LIME AND LEARN
LIME AND LEARN
Cultivating Bonds, Building Bridges
MISSION STATEMENT
Launched amidst the pandemic, our mission was conceived emphasizing academic guidance, but we soon realized this was so much more. It became a vibrant platform for Montreal students to immerse themselves in the rich Trinidadian culture, values, and way of life while the Trinidadian mentees gained insights into Montreal's diverse environment. We decided to name our program "Lime and Learn" as a nod to the Trinidadian term 'liming' meaning hanging out and cherishing moments. The name also emphasizes the strong bonds we wish to create.
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Lime and Learn symbolizes more than mentorship; it's about mutual growth and shared experiences. It's about Montreal's students discovering the rhythms of Soca and Calypso while Trinidadian students learn about snow-laden winters and hockey games. The bond goes beyond academics, delving into the nuances of each other's daily lives, traditions, and aspirations.
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We are now crafting lasting connections by pairing high school students from Montreal with elementary students from Trinidad. This initiative is about weaving a tapestry of shared dreams and stories, celebrating the unique and universal threads that bind us.
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With plans to broaden our horizons, our vision is a sustainable and evolving partnership, emphasizing the spirit of mutual respect and unity. Lime and Learn is a testament to the transformative power of relationships that transcend borders and generations.
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In our mission, we are reminded of our values—to foster mutual understanding, to celebrate differences, and to build bridges of acceptance and camaraderie. As Lime and Learn grows, we invite you to be part of this enriching journey that honors our past and shapes a shared future full of discovery and connection.
OUR STORY
Our appreciation for and commitment to the small Caribbean island country of Trinidad and Tobago extends far beyond the dual citizenship we maintain with the island state. Our values have been forged in no small part by the welcoming nature of the Trinidadian culture and immigration officials who accepted Jews fleeing persecution by the Nazis in the 1930s.
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Our great-great-grandparents and their two daughters escaped Poland in 1936 amid a rising tide of antisemitism in Eastern Europe. Trinidad was the only country that would allow them entry. They disembarked onto an island of warmth, not only in climate but also in support, acceptance, and safety, and our great-grandmother still shares her immigration experiences, her life in Trinidad, and her delicious curry chicken during our visits. Our family has retained those values and ties, as much of our family has since resettled in Montreal.
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Nearly a century later, we remain grateful to Trinidad for offering our family a safe haven when many other countries turned away droves of asylum seekers from their shores. True to its national anthem, Trinidad was, and is, a place "where every creed and race find an equal place."
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Our gratitude to Trinidad underlies many of our values and actions. It motivates us to stay connected and inspires us to give back to the island that opened its heart to our ancestors. And like family, we help wherever there is a need.
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As citizens of both Canada and Trinidad, we are driven to forge connections between our two homes. When Covid struck, like many countries, Trinidad faced challenges in its education sector. Recognizing the impacts of the pandemic in Trinidad, we felt it was a time when we could offer support. That is how Lime and Learn was born.
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Our family's story underpins our belief that we have an obligation to help. We are here because Trinidad welcomed our family in 1936, and that forever binds us to the Trinidadian people.