I N S I G H TJULY 2020

Forging Ahead in Challenging Times

3JULY 2020 2 I N S I G H T 3JULY 2020 2 I N S I G H T

Managing Director/ CEO'sMessage

Teamwork While SocialDistancing

Online Pick Up

Owning A Home BeforeAge 30

TTMF Assists In COVID-19Relief Efforts

Get To Know YourManager

Movers & Shakers

New Hires/Exits

Reward & Recognition

Experiences Working fromHome

Protecting Your Home

Mental Wellness During theCovid-19 Pandemic

Braingle

Recipe- " Healthy MangoSmoothie"

3

4

6

7

9

10

12

12

13

14

19

20

22

23

The motto of our nation promotes nationaldevelopment and is even more relevant in thechallenging times of COVID-19, the pandemic thathas impacted the global economy and the fabricof society. We are challenged as an organisationto forge ahead to attain success that cannot beachieved without the continued collaboration andsupport of our valued customers, partners,stakeholders and employees.

We are faced with greater challenges ofconducting business by practicing excellence inthe delivery of our products and services to loyalcustomers in a socially distanced environment.This task may be daunting, but must be embracedwith an opportunity to enhance productivitythrough an innovative work environment.

All organisations are now faced with thechallenges of providing and serving the businesscommunity in a unique way with limited financialand human resources, but we must remember thataspiring together is one key way to achievesustainability as a team.

We remember our valued customers who continueto support us, as our dedicated and committedteam, colleagues, stakeholders ensure that homeownership is facilitated through scheduledappointments. This is conducted through ourcustomer service centres that facilitate easytransactions via online communication.A convenient rewarding experience for yourhealth, safety and well-being.

As we stand united as an organisation, despiteour diversity, through cooperation andcollaboration we will continue to aspire togetherto achieve success.

Come let us build our nation together as westrengthen our organisation towards sustainedproductivity and success.

CONTENTS

“Together We aspire, Together We achieve”

Patrick S. Castagne.

FORGING AHEAD INCHALLENGING TIMES

Robert C. Green,Managing Director/CEO

MANAG ING D IRECTOR /CEO ’S MESSAGE

OCTOBER TODECEMBER 2019

MELISSA PAUL - SAUNDERSEMPLOYEE OF QUARTER

EMPLOYEE OFTHE QUARTER

5JULY 2020 4 I N S I G H T

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the waybusinesses are operating, made mandatory over the‘stay at home’ period. Alternative work arrangementsthat were not necessarily utilized in the past, such asvirtual meetings, working from home, and onlinecollaboration—have now become our everydayreality.

TTMF is a team-oriented organisation because werecognise that we are stronger together. We must notallow physical distance to disrupt the bonds we havecreated and the teamwork that we demonstrate inproviding service to our customers.

Here are a few tips on how to continue to deliver theexcellent service to each other, for which we havebecome known.

Remember our purpose: We exist for the provision offinancing to citizens of our beloved country, and wedo this family by family, home by home. We mustalways remain focused on our stakeholders,especially our clients.

Communicate effectively: Take advantage of thetechnology available to keep each other in the know.Remember that some methods, such as email or text,do not convey the nuances of speech and aretherefore subject to misinterpretation. Choose yourwords carefully and, if possible, follow up with a callor chat.

Be timely: Some persons are flexible when it comesto work hours. However, this doesn’t changedeadlines for deliverables. You can work frommidnight until sunrise if it suits you; but if a documentis due at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, make sure it is ready.

Treat online meetings with respect: Yes, you mightbe attending a team meeting sitting at your diningroom table, but be on time and properly dressed. Acup of coffee is fine, but avoid snacking, wanderingoff, or taking calls. Act as you would in the office.

Make productivity your priority: Ask family membersto respect your workspace and to cut down oninterruptions, clutter and background noise while youwork or are online with your team.

We’re all professionals, who belong to one of thecountry’s most trusted and prestigious organisations.In this time of uncertainty and upheaval, we mustcontinue to show professionalism, efficiency and self-control in the service of our nation.

TEAMWORK WHILESOCIAL DISTANCING

7JULY 2020 6 I N S I G H T

Owning a home is on the list of priorities for anyprogressive person. Owning a home before oneturns 30? Now that is ambitious; but not at all far-fetched. And since at TTMF, our maximum term is30 years, the time to buy is now. The longer theterm, the smaller the installment.

