It all started with a challenge, an opportunity to make a difference in Trinidad and Tobago, a chance to transform our nation for the better. When the Ministry of Digital Transformation announced a series of challenges aimed at improving the shortcomings of government agencies, my fiancée and I knew we had to step up to the plate. Little did we know that this journey would lead us to win not one but two opportunities to pitch our ideas for change.
The Challenges
The ministry presented five distinct challenges, each addressing critical issues within government agencies. These challenges ranged from managing Liquor License data to tracking online passport applications and addressing noise pollution. With a passion for innovation and a commitment to our country, my fiancée, Sinead Hamel-Smith, and I decided to take on two of these challenges:
- Real-time S42 Address Identification: How can we enable residents to better access information about their postal address?
- Personalized Health Monitoring and Advisory: How can we provide critical medical updates and information on healthier lifestyles to the population of Trinidad and Tobago through personalized information?
The Journey Begins
On Friday, September 29th, we attended an event hosted by the Ministry of Digital Transformation at the Hilton Hotel conference room. There, we had the privilege of meeting fellow developers who shared our passion for change and even had the chance to interact with the Minister of Digital Transformation himself. The event was broadcast on a Livestream by the popular local news station, TTT.
From Proposals to POC
Out of all the developers in attendance, only 15 groups were selected to move from the proposal stage to the Proof of Concept pitching stage. To our amazement, both of our proposals were accepted, making us the only team awarded the opportunity to develop two proof of concept pitches for the upcoming deadline in just three months. It was a moment of sheer shock and gratitude, realizing that we had the chance to contribute significantly to our country's transformation.
The Winning Formula
Reflecting on our success, we believe the key to our double win lies in the synergy between our skills and backgrounds. Sinead's expertise in user experience (UX) design, combined with my extensive experience in software development, allowed us to approach the problems from diverse angles. Our proposals stood out because of our commitment to user-friendliness, accessibility, and innovative thinking, all while ensuring the technical and infrastructural feasibility of our ideas.
The Balancing Act
Now entrusted with two proposals to realize, we face a challenging journey ahead. Balancing our personal lives, social commitments, professional responsibilities, and my job at the University of the West Indies alongside these projects and other projects I'm currently working on may seem daunting, but we are confident that we can rise to the occasion.
Together, we are fully committed to making a significant contribution to the digital transformation of Trinidad and Tobago. We are staunch believers in showcasing local talent and inspiring fellow developers to join us in this transformative journey through future D'hub challenges
A Call to Action
As we embark on this journey, we extend an invitation to our fellow developers to stand beside us and embrace these challenges. Together, we possess the capability to wield a transformative impact and cultivate a society enriched with technological prowess. Let's work together to shape a brighter future for Trinidad and Tobago.