From St. Jude’s to Success: How One Trinidad Institution Is Transforming Lives
A Saturday Afternoon That Tells a Bigger Story
It’s just before 1:00 PM on a Saturday in St. James. Over lunch, two young women—Adasha and Patricia—share a story that is difficult to express and yet very inspiring.
Their journey is not just personal. It is proof that social intervention in Trinidad and Tobago works—and that institutions like St. Jude’s School for Girls operated by the Carmelite nuns who are quietly transforming lives every day.
Impact at a Glance:
Success from St. Jude’s School for Girls
Patricia
Graduate of University of the West Indies (Accounting)
Audit Senior at Ernst & Young
Fully ACCA certified within two years
Adasha
Former national netball player
Engineering Department, Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service
Aspiring counsellor
The Struggle for Survival – Youth at Risk
Adasha and Patricia’s early years in Point Fortin were defined by instability. There was no electricity, running water, or consistent meals. There were also long periods of abandonment due to their mother’s addiction. They endured frequent moves and unsafe environments.
At just eight years old, Patricia learned to cook to keep her siblings alive. School became their only refuge—until even that was taken away.
The Turning Point: Becoming Wards of the Court
After repeated interventions by police and family members, the girls were taken into state care. Eventually, they were placed at St. Jude’s School for Girls in Port of Spain—a moment that would redefine their future.
For Adasha, the transition was traumatic.
For Patricia, it became an opportunity.
How St. Jude’s School for Girls Transforms Lives
At St. Jude’s, the girls experienced something unfamiliar – a safe place to sleep, three meals a day, consistent access to education and emotional support and structure.
Beyond basic care, the institution provides:
Academic pathways (CXC, CAPE)
Skills training (Culinary Arts, Dressmaking, Beauty)
Creative development (Art, Dance, Drama)
Most importantly, it offers stability and belief.
Education as a Pathway: From St. Jude’s to UWI
Patricia’s academic journey was shaped by mentorship and opportunity.
Encouraged by her teacher, she applied for the GATE Programme, was accepted into the University of the West Indies and graduated with a degree in accounting.
Her breakthrough came at a university career fair, where she connected with Ernst & Young. Despite the emotional challenge of sharing her past during the interview, she secured the job.
“If I set my mind to something, I achieve it.”
Today, she is an Audit Senior and a role model for countless young women.
Sport as Therapy: Finding Balance Through Netball
For Adasha, healing came through sport.
Introduced to netball at St. Jude’s, she progressed to the national netball team, and went on to represent Trinidad and Tobago internationally. Sport became her outlet—restoring confidence, discipline, and identity.
Today, Adasha works in the Engineering Department of the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service—one of only a few women in the unit.
Life After St. Jude’s: The Transition Challenge
One of the biggest gaps in the system is what happens after children leave institutional care. At 18, many girls return to unstable environments as financial independence is difficult to achieve. Emotional support systems may also disappear.
The Solution: Transition Housing
Transition housing is needed for girls aging out of the system at 18+
They also need 18–24 months of structured support
Guidance and assistance with employment and independence
These initiatives could significantly improve long-term outcomes for graduates.
The Role of Family, Mentorship and Support Systems
Both sisters were fortunate to receive support from an older sibling after leaving St. Jude’s—a rare advantage.
For many others, that safety net does not exist.
This is why corporate sponsorship and volunteerism remain critical to sustaining and expanding programmes like these.
Every Life Matters at St. Jude’s School for Girls
This is not just a story of hardship—it is a data point in human transformation.
It proves that:
Early intervention changes life trajectories.
Education and mentorship are powerful equalizers.
CSR investments in social institutions deliver measurable impact.
How You Can Help: Volunteer or Support St. Jude’s
St. Jude’s relies heavily on community and corporate support.
Ways to Get Involved:
Volunteer your time or skills
Sponsor education and training programmes
Support the transition housing initiative
Donate supplies or funding
Investment in People always brings a good return
Adasha and Patricia’s journey is a powerful reminder.
When institutions invest in people, the return is not just success—it is transformation.
From a childhood marked by instability to careers in finance and national service, their lives stand as living proof of what is possible when support meets determination.