WELCOME TO ANGOSTURA^®

At an awards ceremony held on Friday 7th December, The House of Angostura announced the five finalists for its inaugural Angostura Champions Award for community service: Christopher Dennis, Elspeth Duncan, Frank Edwards, Koriella Espinoza and Donald McLean James. Koriella Espinoza was subsequently named the “Angostura Champion of the Year 2018” at the formal event held at the company’s premises.

Launched this year, Angostura Champions is an annual awards programme initiated by the company to celebrate individuals who perform outstanding community service and work toward improving the lives of others in Trinidad and Tobago. The awards programme aims to showcase the chosen Champions’ exceptional contributions to society, thus encouraging a sense of service, much needed in our nation today.

This year’s winner, Koriella Espinoza, is the founder of Korie’s Kids, an organization that supports children diagnosed with cancer and their families, and has empowered children since 2005. The other nominees’ work was also highly commendable. Christopher Dennis has for over seven years, run a youth coaching programme called Fools Can’t Surf, which motivates young people in Balandra and the surrounding areas through sport. Elspeth Duncan is a dedicated animal rescuer and animal welfare activist, active in Tobago. Frank Edwards is the founder and manager of the Morvant Football Academy, which has built camaraderie amongst young people in the community for over a decade. Donald McLean James is the founder of the Professional Barbering School, which mentors young people and provides free haircuts to those in need.

Nominations were open to the public for six weeks in August and September and the programme received an overwhelming number of high-caliber nominations. Nominated individuals were judged by a panel of notable members of society who selected the five finalists and then the “Angostura Champion of the Year 2018” through a points-based system.

“The House of Angostura has always taken its role as a responsible corporate citizen seriously and is proud to present this new initiative, celebrating and supporting the service being done by responsible, caring, citizens across the country,” said Terrence Bharath, Chairman of Angostura Limited. “It is wonderful to see the exceptional work being done by dedicated individuals and we would like to extend sincere appreciation to all those who sent in their nominations,” he ended.

On December 12^th, 2020 Angostura^® held its 2^nd Champions Award which showcased benevolent citizens for their noble causes. The Angostura Champions Award is the Company’s way of recognizing and admiring those in society who give of themselves selflessly to assist others. It is a biennial programme which was first hosted in 2018, in which Angostura^® received nominations from across Trinidad and Tobago, and this year was no different.

Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath says, “We at Angostura^® consider ourselves to be Champions. We strive for excellence in all that we do just as the five finalists of the Champions Award. During a global pandemic, the aim of the Angostura Champions Award 2020 was to triumph over darkness.”

Angostura^® received hundreds of nominations and after a difficult selection process, a panel of esteemed judges selected five finalists. The judges included Mr Sieunarine Coosal, Mrs. Zalayhar Hassanali, Ms. Jacqueline Quamina and Mr. Jehue Gordon. The winner of the Champions Award was selected by the judges and through online voting.

Angostura^® would like to salute the 5 finalists of the Angostura Champions Award 2020 and to congratulate the winner, Ms. Elizabeth Aleong. Ms. Aleong learned to not just cope with her two differently abled children, but she works at providing therapy and support services for children with disabilities regardless of a family’s income. After surviving a bilateral stroke in 2018 and learning how to walk and talk again; it gave her more encouragement and drive to assist children with disabilities. It was because of this she received the Angostura Champions Award 2020. She received a trophy and $50,000.00.

The other finalists all received trophies and $10,000.00 each and included domestic violence advocate, Ms. Valdeen Tamara-Shears. She emerged from an abusive relationship and transitioned from victim to survivor to advocate. She is lobbying for legislative changes regarding domestic violence and advocating for the implementation and enforcement of Electronic Tracking Bracelets, corresponding Victim App Alert and Mandatory Rehabilitation Counselling for abusers.

Another finalist, Mr. Shivam Teelucksingh, is an entrepreneur and freelance computer technician who was forced to close his pharmacy due to the strains from COVID-19. Unemployed, he then sold his vehicle and used the proceeds from the sale and his IT skills to provide free computer repairs for parents and assisted them in navigating online education platforms for their children.

Ms. Anushka Teelucksingh, harnessed the life-giving force of blood donations. After having to source blood for her father in 2009 and realizing how difficult it was, she started to coordinate blood drives to assist others. Mr. Kenneth Listhrop has funnelled his musical energies into the next generation through the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic of which he is the music director. He formed the group to teach children music.

In acknowledging the hard work and dedication of the finalists, Mr. Bharath said, “It takes a special person to give of themselves unselfishly for no reward. It takes a special person to understand that there is a reward from being kind to others. There is at the end of the day a feeling of joy and fulfilment from assisting others.”

Senator the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon said, “I congratulate the Angostura^® team on this initiative aimed at showcasing and recognizing the extraordinary contributions made by distinguished citizens who have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others.”

The winners of the 2022 Angostura Youth Champions Awards were announced on December 19. This year, the Award was realigned to focus on the youth who have persevered through personal challenges and adversities to make a significant difference to their lives, the lives of others and to our national community. The public was invited to nominate persons in two categories – 12 – 19 years and 20 – 25 years.

Angostura® received over 277 nominations from the public, out of which six finalists were shortlisted. There were three finalists in each category. The winner in each category received $40,000 and the other four finalists received $10,000 each from Angostura®. The funds are to assist in furthering their education and career goals.

Chairman of Angostura Holdings Limited, Mr. Terrence Bharath said, “The Angostura Youth Champions Awards represent the Company’s commitment to our Corporate Social Responsibility in support of the continued growth and development of our future leaders and advocates. Angostura® is always keen to assist those most in need, in the creation of healthier, more empowered communities across our nation. You, our Youth Champions have demonstrated, through your personal advocacy and commitment that challenge is but a bridge to excellence and achievement.”

Head Judge of the Angostura Youth Champions Awards and Executive Director of the Coosal’s Group of Companies, Ms. Tricia Coosal said, “These young people have evoked in me, overwhelming feelings of hope, inspiration, talent and respect. They are shining lights, driving forces and role models for their peers, communities and the nation. They have overcome personal and environmental adversities that will understandably, withhold any normal person from doing anything productive, to achieve great things with their young lives.”