Trinbago Diaspora Outreach Network (TDON) Convention at Mt Irvine Hotel Tobago brought the curtain down on the groundbreaking 10-day Homecoming Extravaganza. TDON is an incorporated non-profit headed by Dr. Andre Phillips. Key activities of the Convention included, an inter faith service on Sunday 28th, the immersive authentic cultural showcase which featured some of the nation’s top acts exhibiting pan, tassa, spoken word and limbo skills and the grand closing with a reenactment of the Moriah Ole Time Wedding.
The convention with 2 days of conference activities which had presenters from US, UK and Germany alongside local experts who addressed topics such as health care management, diaspora entrepreneurship, sports development, tourism and trade opportunities.
Trinbago Diaspora Outreach Network struck a partnership with CAL in May which included airline discounted flights from Canada and the New York area to Trinidad and Tobago during Homecoming period from August 20th to August 30th, 2022.
Arthur Stephen, a real estate professional residing in Tobago won the special giveaway of a return ticket to New York donated by Caribbean Airlines, a gold sponsor of the Diaspora Homecoming Convention. The award was handed out by Heather Granville CAL Operations Manager at Crown Point Tobago. The winner was the first purchaser of the Conference ticket and the most consistent attendee of all four sessions of the Diaspora Conference. He expressed delight at his good fortune.
Organisers felt Homecoming 2022 was successful despite the inclement weather which placed a damper on outdoor activities. The organisation had an extremely high turnout for the Medical Outreach activities in both islands. In Tobago, 101 residents received services on the day of highest turnout. In Trinidad, 229 persons were in attendance at Moruga on the day of highest turnout.
Trinbago Diaspora Outreach Network will evaluate the blossoming of Homecoming of 2022 to continue its patriotic mission of Reconnecting, Rediscovering and Rejuvenating nationals to the beautiful twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
The second edition of Homecoming T&T is proposed for July 2023.