Here’s what you need to know to get you on theway:

Save - A no-brainer, yes, but it still has to be said.Save at least 30 percent of your salary each monthand at least half of any bonuses, back pay andincome tax refunds. Some ways to save - Choosestaycation or Tobago over overseas vacations;public transport over buying a car but, if you reallyneed a car, it doesn’t have to be a new one; just agood working one; cook food over buying food; putyour needs over your wants.

Credit check - How’s your credit? You may nothave a loan, but you may have a cable, phone orelectricity bills. You may also think that paying billseach month puts you in the clear, but if you’re notpaying those bills on time, that affects your credit.

If you’re serious about buying your home before30, this is not the time to help out a friend orfamily member by putting your name on their bill.Their non-payment or late payment on a billreflects poorly on you and your credit. If you wantto know about your credit standing, check yourbank.

Get prequalified – Contact us through our OnlineCustomer Service Centre to get prequalified. Theprequalification process analyses your financialinformation to help you determine the amount ofmoney you can borrow.

Start looking - Go through the Homes for Salesection of the classified ads or take a drivethrough the neighbourhood that you desire to seeif there are any homes on the market in that areawithin your price range.

Your first home may not be your dream home, soyou should adjust your expectations. Developyour plan and remain steadfast in your focustowards achieving your goal of home ownershipand you will succeed.

OWNINGA HOMEBEFOREAGE 30

While the world continues to be impacted byCOVID-19, rest assured that we are committed toensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of ourcustomers, our employees, our suppliers and allother stakeholders.

In this regard, we have implemented an OnlineCustomer Service Centre on our website:www.ttmf-mortgages.com. It is the first item underthe Customer Service tab and customers canaccess some of our routine services digitally. Suchservices include requests for documents, managepayments, book appointments and more.When a customer requests a document such as aStatement or Letters, these can be returned to thecustomer via email or TTPOST or they can collectat a branch if necessary.

We have also expanded our payment options andwe encourage customers to partner with us byusing one of the following options to safely maketheir mortgage payments:1. Complete the Direct Debit Authorisation Form

which allows you to pay your mortgageelectronically and automatically from any bank.

2. Via online banking or at any branch ofRepublic Bank. Customers are required toinclude their TTMF account number(s) whenmaking payment and use the link MortgageProof of Payment to submit proof of payment.

Booking an Appointment online to Get Prequalifiedis now an available feature for customers and theycan choose to Schedule a Phone Call to conductthe interview or they can come into a branch oftheir choice. After locating the property, customerscan then go online to Book an Appointment withan Officer to apply for Financing for a Mortgage

If your account is in arrears, or if there has been anadverse change in the customer’s financialsituation they can arrange to meet with aCollections Officer to discuss their options.

We urge you to follow the advice of the authoritiesand please take the precautionary measuresoutlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO),the Ministry of Health and other related agenciesfor protecting yourself and your family against thespread of COVID-19.

ONLINE PICK UP

7I N S I G H T

9JULY 2020 8 I N S I G H T

During the period of our Stay at Home Orders, wewere bombarded by COVID-19 messages such as‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’, ‘Practice SocialDistancing’, ‘Flatten the Curve’ and ‘We are all inthis Together’. But, we wanted to deliver a gentlebut powerful reminder of our shared humanity andour collective vulnerability at this moment in time,that encourages us to be more empathetic,compassionate and considerate of each other.

So we developed the message ‘Together’.In creating this message, we made a donationto F.E.E.L. (Foundation for the Enhancement &Enrichment of Life), on behalf of every personthat participated in creating the message, topurchase food, for distribution to deservingfamilies and to help their work in serving thepoor and dispossessed through NGO's acrossTrinidad and Tobago.

Robert C. Green, Managing Director/CEOof TTMF presents donation cheque toElena Villafana, General Manager of FEEL

TTMF ASSISTS INCOVID-19 RELIEF EFFORTS

9

11JULY 2020 10 I N S I G H T

Joined the TTMF family on: January 7, 2019Previous employers: RBC Royal Bank Ltd, The Universityof Trinidad and Tobago, NCBPositions Held: VIP Area Manager – East; UniversityTreasurer, Business / Commercial BankerEducational Background: Finance, Sales & Marketing,BankingOriginally hails from: Four Roads, Diego MartinCurrently hails from: Paxvale, Santa Cruz

What is your favorite food? My Mom’s Saltfish &Dumpling

Three words that best describe you? Passionate,Approachable, Empathetic

One weakness? Impatience

What is your idea of a good time? Liming,drinking and playing cards on my back-porch withfamily & friends.

