Jack wants Children's Post Trauma Assistance Program in honour of kidnap victim

Neil Ramshubhag with his parents - a picture of relief

Works Minister Jack Warner has promised a Children's Post Trauma Assistance Programme to assist children as a tribute to the bravery of 13-year Neil Ramsubhag.

Neil was abducted from his home by bandits posing as police officers, who robbed the family and escaped. The young man managed to escape and was rescued by police after wandering for a while in the Valencia forest.

Warner made a promise on Sunday to honour the young man with a national award, saying Neil bravery deserves national recognition.

On Wednesday he submitted details in keeping with the promise.

"Young Neil Ramsubhag represents every child who has ever found themselves in harm's way, whether through abandonment, abuse, neglect or as in this case from the viciousness of evil men who invaded the safe haven of his home and took him away.

"He escaped physically but now the journey to escape the emotional trauma begins. It will take immense courage to get him through this but it will also take the assistance of others through professional post trauma counseling.

"It is in this context that I announced that Neil Ramsubhag is deserving of an award. He must become a symbol of survival and hope for so many children who endure trauma of all kinds.

"Let the nation recognise this plight and use this as a rallying cause for the children of Trinidad and Tobago.

"I propose the award take the form of a Children Post Trauma Assistance Programme funded by the private sector with the assistance of the government, established in young Ramsubhag's name.

"Anyone who identified with the terror experienced by this young man and his family will understand the need for such a programme.

"I can think of no better way to honour his resilience and strength of character; I can think of no better way to build a national resolve to assist children who do not have the benefit of professional counseling during and after all kinds of trauma they experience everyday across Trinidad and Tobago.

"Sometimes it takes one incident, one event that touches a common chord among people that becomes a catalyst for change; a moment that defines how we respond as a nation to an injustice and the way we seek to right the wrongs.

"The award of the programme in Neil's name will be indelibly written in our history as a moment when we decided to collectively assist all our children by committing ourselves to doing something about it.

"Neil must not remain an innocent victim of a society gone wrong but an unwilling hero of circumstances thrust upon him through which so many other children will be set free.

"That is the way I choose to honour this story. That is the way this nation can confer its best award on him.

Jack Warner, Member of Parliament | Chaguanas West"
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