Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago is a developing nation composed of two islands located at the southern end of the Caribbean chain of islands. The economy of T&T is heavily dependent on the production and export of petroleum and gas, making it extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in world oil prices. The government has implemented an economic reform program and a steady improvement is expected, due in part to diversification into agriculture, non-oil manufacturing and tourism.Recent estimates indicate that poverty levels are continuing to rise - 21 percent to 22 percent - with a further widening in the distribution of income. About half of these individuals are considered extremely poor -- those who are unable to afford even basic foods. Although the national school-feeding program has been reorganized in an attempt to increase the number of schools it serves, the country is reliant on the food provided by charitable groups to feed schoolchildren and the needy.

Food For The Poor in Trinidad

Food For The Poor works with four orphanages as part of the Angels of Hope program. Through this program, 141 children receive shelter and an education. Most importantly, they receive the loving care that most have been lacking previously.

An important component of Food For The Poor assistance is through Goods in Kind. Shipments to Trinidad include goods that serve basic needs as well as provide food, general healthcare items, and educational supplies.

In a world where the illiterate, hungry, homeless and destitute spill onto the streets of Trinidad every day, Food For The Poor recognizes the need for basic care, nourishment and self-development programs managed in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

General Information - Trinidad

Area - 5,128 square kilometers (Trinidad is slightly smaller than Delaware)
Population - 1,229,953 (July 2009 est.)
Capital - Port-of-Spain
Independence Day, Aug. 31, 1962
Languages - English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese
Religion - Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)
Currency - The Trinidad Tobago Dollar or TTD. (6 TTD = $1 US)
Unemployment - 5.5% (2008 est.)
Literacy rate - Total population: 98.6% | Male: 99.1% | Female: 98% (Defined: Age 15 and over can read and write), (2003 census)

Trinidad Demographics
By Age: (2009 est.) 0-14 years: 19.6% (male 123,214/female 117,584) 15-64 years: 72.6% (male 457,868/female 434,486) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 41,467/female 55,334)	Infant Mortality: (2009 est.) Total: 29.93 deaths/1,000 live births Male: 31.14 deaths/1,000 live births Female: 28.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Median Age: (2009 est.) Total: 32.1 years Male: 31.6 years Female: 32.7 years	Life Expectancy: (2009 est.) Total population: 70.86 years Male: 67.98 years Female: 73.82 years

Trinidad History

First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The ethnic makeup of Trinidad and Tobago is almost equal proportions of persons of African and East Indian descent, approximately 40 percent of each, with the remaining 20 percent consisting mainly of persons of mixed ethnicity.

Trinidad

Food For The Poor in Trinidad

General Information - Trinidad

Trinidad Demographics

Trinidad History