What are your Hobbies/Interests? Love Football(World Cup), Cricket (CPL 20/20), Hockey and Art(sketching in pen &/or pencil)

Favorite movie? City of Angels (with Meg Ryan)Best TTMF experience? Gatsby Night – Got theopportunity to dress up, hang out with my Team,Colleagues and their respective Partners, in afunfilled, relaxing atmosphere. It was truly asplendid affair that brought back memories ofsimilar youthful experiences

Personal Motto? ‘ALWAYS Treat Others, As YouWould Like To Be Treated’

Best book you ever read? The Bourne Identity(Robert Ludlum). I generally love espionage.Favorite Colors? White

What’s your idea of success? Being able to justdress-back and know your loved ones arecomfortable and genuinely happy and that yourcontribution to that, is undoubted.

GET TO KNOWYOUR MANAGER

Greatest Achievement? My Son. He’s grown intothe most compassionate, genuine, level-headedyoung man I know, despite undergoing some veryhard life experiences. I’m really proud to be hismom!

What advice would you give someone aspiringto be in your position/a similar position?Exercise care, compassion and due diligence ineverything you do, be genuine, flexible,committed and success would be a foregoneconclusion.

Who is your Role Model? My parents (nowdeceased), but their lessons, coaching,comforting, shaped me and provided me with thefoundation and buffer I needed to become theMother, Sister, Employee, Manager and overalldown-to-earth woman I am today. Their memorycontinues to inspire me to always work harderand do better, each day.

Most embarrassing moment? Having to return acart full of groceries at Hi-Lo (yes it was Hi-Lothen) because I exceeded my daily limit on mycard.

Life changing experience? ‘The year 2014’,..theworst year of my life ever! I Lost my job, myhome, both parents (six months apart) andunderwent a change in my marital status; allwithin a 12-month period. Had it not been forGod’s grace, my sanity would have been lost aswell...lol!

If you had to do something over again, wouldyou and what would it be? I would not haveremarried.

Any elusive goals? Financial freedom

Greatest fear/phobia? Frogs

One thing you would like to do before you die?I have 2 must dos actually – (1) A visit toGreece…its art and culture is just so ‘rich’, almostpure. Just must have that experience before I die!(2) Must see and experience the running with thebulls in Pamplona, Spain

TWENTY QUESTIONSWITH LISA GRANNUM

13JULY 2020 12 I N S I G H T

REWARD &RECOGNITIONSTARS – January 01 – May 31, 2020

Customer Focused

Desiree Jacobs-CampbellJavid Hosein (4)Kerry Gibson (2)Laurie-Anne CarterRayna BarrowShakuntala BeharrysinghSteffan KabulTessa Salandy (2)Vyjanti Khan

Teamwork

Desiree Jacobs-CampbellRia Inniss

Empowerment

Desiree Jacobs-CampbellJinelle Charles

NEW HIRES

EXITSKeizyia Calliste January 6, 2020Felicia Babb January 17, 2020Josanne Belfon-McLeod March 1, 2020Keisha Modeste March 9, 2020

AnalezeFisher

February 32020

MOVERS& SHAKERSINSIGHT: January to June 2020

• Catherine Robinson – promoted to the positionof Accounting Officer within the FinanceDepartment with effect from January 02, 2020.

• Melissa Seupersad - appointed to the positionof Mortgage Assistant within the AccountServicing Unit of the Mortgage AdministrationDepartmentwith effect from January 06, 2020.

• Liana Tavernier - appointed to the position ofContact Centre Representative within theContact Centre Unit of the Mortgage ServicesDepartment with effect from January 02, 2020.

• Mark Bobart – promoted to the position ofTechnical Support Officer within theInformation Technology Department witheffect from April 01, 2020.

• Stefan Garcia – promoted to the position ofTechnical Support Officer within theInformation Technology Department witheffect from April 01, 2020.

KelsieGuevaro

ChantelleHadley

KristalJoseph

CherishAgard

SeegobinJanuary 6

2020January 2

2020February 3

2020 January 62020

15JULY 2020 14 I N S I G H T

Myrtle Harris

The prospect of working fromhome has always beenappealing to me as I longed forthe opportunity to sleep a bit

later, not have to leave home by 6:30am in aneffort to avoid the morning traffic into Port ofSpain or hustle to beat the afternoon traffic out ofthe city. So, when the ‘stay at home’ order wasannounced I was elated, it was a dream come true.But you know that phrase, ‘be careful what youwish for’. I quickly realised that working fromhome in a household with six (6) other adults whohad nothing but time on their hands, me being theonly person actively engaged, was very distracting.

Although my plan was to follow the advice of the‘experts’ (health professionals local and abroad)and set a routine to assist in establishing a level ofnormalcy during what was an unprecedentedsituation, it never happened. Inevitably the lateststatistics from other territories (local and regional)and our daily press briefings were a source ofmuch discussion among family members, and thismade it incredibly difficult to focus on the job athand. My schedule quickly evolved into a fewhours of work during daylight hours (two to threehours) with my assignments being completed in thewee hours of the morning (my quiet time). It wasnot at all uncommon for me to go to bed at 2:30amafter starting that shift around 7:00pm. Thisdrastic change to what was previously a normalschedule affected my sleeping and eating patternsto the extent that it was a challenge for me toreadjust once we came back to work on rotation.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity toengage with family members throughout the dayduring the stay at home period, working from homewas for me bitter/sweet as it impacted the way Iwas able to work. As a result, the notion of‘working from home’ in similar circumstances hasdefinitely lost some of its appeal.

Charmaine Dookie

My routine was the same asany normal working day,except that I would startwork from 9 am instead of7:30 am and go until 4:30pminstead of 4:15 pm. I worked

on the floor of my home since its carpeted and I’mquite comfortable there. I would take a break thenand head out on the road for some exercise,change of scenery and food. These breaks wouldusually find me at Maracas Bay, Mount St Benedictand my normal Lady Chancellor run. I would thenresume work at 8pm and stay at it until 11pm.While breaks were only necessary for thefundamental things. After working from home forthe first week I really looked forward to my outingsand run-ins with law enforcement. By about thethird week of lock-down they knew me by my firstname.

As I had no distractions at home, I was veryfocused and task solution oriented which allowedme efficiently and effectively handle all that wasput on my plate. Nothing was distracting. It reallydidn’t matter once I had work to do it got done –day or night. I work best on my own, so I never feltalone and I was constantly busy when I sat downto work.

The national lockdown made me realise that Iwould do nothing differently. I am a very focusedand determined individual. I achieve the tasks thatI’ve undertaken, and I make the necessarysacrifices to get the job done efficiently. I havenever had time to waste and even in the midst of aglobal pandemic I did nothing different.

EXPERIENCESWORKINGFROM HOMEPort of Spain

Nadine Ammon

My routine began from10:30am allowing familymembers to conduct onlineclasses which began at8:30am. When they were done,I then occupied the living roomdining table and they would

now occupy the porch. Once I started 10:30am Iworked until 4:30pm. I stopped to allow IT to runtheir updates. This is when I had lunch or cookedquickly. I resumed work once IT was finished until9:00pm. I’ve sometimes worked until 11:30pm inorder to get the job done. This was every day andstill manage the home and preparation of meals. IfI had to step outdoors (grocery) I began later andended later.

My workspace was the dining table with mylaptop, stationery, note pads etc. Breaks weredependent on aches, as the chair wasn’t acomputer chair, I often felt pain in my wrist,shoulder and back, because the set up wasn’t anoffice chair or desk. Distractions at home were;loud neighbors drilling, doing work in theirapartments, loud speaking during conference calls,sound of the television whilst trying to work,interruptions, examples: “what’s for lunch’, “what’sfor dinner” as now I am faced with everydaypreparation of meals.

Because of the distractions, noise and interruptionsduring the day, at night worked out moreconvenient. We mostly used UI Signature so therewasn’t a need to review a physical file as thesystem had the information that was necessary, insome cases Nautilus system helped. I felt a bit ofboth, part of a team working from home andisolated at times as there was no confrontation

with peers, if there were queries regarding anaccount, I relied on whatsapp or a phone call.

I definitely was fully occupied at all times, I workedSaturday and Sundays as necessary. If I had towork from home again I would definitely set up aproper desk and chair space in my bedroom andprepare a timetable for starting and ending with aroutine (ie. normal working hours as necessary), Iwould share that schedule with family members toavoid unnecessary disruptions. I would plan mytask and week ahead according to the hoursneeded and arrange my home differently pertainingto meals, errands etc.

Afiya Marcial

I always longed to have theoption of working fromhome. However, having todo so under the ‘stay athome orders’ during theCovid-19 pandemic wasless than ideal. In the

earlies, I found myself comforted by the fact that Iwas able to continue working remotely, to servecustomers who needed their payments deferred. Ienjoyed the perks of not having to face rush hourtraffic and report to duty for 8:00am daily, beingable to perform my duties in comfortable loungewear as opposed to the company issued uniformand having the flexibility to determine the start ofmy workday. Conversely, as the ‘stay at homeorders’ continued to be extended and the volumeof work increased at an unanticipated pace, Ideveloped bittersweet emotions as there seemed tobe no end in sight. I found myself working longerhours, sometimes clocking as much as twelve (12)hours a day, seldom taking any breaks, just toensure that targets were met. This led to therealization of how much I took for granted theimportance of an ergonomically designed work-space.

