The victory of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra in this year's National Panorama finals comes as a shining light for the people of Laventille, especially given the recent upsurge in crime where two school children were gunned down while on their way home.
It was the 11th win for the large band steel orchestra after a long 16-year drought season. Another Laventille-based band, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille also managed to cop third place in the medium band category.
Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, who was on stage when the results were announced, sent out a heartfelt congratulations to the Panorama 2016 champions.
Gadsby-Dolly said she believes the victory will showcase Laventille in a different light, instead of the stereotype of the people of Laventille involved in guns and gangs. “The Laventille bands, its members showed everyone that they could achieve the best and reach to that pinnacle of success,” Gadsby-Dolly said.
She added that her ministry, on the heels of Despers victory, will now be working on strategies to channel in the young people positively.
“We want to do things to keep capturing the positivity and in some way, I would like to work with the youths and really see how many young people we could get to channel them in that right and positive path. I was on stage and I heard certain comments from people and it brought that sense of relief and contentment that yes, positive things can come out of Laventille,” Gadsby-Dolly added.
Residents on the hill yesterday celebrated Despers pan side's victory despite the fact that the band was forced to move out because of crime. On December 12, the side made a temporary move to Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain at the Greyfriars' church compound.
T&T Guardian, was however, told yesterday that refurbishment works were currently underway at Despers original site in Laventille and the band was expected to return, hopefully very soon in the near future. Part of the refurbishment works is to include a theatre.
In an interview yesterday, Councillor for the Beetham/Picton area, which Despers falls under, Akil Audain described the placement of both bands, especially Despers’ victory as a positive sign.
“The victory could not have come at a better time than this. Recently we were plunged into mourning and still shaken up over the murders of the boys but at least this victory and Sounds Specialist coming in third in their category are enough for us to celebrate and feel happy and positive about ourselves,” Audain said.
Audain said he believes that the victory is just the beginning of the positive transformation of the people of Laventille.
“I believe that this victory will impact positively on the people of Laventille and hopefully when the band returns to the hills it will draw the young people to it in a positive manner. This is like a shining light. This is what the people of Laventille need to begin its healing from crime,” he said.
Retired lay minister at the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Wendell Noel also sent out congratulations to Desperadoes and said that he feel a sense of pride.
“This is a tremendous victory for the people of Laventille and I am more than happy for them,” Noel said. He added that he strongly believes that the band's victory will motivate and encourage the young people to join the band in an attempt to turn away from the life of crime.
“It will show them that they can be part of something good, successful and something in which the entire country could be proud of,” Noel said.