In our communities, and specifically within our schools, the narrative surrounding young men is often fraught with challenges. We see the statistics, the systemic gaps, and the unique pressures that teenage boys face today. But where others see vulnerability, the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain sees an extraordinary reservoir of potential.
Standing on the Shoulders of Inspiration
For me, this mission is deeply personal. I am incredibly proud to say that the global visionary behind the World Day of the Boy Child, and the founder of International Men’s Day, is my university lecturer, Historian, Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh.
Dr. Teelucksingh’s groundbreaking work right here in Trinidad and Tobago has ignited a global movement across dozens of countries, advocating for the well-being of boys and men. He has always been a profound source of inspiration to me, showing us that gender equality cannot be achieved if our boys are left behind, invisible, or forgotten. He taught us to look past the negative labels and instead build spaces that foster self-esteem, emotional openness, and genuine support.
Meeting Boys Where They Are
As someone who has spent 24 years as a secondary school teacher and Head of Department specialising in teaching teenage boys, I know firsthand the truth in Dr. Teelucksingh’s philosophy. Reaching a young man requires a distinct blend of firm boundaries and unconditional belief. Boys do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. They thrive on mentorship, they desperately seek positive role models, and they need structured environments where their energy can be channelled into leadership.
This is precisely where Rotary’s mission intersects with the classroom. Through our youth-led Interact clubs, we are actively operationalising this vision for young men in Port-of-Spain.
We are immensely proud to sponsor and guide three all-male Interact clubs that are doing phenomenal work:
- St. Anthony’s College
- St. Francis College
- St. Mary’s College- our newest, vibrant addition to the Rotary family.
In these spaces, we aren’t just teaching boys how to run meetings; we are teaching them how to see a need in their community and possess the confidence and capability to fix it. We are showing them that true strength lies in service, and that the ultimate mark of a man is how he lifts those around him.
Inclusivity and the Co-Ed Dynamic
Of course, our mission of mentorship extends beyond all-male spaces. At Woodbrook Secondary, where we serve both boys and girls, our focus remains on fostering healthy, respectful partnerships between young men and women. By supporting the boys in co-educational environments, we teach them the vital importance of collaboration, mutual respect, and shared leadership—skills that are indispensable for the modern world.
How We Can Help: The Educator and Rotarian Blueprint
To truly support our boys, we must move past old stereotypes and meet the specific needs of the 21st-century young man. Here is how we, as a collective force of educators and Rotarians, can make a lasting impact:
1. Cultivate Safe Spaces for Vulnerability
Boys, especially in the Caribbean, are often conditioned to mask their struggles behind a facade of toughness. We must create environments—both in the classroom and in our Interact clubs—where they can speak honestly about their anxieties, academic pressures, and future aspirations without fear of judgment.
2. Provide Tangible, Action-Oriented Mentorship
Teenage boys respond to action. When Rotarians show up to project sites, roll up their sleeves, and work alongside Interactors, we are modelling what accountability and work ethic look like. We show them that leadership is not a title; it is a behaviour.
3. Focus on Literacy and Life Skills
Globally, boys face distinct challenges with literacy and academic engagement. By tying service projects to skill-building, reading initiatives, and critical thinking, we bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world execution.
A Call to Action
To my fellow Rotarians, educators, and community members: let us use this World Day of the Boy Child to recommit to our youth. The investments we make today in the young men of St. Anthony’s, St. Francis, St. Mary’s, and Woodbrook Secondary will yield a harvest of stable families, safer communities, and visionary leadership tomorrow.
Let us continue to guide them with Service Above Self, ensuring that every boy we touch knows that he is seen, he is valued, and he is entirely capable of changing the world.