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1956 – 2006
Celebrating 50 years of Service
(Dr. Wright not shown)
Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Picture the quiet, laid back town of Point Fortin swirling in the early morning scents of petroleum and ocean breeze. Now try to imagine a sprightly old English doctor, walking around the town, searching for volunteers to distribute condoms and pamphlets on family planning. The quiet town previously known for its contribution to the oil and gas sector now became the home of the first Family Planning Association (FPA) Clinic, in Trinidad and Tobago.
It has been 50 years. In fifty years, what can we say for ourselves? What have we done? Have we made a difference? Only in understanding our legacy, can these questions be answered. In 1956, Dr Beric H Wright decided it was time to follow the trail his mother, Margaret had left as a sexual and reproductive rights activist. While working as a doctor at Shell Trinidad Ltd, Dr Wright decided to start the first Family Planning clinic in Trinidad and Tobago. Suddenly, a quiet, inconspicuous doctor became the focus of controversy, criticism, and ridicule, as he forged ahead with his proposals for the clinic. Ignoring the negative response, he opened the first clinic on September 23, 1956, as a branch of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The aim of the clinic was to bring medically approved methods of family planning and contraceptive services within the reach of low-income people throughout the island and to subsidize the cost of supplies for the poor and the needy.
“Recognising that women in our communities had inadequate knowledge to prepare their adolescent children for approaching maturity, we knew we had to help them, both adults and adolescents in a special way. We began to think of an education service for young people and for men.”
- Mrs Aileen Fraser, Education Officer.
1956 was to become a year of great historical significance, not only for FPA but also for Trinidad and Tobago. There was talk of a new political party set to stir the political pot and win over the people. For FPA, December 1957 marked the formal opening of the Point Fortin clinic by Sir Grantley Adams.
The clinic was staffed with volunteers from the area as many recognised the great work the Association was about to embark on. They included doctors, nurses, nursing aides and clerical staff. Eventually, the same pattern developed in Port of Spain, giving rise to clinics in the northern part of the island. By 1961, the members ratified a constitution for the Trinidad and Tobago Family Planning Association, which was approved at the Western Hemisphere Regional Council Meeting of the IPPF in Barbados. Trinidad and Tobago became the 32nd member of the IPPF and three of the country’s members were elected to positions on the Council in New York. Once again, the Association opened a clinic in San Fernando in 1962. This time, the value of the venture was recognized and a small group of residents from San Fernando and Pointe a Pierre came forward and kept the clinic going.
It was clear, something great was born. Slowly, but steadily, great men and women joined the fight to make FPA a success. Sifting through the archives to unearth an amazing history, it was immensely clear that every single individual that became a part of the Association in the early days, made a significant impact on where we are today. Every single page tells of Nicky McBride and her constant diligence in finding the right people to fight for the cause. In the last interviews done with each pioneer in 1996, almost every one of them said they joined on the convincing words of Mrs McBride. Now fifty years later, the walls of the Association resonate with the emotions and legacy of the many that walked the halls before.
Today, the Association has five clinics: Port of Spain, San Fernando, Tobago, the Outreach programme and De Living Room for adolescents. The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) is no longer viewed as a bunch of activists, peddling condoms and preaching safe sex. FPATT is recognised as a pioneer in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health care within the region, fighting for the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves, reaching the under served in the community with services they desperately need and helping young people make responsible sexual decisions. For fifty years, the Association struggled through financial and staff constraints to provide sexual and reproductive health care services to Trinidad and Tobago. Yet the commitment and the vision of the pioneers have left a deep imprint on our work today. The 90s became the decade of revolution. In 1996, FPATT established the first male health clinic in the region, which focused on increasing screening rates for prostate cancer. At the time, Trinidad and Tobago had one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the region. The “For Men Only” Clinic has become a pivotal service for increasing male awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Those who are still with us today, remember clearly some of the great tales of the 90s.
“Korea village, a squatter community in Central Trinidad is surrounded by cane fields and was first visited by myself and a Health Educator on 26th July 1994. When we arrived, there were about thirty women sitting and awaiting us under a house. They were very enthusiastic and wanted us to return the following week for them to have pap smears. This service was to be performed at the local recreation club. We arrived with our cardboard box of supplies and equipment. A curtain was erected as a screen and a pool table with a piece of sponge on it was used as the examination table. A Carib box was used as a stool for the clients to step up onto the table. However, despite the primitive conditions, we afforded clients their privacy and confidentiality. The room was the local bar and the surrounding walls were all covered with posters of semi-naked women in various poses. This did not detract from the importance of the service which we were delivering,”
- Anna Maynard, VCT Coordinator, FPATT
“Sister Rosario, a Catholic nun in Matelot, heard about our visits to Gran Riviere Health Centre in November 1993 and May 1994 and wanted us to give a lecture on family planning to a group of community Birth Attendants. Sister Rosario did not sit in the audience but was at the back of the room when we did our presentation. We subsequently made a visit in July of 1994 to perform Pap Smears. These were done upstairs the presbytery of the church with our fold up massage table and screen,”
- Anna Maynard, VCT Coordinator, FPATT
But with the turn of the century and the dawning of the new millennium, FPATT took on the challenge of becoming a pioneer in every new project it undertook. The millennium breathed new life into the Association with new ideas, new people and new clinics. Yet with each new venture, some small but significant part of the past clings on to give motivation and inspiration. Each face in our history tells a story. Over the past fifty years, FPATT has seen many faces. Some stay for a while, some have moved on, some have died and some are still with us today. Even if the faces are forgotten, the stories never are. We are who we are today because of the people who gave of themselves to make the Association a success.
This year, we honour these people and the invaluable contributions they have made to the Family Planning Association of Trinidad & Tobago. Through our work, their legacy will live on.
