The Toco Old Boys & Girls Association was established as a non-profit charitable community organization in the mid nineteen sixties. Foundation members comprised mainly of former residents of the Village Communities between Rampanalgas on the East Coast & Matelot on the North Coast. These Individuals at the time were the "cream of the crop" of high achievers who had excelled in their specific fiel
ds of endeavor spanning all of Education, Social Work, National Security, Business & Construction among others. Some of the Founding Members included Fitzroy Thomas, Louisa Lindsay, Albert Peters, Albert Monsegue, Leslie Grandison, Rita & Eli Worrell, Oswald Yan Hip, Iona Rousseau, and Eulyn Dove,to name a few, who succeeded against all odds having grown up and had their early education in the said communities. In the initial years the primary focus of the organization was the provision of relief to many Primary School students who succeeded at the then Common Entrance Examinations and gained places in Secondary Schools throughout the country, but whose families could not afford neither the cost of travelling to these schools, nor that of Room & Board in these areas. Many of these early recipients of assistance have done exceedingly well & include Andrew Jupiter, Leroy Williams, Joycelyn Greene, Carol & Bernard Nixon, Anthony Thomas, and Kenrick Balfour. In the recent past the Association took a decision to include in all activities, the communities of Matura & Salybia, two other significant village communities along the Toco Main Road which lie on the outskirts of the St.Andrew County which is centered in the town of Sangre Grande. The Association's ''founding fathers'' subsequently encouraged other residents and even some ex-patriots to contribute to the outreach & would eventually play host to an Annual Ball held on the Emancipation Day Holiday Weekend, (then Discovery Day). This event would contribute substantial funding to assist with the Educational Thrust. The Association since then has expanded its roles to include all of the following:- (I) The provision of school books & small grants to students at both Secondary & Primary School levels. (ii) The organizing of an Education Day Project to assist students at both school levels to improve on their academic achievements. (iii) The Provision of Starter Savings Accounts at the Unit Trust Corporation of Trinidad & Tobago. (iv) Assisting in organizing & promoting of Community Cultural activities for groups & individuals in the communities. (v) The Provision of financial assistance to deserving individuals affected by some critical health and / or other social issues. (vi) Assisting with & promotion of Sporting activities for the residents of the communities. (vii) The Provision of financial assistance to schools, churches, & other community organizations in executing some of their annual activities, and (viii) The hosting of an Annual Christmas Luncheon for Senior Citizens who reside in the Toco District. In general, the Association is committed to the upliftment of the Village Communities along the North East Coast, commonly referred to as Toco. In pursuance of this goal, the Association continues to engage the civil authorities, non-government organizations & residents in dialogue and activities that would contribute in improving the standard of living and educational achievement of all residents. At present the Association is undertaking a project to construct a building on a plot of land donated for the purpose of establishing its operational Headquarters. The building will include space for the hosting of important Educational Workshops and like activities aimed at enlightening members of the communities in matters that affect their everyday lifestyles. The Annual General Meetings of the Association is guided by a written Constitution which guides the roles & functions of all officers & members of the organization.
