Condiments, Wines, Candy, Vegetables

Nestled in the foothills of the northern range this quaint little village with French ancestry made famous growing their chives, and other green seasoning on the hills and home gardens, began bottling their products for home use, back in the late seventies a group of English visitors here for an exchange study visit under the Duke of Edinburgh Award, (now known as the President’s Award) spent ten days in Paramin, during that time the manage to point out to the families the value of their location’s potential and their products, for tourism. This motivation led to the establishment of the Group’s formation and launch in 1985,

As foundation members of the NRWPTT they have been exposed to training, to develop their products and participated in every Ministers of Agriculture “Caribbean Week of Agriculture” since its launch here in Trinidad in  2001, their products are in demand and can be found on some groceries shelves.

Paramin Women’s Group started making seasoning in 1987 in one of the members kitchen, then applied to the Canada Funding Agency for a grant to build a factory and increase production, whilst helping the community at the same time by purchasing the raw materials and recycled bottles from the villagers, which we still do.  Genuine Paramin Seasoning and pepper sauce have become a popular household name.

We appreciate all the help and advice we got from IICA, they came into our lives when we needed help and we are thankful. We got help in book keeping and lots of verbal advice.

Then the network was formed, that is when the marriage began. We got courses in Wine Making, Ham curing and lots of other things. Wine Making is a big part of her life.
We had lots of exhibitions. We had financial help with a loan to repair our blenders.
“But what I like most about the network is meeting with other groups in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean. I have made a lot of friends throughout the Caribbean and I taught a few of them to make wine, I love to share what I learn with other people.

Born 900 new moons ago to Deokee and Shoon Rajbansee in Brigand Hill Valley – a quaint rural Village on the East coast of T&T in Manzanilla. She is the oldest of 4 children.

Her paternal grandparents were indentured labours.

Rose’s paternal grandmother was a member of the household and brought beliefs and experiences to help mould her life. It was out of these early beginnings and values that she learnt from her grandmother greatly influenced her to help under-privileged women.

In addition to her grandmother, the World War II was being fought at that time, families and communities looked out for each other which helped in moulding her early life.

Attended Plum Road Presbyterian Primary, Naparima Girl’s High and Naparima Training College for Teachers.

Profession —–Teacher
She taught in Primary Schools in Food and Nutrition and apart from schools she also taught women in the communities as courses provided by the Ministry of Community Development.

Her passion started with her grandmother who was a leader in her own rights as women of the plantation would come by to seek her advice in different matters. This was continued by her mother and now by Rose.

It is this experience she bring into the many products she produce under the banner of Brigand Hill Valley,

Rose worked with many organizations over the years
She held several positions in the District Village Council
She was President of the Women’s Federation in her Village and also the National President
Just retired as Area President of Caribbean, Central and South America.  Which is one of the regions of the Associated Country Women of the world   (A.C.W.W).

But retained a position in agriculture on the international body

She is a member and was co-ordinator of the Network of Rural Women’s Producers of Trinidad and Tobago and former past co-ordinator of CANROP (Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers).