Philippine typhoon victims receive aid from the Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic.Corporate and Charitable Organisations have responded to Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago’s (HFHTT) call for assistance for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. The first cheque donation of $25,000 was handed to the Disaster Relief Fund by the Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic in a brief ceremony at the office of Habitat Trinidad and Tobago on Monday 18 November 2013.

Representing the PMCGC Committee were Rianna Harrinauth, Chairperson, Vashti Phekoo, Treasurer/Director, and Bill Ramrattan, Director, who presented the cheque to Jennifer Massiah, National Director of HFHTT.

Ms. Phekoo said, “We saw on the news last week the devastation and the hunger. We saw that we needed to reach out someway.” Mr. Ramrattan explained, “There is an active Filipino community here in Trinidad and Tobago, and as they are contributing to our society here, we felt the need to give back.” Ms. Harrinauth sent out a plea to other charitable organisations: “Everybody must chip in. The people of the Philippines need health care, food and shelter.”

In response, Jennifer Massiah stated, “Thank you to the PMCGC for responding. Bless their hearts. We are very concerned about our brothers and sisters in thePhilippines. We have all seen the heart-wrenching pictures of children standing in water amid the debris of what used to be their homes. Habitat for Humanity International is sending 50,000 cleaning kits and 30,000 shelter kits immediately, and plans to build 10,000 core houses. We say to people across the world to get on board, get involved, help our sisters and brothers.”

Habitat Trinidad and Tobago thanks all those who have supported us thus far, and continues to urge everyone to contribute generously to the relief effort by:

Text donations via Digicel to 11910
Deposits to Republic Bank Park Street Account Number 180482534101
Cheques to “Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago”

About the Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic (PMCGC)
The Prime Minister’s Charity Golf Classic (PMCGC) is a charitable association registered in 1997 under the Corporations Act of 1995. This association holds annual golf tournaments under the distinguished patronage of the Honorable Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. The proceeds from these tournaments are distributed to charitable cases on a needs be basis.

Over the past seventeen years the tournament has grown from strength to strength and is now recognized as one of the most prestigious events on the annual golfing calendar of Trinidad and Tobago. One of the key success factors has been the continued sponsorship and donations from some of the leading corporations in the country. To date the Prime Minister‘s Charity Golf Classic has donated over $5 million to charitable cases up to 2013, including providing a Mobile Screening Clinic to the Cancer Society of Trinidad & Tobago valued over $700,000. (www.PMCharityGolf.com)

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. (www.habitat.org)

Locally, Habitat Trinidad and Tobago has provided more than 300 housing solutions and served upwards of 4000 individuals through housing initiatives, financial training and disaster risk reduction programmes. To learn more, donate or volunteer, please visit habitat-tt.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter at habitatTNT