At the heart of educate.’s work in Trinidad.
In the centre of Trinidad, Santa Bárbara, the educate. Youth Centre is a space for young people to learn, connect and lead. It brings together our scholarship students, youth programmes and community activities under one roof, alongside a public library open to the wider community.
Located next to the municipal sports field in the centre of Trinidad, it is accessible to young people and families from the town and surrounding communities.
From an abandoned library to a community space
In 2019 we visited what had once upon a time been the municipal library building in Trinidad. At that point, it had not been in use for over a decade and was in disrepair.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, we worked alongside the municipality to restore the building and create a vibrant center for learning, youth empowerment and community engagement.
What began as an abandoned municipal building has now become a place where young people come together to learn, create and shape their communities.
In November 2022, the Youth Center was inaugurated:
The Youth Center is more than a building
A place to learn
The centre houses a public library and provides access to books, computers, internet, spaces for study, psychological support services, and a variety of youth programmes.
A place to connect
Young people from Trinidad and surrounding rural communities meet here, build community, and learn from one another.
A place to create
The centre provides space for young people to explore the arts, technology, sports, communications and other interests.
A place to lead
Young people take on responsibility as mentors, facilitators, coaches, organisers and community leaders.
“Here at educate. we come to the Youth Center to meet new people, to make friends, to learn about things like communication, values, and leadership. When we come here we all participate, we put our fears aside. At educate., it is possible for young people to make their dreams come true.”
– Elvin, scholarship student
educate. 