A local charity is urging members of the public to exercise caution when responding to requests for assistance after what it described as a troubling experience involving a mother seeking help with school books for her children.
According to a statement, the organization was contacted about a mother who reportedly needed assistance obtaining booklists for her three children. Despite being closed for the day and facing time constraints, the foundation said it chose to help after hearing the woman’s circumstances.
However, while searching for the required books, the foundation said it came across a Facebook post from someone selling the very books it needed. After making further inquiries, the organization claimed it discovered the seller was the same individual who had requested assistance, but operating under a different phone number.
The foundation did not provide additional details about the interaction or whether the books being sold were connected to previous donations. It also did not indicate whether the matter had been reported to the authorities.
In its statement, the organization used the incident as a reminder for individuals and charitable groups to carefully verify requests for assistance before offering financial or material support. ‘Please be careful who you are assisting,’ the foundation stated, noting that while many families are genuinely in need, donors should take reasonable steps to ensure their contributions reach those they are intended to help.
The incident comes as many families across Trinidad and Tobago prepare for the upcoming school term, a period during which charities, community groups and members of the public often provide support through book drives, school supply donations and other back-to-school initiatives.
