Sagicor partners with Sewa TT on face masks

June 18, 2020

With no end in sight to the global COVID-19 pandemic and infection numbers increasing daily, corporate Trinidad and Tobago continues to help nationals that need additional support in the fight against the virus.

Sagicor is one such entity and the life and general insurer recently partnered with not-for-profit service organisation Sewa International TT (Sewa TT) to donate masks to the less fortunate. Sagicor is pleased to have partnered with Sewa TT on several initiatives in the past including flood relief in 2018 and 2019, as well as yoga classes for Sagicor’s online camp. Sewa TT, through a network of over 100 private seamstresses and volunteers, aims to produce 20,000 reuseable face masks for free distribution to those who are unable to afford them.

Sewa TT brings together like-minded individuals, working towards building a national network of volunteers dedicated to the cause of working for the unity of the society and the removal of social disparities in Trinidad and Tobago

Revan Teelucksingh, President of Sewa TT, said, “Sewa TT took up this initiative as we see COVID-19 as being long term. Sewa TT has been working with over 100 seamstresses, and so far over 18,000 masks have produced for distribution. We streamlined the process by collecting the finished masks which are then washed, packaged and labelled with care instructions at one location by people who have been self-isolating for this purpose. We have also coordinated with district medical officers and councillors to reach out to the most vulnerable to supply them with these free masks.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has reached the Caribbean, Sewa TT has launched several projects to support the most vulnerable in the country, including daily online yoga classes, seedling distribution, food support, medical supplies, a toll-free comfort line, and blood donation drives.

Their approach of empowering communities and providing relief to those affected by natural or man-made disasters aligns with Sagicor’s commitment “to be a great company committed to improving the lives of the people in the communities in which we operate”.

Commenting on the partnership, Robert Trestrail, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Sagicor Life Inc, said, “With COVID-19 disrupting the day-to-day lives of nationals, Sagicor wanted to ease the economic burden to those who needed the support. Once the recommendation came to wear masks, Sewa TT came to Sagicor with an opportunity to support seamstresses, as well as those affected by loss of income. It was an easy decision to come onboard an initiative that has such a wide-ranging impact.”

President of Sewa TT Revan Teelucksingh, left, and Varuna Samaroo,
Treasurer, receive a cheque from Robert Trestrail, Executive Vice President
and General Manager, Sagicor Life Inc, for Sewa TT’s reuseable mask initiative,
at Sagicor’s head office in Port of Spain, on Friday, June 5.