Nikeisha's Tik Tok handbag challenge

Covid19 plus Tik Tok, the social media platform most often used for jokey videos, inspired Nikeisha Ramlal's handbag challenge – with which she hopes to do some serious good.

Ramlal, a teacher who grew up in Petit Valley and lives in central Trinidad, explained that through the handbag challenge people donate used handbags and feminine products to those who are less fortunate.

Ramlal, who goes by the handle @niki92011, said she was drawn to the platform while she was home during the lockdown earlier this year, and grew a large audience through telling her personal stories. She formed a group of 13 Tik Tokkers called the Trini Tik Tok Tribe.

“I made videos about abuse, racism, unity, and coming down to Christmas I decided I wanted to give back to society.

"I had an idea a couple of years ago when I realised how it hurts to throw away old handbags when I get a new one, because the handbag is usually still good. I decided to fill it with feminine products and give it to women who are less fortunate.

"I put it to my team in the second week in December, we did flyers and videos and it went crazy. We’ve collected close to 200 bags so far, and people have reached out to us with at least 60 names of people in their areas who are less fortunate. We’ve also had people reach out to us for donations. Members of the Tribe, who are from different areas, also submitted names of people in need.”

Ramlal said some of the women she donated to were people highlighted in social and traditional media as being in need, such as a woman living in a pavilion, and another with five children whose roof had blown off.

"In addition, I went into Coalmine, a poor area of Sangre Grande, and obviously if you go into an area you’d be able to tell who are less fortunate based on living conditions. So these are the people we reached out to and started our donating."

Ramlal said the programme will target primarily mothers, as she herself has been one for six years, and so the initiative is close to home. She said the bags each contain approximately $200 in products.

“Covid19 hit people hard, people lost their jobs and mothers will take their last dollar and spend it on their children and get deprived. We put nice things in the bags, and we got some designer bags donated. You know how many women out there don’t have handbags?"

It's even become international: "People in the US have been reaching out to me and asking how to help.

"I didn't take any kind of cash...I collected bags with products, people donated empty bags and there were people giving us products. Everybody gives food and toys, I wanted to make a difference and do something different, especially for women, women deserve to be spoiled.”

“My vision for distributing the bags is to knock on doors in some areas and surprise people. I want to make them smile, make them happy, catch them off guard and say, 'This is for you.' Do you know how nice these women will feel when they open the bag and see these things?”

She said the members of the Tribe had started handing out bags in Sangre Grande, Penal, Freeport and other areas, beginning on Sunday.

Ramlal said being on Tik Tok has been fulfilling in a way she did not expect. Sharing her stories about abuse and other issues had helped other people reach out to her and share their stories.

“When you have a platform and open up, you wouldn’t believe how you give people strength, courage, motivation.

"I thought covid19 would be a disaster and I was crying over how I’d support my children and pay my bills, especially with my pay being cut, but I’m the most effective I’ve ever been, here at home and I’m having fun and making people’s day. It’s so fulfilling.”

She said her vision for the Tribe is to make a difference on the Tik Tok platform and to continue with the handbag challenge and other projects.

“I want to do this for evermore. This is my first year and I know it will catch on and keep getting better. I also want us to do inspirational speaking, especially for young women. People are reaching out to me and saying how I changed the platform for TT.

"I’m a humble person, I don’t want to come across as boldfaced, but it’s so fulfilling to make a difference. It’s something I always wanted to do but was too shy or too afraid to let people know who the real me is.

"My entire life I’ve been holding this Niki inside, always wondering what people think. It’s how we’re set up in society, always holding back our opinions for whatever reason. I choose not to do that any more. If you don't have meaning behind what you do, what is the point? If you have a platform, why not use it for something good at the end of the day?”

Ramlal can be reached on social media, via e-mail at trinitiktoktribe@gmail.com and by calling 301-0283.