In the year 2017 a committee was set up by the Ladies of the District Grand Lodge of Trinidad and Tobago & Grenada under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Savita Bhagwat, wife of District Grand Master Rajendra R. Bhagwat, for the main purpose of charitable work.
This had been the brainchild of Mrs. Shirley Salvary, the wife of Peter Salvary, who had requested that I, Savita. Bhagwat, carry on with the work she had started during her husband’s tenure as District Grand Master of Trinidad and Tobago.
Our first major project was held in 2018, an “Evening of Tea Fashions and Entertainment ” held at the Ballroom Radisson Hotel Port of Spain. The sum realised from this was donated by means of items well needed at Three (3) Children Homes in Central
- The Couva Children’s Home
- The Ezekiel Children’s Home
- The Angels of Hope Children’s Home
Further to this, we were able to assist a Brother in urgent need of Medical Treatment and also gave to the Trinidad and Tobago Masonic Charitable Organisation (TTMCO)
We also organised the Ladies stall for the Family Day held at the QRC Grounds every year since 2017 together with hosting a Raffle. The funds derived from those were given to the Scottish Masonic Development Fund (SMDF)
For two years, the Ladies managed a Breakfast and Snacks Stall at the Masonic October Fair and gave the earnings to the TTMCO.
In 2019, we hosted a Luncheon at the Passage to Asia Restaurant in Chaguanas. The proceeds were donated in Cash or Items as needed to the following causes:
- Goodwill Industries POS
- Mary’s Children’s Home Tacarigua
- Ezekiel Children’s Home, Preysal
- Two Brothers to assist with urgent Medical treatment
- The Hindu Prachar Kendra, a Religious and Social Organisation
- A family of (11) whose House was destroyed by fire
- TTMCO
- District Grand Lodge Hamper Relief for Covid19.
We also joined in a Venture in 2019 to supply Bookbags and Stationery Supplies for Children at some Homes.
We aim to undertake more projects of this nature to further assist those in need.
Our 2020 project “Luncheon at Passage to Asia 2” which was carded for June 07th had to be cancelled because of Covid19.
We had chosen a Logo for and purchased a “Ladies of the District Grand Lodge of Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada” Banner which is used at all our functions. This Logo, the Forget-Me-Not Flower, was chosen after much research and assistance from the District Grand Master.
The Forget-Me-Not Flower was used by Masons as a symbol of Charity before the wars and a symbol of remembrance after the wars. We must never forget our duty to the poor and distressed. We must not forget to persevere through troubled times as light and life will always spring anew.
It was therefore significant that this Banner be passed on to the future Ladies group.
However apart from our work, we do find time for fun. While Committees were working on the various projects, we were able to foster great Camaraderie amongst the Ladies and by extension enhanced the bond between the Menfolk and ourselves in a wider circle.
From this came a Trip in 2019 to “Yerette ” the Home of The Hummingbirds which was attended by the Ladies and their Companions.
Savita Bhagwat