Dear Sir
I take this opportunity to extend warm greetings to all mothers of our beloved Trinidad and Tobago.
Motherhood requires tremendous dedication and sacrifice, and we are all grateful for the love and guidance that you provide to your children and families. You are truly the pillar of our society, and your selfless and tireless efforts in raising the next generation of leaders are invaluable to the development of our nation.
We owe a debt of gratitude to our mothers for nurturing us and guiding us through life’s challenges. Indeed, I am mindful of the many sacrifices my own mother made for me, to ensure that I had the best opportunities to grow and succeed. Without her love and support, I would not be the person I am today.
On this Mother’s Day, let us take the time to tell our mothers how much we love and appreciate them. Let us give them the gift of our time, our attention, and our love.
I would also like to recognize single parents and any mothers who may be struggling at this time. I know you may be hurting, and I call on the government to do more to give you the support you need.
Let us also remember the mothers who are no longer with us. Let us keep them in our hearts and minds, and let us continue to honour their memory.
Even as we celebrate Mother’s Day, we cannot ignore the horrendous crime situation in our country. Too many mothers have lost their lives to murderers. Just this week, we learned of the tragic death of a young mother whose body was found in the Queen’s Park Savannah.
Too many mothers have lost their sons and daughters to violence. Too many mothers live in fear for their own safety and the safety of their children.
Children are losing their parents, siblings and relatives to criminals. As violent home invasions continue to occur, we are hearing harrowing reports of families being killed in their homes. I maintain that making home invasions a specific criminal offence, as well as implementing “stand your ground” legislation, are critical in the crime fight.
We must do more to protect our mothers, our children, and all citizens. I believe that we can create a society where we can live without fear and where our children can grow up healthy and happy. I pledge to work towards creating a more supportive and equitable environment for mothers and families in our country.
To all the mothers of Trinidad and Tobago, I wish you a very happy Mother’s Day.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP
Leader of the Opposition
