort between the city corporation and the founder of Project Rare, former teacher Caron Asgarali.

Mungal-Bissessar said in an effort to promote peace and non-violence, Project Rare has planned a series of activities for schools in 2018.

Schools present included, St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando, San Fernando East Secondary, ASJA Boys College and San Fernando Central Secondary.

Asgarali, who was shot by bandits in 2013, urged students to never give up despite the challenges they may face.

“I was shot in my face, I could have died and I never give up hope. I used the negative that happened to me to turn it into something positive,” she told students. Asgarali is the author of three books — From Lion to Lamb, Gently Powerful Prayers and Bounce Back Better.