Poverty in Trinidad and Tobago is spreading beyond the usual vulnerable groups and is now affecting working families who are struggling to stay afloat.
Groups like The Children’s Ark and Glimmer of Hope say they are seeing the rise of “the new poor”—people with jobs who still cannot make ends meet.
After years of helping families in need, both organisations told the Sunday Express that while relief efforts remain important, charity alone will not solve the crisis.
Previous home: The interior of the Seenath family’s previous home at Watts Street. The family has received a new container home from charitable organisation The Children’s Ark.
According to the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative (2025), 0.5% of citizens in T&T are classified as multidimensionally poor, but nearly 39% are vulnerable to falling into poverty. Vulnerability is slightly higher in urban areas at 40.1% than at 6.6% in rural areas, reflecting the rising cost of living in cities.
GLIMMER OF HOPE FOUNDER: Zahir Ali
In a telephone interview yesterday with the Sunday Express, president of The Children’s Ark Simone de la Bastide said estimates place the poverty rate in T&T between 13% and 18%, with children disproportionately affected. She said The Children’s Ark is seeing a noticeable shift in who is seeking help.
“A percentage of the middle-income families are also struggling due to lack of secure jobs and the higher cost of living today. Let’s face it—everything goes up today but salaries. A percentage of the middle-income families are also struggling due to lack of secured jobs and the higher cost of living,” de la Bastide said.
She said as more families are affected by poverty, children are most vulnerable. “Children are notably innocent and vulnerable in very many ways. Trust is embedded in them until abuse and other heinous crimes are committed against them, impeding their mental growth and behaviour. Chronic stress kicks in, whereby depression and major health issues are created, spawning long-term, serious consequences,” she said.
She said “it is evident that children (are) living in an unstable, unhealthy environment, whereby there is often no father present, perhaps a single mother with several children; which would be catastrophic for the children and the family altogether”.
Living in squalor
De la Bastide related that over 25 years, she has come across countless children either struggling in a crowded, modest, unsafe one-room structure, or living on the streets and in children’s homes, some of whom are still being abused physically and mentally. “I recall years ago seeing many young children living on the streets in Port of Spain. For years now they have all disappeared. It begs the question, have they all or some of them been trafficked?”
According to de la Bastide, The Children’s Ark is an organisation that seeks to improve the lives and living conditions of the nation’s marginalised, challenged, abused, and at-risk youth, subject to compliance with certain criteria.
The organisation also assists other registered charitable organisations with projects that would improve the quality of life and living conditions of such children, hence the significant past projects The Children’s Ark successfully completed, de la Bastide said.
On April 25, The Children’s Ark handed over a three-bedroom container house valued at $250,000 to a family of eight. The house, located on Watts Street, St Augustine, was fully furnished and outfitted with appliances.
According to de la Bastide, many families continue to live in conditions of severe deprivation, often unseen by wider society.
At the hand-over ceremony last weekend, de la Bastide said, “It is truly unacceptable that members of our society live in such squalor. There is such a great and serious need for significant improvement in many spheres within our social services. Too many of our citizens across the country live in squalor and abject poverty, and children born into this structure suffer most and end up with a multitude of mental and physical scars.”
De la Bastide wants to see the Government work more closely with charitable organisations. “I would ask the Prime Minister to consider a working relationship with the registered charitable organisations in T&T. Together we can all make that significant difference in the lives of the nation’s marginalised, challenged, abandoned and at-risk youth.
“By partnering with the Government, many thousands more could be saved from poverty, a life of crime, falling through the social cracks in our society with productive initiatives that would generate well-being and an overall improvement in family life.
“The NGOs, FBOs (faith-based organisations) and CBOs (community-based organisations) are on the ground, so to speak, and are in touch with the needs of the people and their communities. Our children are the nation’s future,” de la Bastide said.
Rising expenses,
stagnant wages
The Sunday Express also spoke to Zahir Ali, founder of Glimmer of Hope, who noted poverty in T&T has shifted in recent years, spreading beyond the traditionally vulnerable and now affecting working families. “There has been a marked increase in working people who are still unable to make ends meet. Rising expenses and stagnant wages have made it difficult for many employed individuals to maintain a sustainable quality of life,” he said.
Glimmer of Hope was awarded the Express Community Group of the year award 2025.
Ali said the demand for humanitarian services has grown sharply, with unemployment and the high cost of living driving more citizens to seek help. He further noted that compared to five years ago, families now turn to Glimmer of Hope because they trust the organisation to deliver assistance rather than just promises.
“Notably, there has been a marked increase in working people who are still unable to make ends meet. Rising expenses and stagnant wages have made it difficult for many employed individuals to maintain a sustainable quality of life,” he said.
Ali continued, “The demand for our humanitarian services has grown substantially in the past year, underscoring the extent of poverty in our country. Factors such as persistent unemployment and the high cost of living have contributed to this drastic increase. Compared to five years ago, people come to us for help because they know we are committed to delivering assistance rather than just making promises. Over the past decade, we have offered hope for a better tomorrow by responding whenever called upon,” he said.
The grim reality
Echoing similar sentiments as de la Bastide, Ali noted that children are especially affected by poverty. “The lack of access to proper nutrition, healthcare, and safe housing impacts their physical and emotional well-being, as well as their educational development. Many face chronic health issues, increased stress, and challenges in school—barriers that can hinder their potential and shape their opportunities for years to come,” Ali said.
Ali painted a grim reality: “To capture the reality of poverty right now, I think of a family in Golconda who struggles daily, not knowing where their next meal will come from. This is just one of many difficult cases we’ve encountered recently, and it speaks to the ongoing hardship faced by so many.”
He said day-to-day coping is tough for those affected. “The country is navigating a challenging period, in part due to previous administrative decisions. While temporary aid helps, a more sustainable solution involves empowering families, giving them the tools and support they need to build better lives. Addressing root causes with long-term strategies will pave the way for lasting positive change,” he said.
However, he believes the Government is working hard to address these issues. “They’ve only been in office for a year, and it’s important to recognise that resolving deep-rooted problems takes time and perseverance. There is hope that, as they continue their efforts, we will see gradual progress and meaningful improvements,” he said.
“I would suggest assisting the Social Development Ministry in conducting a thorough assessment to identify those most in need, ensuring targeted and effective support.
“Additionally, I would advocate for a shift toward empowering people, helping them develop skills and opportunities for lasting independence. By focusing on empowerment rather than handouts, we can address the root causes of poverty and foster real change,” Ali added.
