MR CHONGSING DAVID LEE SAM

(Social Worker)

I was born at St Croix Road Princess Town on the 19^th March 1920. My father was 9 years old when he came to Trinidad with his father from China. My grand father settled in Point Fortin and worked in a shop in Newlands called Old Market Shop.  I received my early education at Neckchuddy EC School at Sisters Road, moved to the New Grant EC School and finally at Boys RC San Fernando under Mr. Walters.

I came to Point in 1938 and lived in one of the barracks at Tankfarm, there I worked in the Fire and Safety Department of U.B.O.T for 1 year. From 1940 to 1945 during the war, I served in the Royal Navy and left as a leading radio telegrapher, then after the war I came back to Point Fortin and joined what was then Shell Trinidad Limited.

 I joined the British Red Cross in 1948. I am presently a Branch Officer. My first heroic feat was putting out a fire at the Frisco gas station. Some two years later, I was transferred to the Fire Department, where I rose to the rank of Charge Hand and stayed with that department some 3 to 4 years.  As a person trained in First Aid, Fire and Safety, I was selected to work on the first platform, from the sinking of the first pile until oil was discovered. Two and a half years later, I was released to the hospital as a Medical Clerk. I then became a trainee in the X – Ray Department and stayed there for five and a half years.

 I continued doing social work all this time. I was a member of the 17^th Trinidad Sea Scouts of Point Fortin as Assistant Scout Master.  I founded the La Petit Dance Group of Point Fortin. They performed Limbo and Bottle Dancing, trained by Uric Raybourne. The first PTA attached to the EC School was started by me. I also served as president of the RC School PTA for two terms. In 1970 I was appointed Justice of the Peace by Sir Solomon Hochoy, for the County of St. Patrick and served in that capacity for 28 years. 

In 1981 I was recognized by the Government for a National Award ( Silver ) for Public Service to Trinidad and Tobago, presently I am on the Board of Social Welfare seeking the interest of the poor and needy.