Proman and Habitat for Humanity announces a renewed 3-year partnership to deliver safe and resilient housing solutions across Trinidad and Tobago
Leading methanol and ammonia producer Proman and Habitat for Humanity Trinidad & Tobago today announced a 3-year renewal of their partnership valued at over TT$4.7 million (US$700,000.00). Through this investment, Proman will continue its support for Habitat’s safe housing programmes aimed at reducing the level of vulnerability to hazardous weather events in communities across the country, improve disaster readiness and deliver essential training and skills to improve resilient construction techniques for homes.
This is Proman’s third national partnership with Habitat, as part of the company’s long-term commitment to sustainable skills development and supporting local communities. The initiative will directly support several of the UN’s core global development goals, by increasing the provision of safe and affordable shelter and strengthening disaster risk resilience in Trinidad and Tobago.
Proman’s ongoing partnership with Habitat has enabled housing restoration and rebuilding efforts for numerous individuals and families in Trinidad who suffered significant damage to their homes as a result of extreme rainfall and high winds. Here are their stories:
Eastlyn and family, San Juan – “The foundation from our home was ripped out and we gave up all hope. My nine neighbours were also scared as all of our houses would now be in line to go down with another landslide. Habitat visited and I thought to myself, here we go again, another group visiting for the ‘umpteenth’ time. I then saw materials being delivered and realized that it was for my repairs. Truly, a miracle occurred as we received the help we needed to be safe in our homes.”
Enarie and Family, Cedros – “Words cannot express the horror of seeing what you saved for and build for your family just go in an instant. The rain started and cracks formed, the walls fell and to our unbelieving eyes, the house cracked in half and the floor dropped. Our family was in despair. It was pretty awesome that Habitat and Proman constructed a large 100 feet long retaining wall and also assisted in repairing the house. I am proud as we can finally move into a safe house.”
Claus Cronberger, Managing Director of Proman Trinidad, welcomed the partnership renewal, saying “Proman is incredibly proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity to improve the lives of people in vulnerable communities across the country. Resilient and affordable housing continues to be a challenge in many parts of the world, and the work that Habitat does makes a huge difference in enabling families to feel safe within their homes. I also look forward to joining my colleagues from across our family of companies on Habitat’s volunteer site builds, working together to help bring this partnership to life.”
Jennifer Massiah, National Director of Habitat Trinidad & Tobago, said, ” Habitat for Humanity continues to nurture its strategic partnership for the third time with the Proman family of companies. Through this relationship many families in Trinidad and Tobago have been able to have their homes fortified against the adverse effects of high winds and floods through our disaster mitigation programme. Hundreds of others, especially the young adults and those with minimum construction skills were able to build their capacity through our construction technology course. I thank the management of Proman and its staff for their continued commitment and look forward to a rich and rewarding relationship as together we add resiliency to our communities and assist vulnerable families to ‘Build Back Better’.”
Proman’s local support for Habitat started in 2012. In 2019, the company established a global 2-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity International to assist vulnerable communities with long-term safe housing projects in Trinidad and Tobago, Europe, and the United States. This partnership provided direct assistance to more than 6,000 individuals and families. In Trinidad and Tobago, Proman supported over 140 individuals to complete Habitat’s Construction Technology Programme, which equips trainees with life-long resilient housing construction skills.
The Proman family of companies is pleased to partner with Habitat for Humanity Trinidad & Tobago to deliver safe and resilient housing solutions across the country. Like Habitat, Proman believes in empowering our people and communities with the sustainable skills they require to build a thriving future for Trinidad and Tobago.