All in all, working from home was a welcomedexperience. The opportunity proved that ourtechnological advances facilitated continuedeffective and efficient communication with both ourexternal customers and the internal team. Onepoint that I will like to highlight though, is theimportance of establishing boundaries, to ensurethat your family/personal life is not compromised.

NicholasMohammed

My work from homeexperience, simply defined,was a balancing act. Likeeveryone, you are trying toprocess what’s happening in

the world around you as it relates to the pandemicwhile still attempting to be productive. The firstpart of the process was implementing a routineand trying to maintain this routine. This applied toeveryone in the household. Those of us who areparents became home school educators overnight.It was now about managing not only your workschedule but also providing support during the dayas an “assistant teacher”.

The first part of the day was ensuring online homeschool started on time. Once that was set up, thenmy day could begin. With everyone claiming theirown work from home territory in the house, myusual home office setup would have been either inthe living room or kitchen.

17JULY 2020 16 I N S I G H T

A work station in the kitchen can be dangerous.With snacks in such close proximity, my weightwould have paid the price. But it also had its prosas multitasking could have been done in terms ofmeal prep.

The most interesting experience for me during theperiod was still being able to interact with ourcustomers and hear their own personal stories asto how the pandemic affected them. Many of ourclients were trying to come to terms with theeffects of the pandemic and how their individuallives had changed. Many expressed uncertainty asto how they were going to be impacted by theeconomic situation. I believe it was good for themto have a TTMF voice that they could interact withand obtain financial advice from during such adifficult time.

Moving forward, technology has to continue to beour best friend. With the global pandemic everevolving we must also be able to evolve and adapt.Communication tools are critical now more thanever. I believe we will all learn greatly from thisexperience and come out the better for it!

Amita Gangar

2020 is certainly a year ofadjustments, of ‘1sts’ and ofself-discovery. Being achronic asthmatic, the Covid-19 Pandemic brought with ithealth and hygieneconsiderations, Stay-at-Homerestrictions, a barrage of

emotions and adjusting to living in a ‘new normal’world.

For me personally the Pandemic brought with it, atwo-sided coin. On the one hand, I experienced abarrage of buried emotions, such as sadness and

anxiety that I didn’t even know were underlying.While on the other hand and on a more positivenote, the Pandemic granted me the opportunity toreally self-reflect, the ability to work from home forthe 1st time ever in my career and the chance toreally perfect my organizational and managementskills. It resulted in most of my days ending on ahigh and with distinct sense of accomplishment.

The COVID-19 Pandemic was indeed a gamechanger. Given the person I am, whereprofessionalism, perfection and service are justsome of the watchwords I live by, work from homeorders allowed me the chance to really integratestandards practiced at the Office, into my dayschedules not generally practiced at home. So, forexample, the setting of fixed routines whichincluded worship, exercise, preparation of meal(s)and then to work, were undertaken withexuberance and with care. The work from homeexperience provided a much welcomed distractionfrom adverse thoughts, a level of mental relaxationand sense of fulfilment as like when I’m at theoffice, as I was still able to assist many customersduring this very trying period for us all.

My workspace was extremely comfortable andlocated in the heart of my home (living/dining area)as this provided ease of access, proper lightingand proper ergonomic support. With no ‘real’distractions at home, my set routine was perfect,often resulting in me spending hours on the laptop,without even feeling exhausted. There weremoments when certain Projects were assigned andI found myself working to the wee hours of themorning, without a care or second thought. It wastruly a satisfying experience.

Given my experience over this time, I most certainlywill embrace work from home again.

Morrissa Ross

On a daily basis I wouldoperate out of my kitchenusing the kitchen counterand a stool. This workstation allowed for a spacewhere I would easily usethe laptop and write/makenotes if needed. My working

hours were structured surrounding windows ofopportunities and was not fixed. To keep abreast I

would work as early as 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM withintermittent checks during 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM and3:00 PM – 5:00 PM or sometimes during the night.Needless to say, that the reason for the aboveschedule was mainly due to me having kids.

I am a parent of 3 kids and as such, I wasobligated to become a teacher. This was and still isa challenge for me. Having them at differentstages of learning/development demanded a lot. Iwas stretched amongst being a mother, teacherand working at home. In the beginning it wasmanageable, then it intensified as online schoolingcame on stream for my 15 and 5 year olds.Notwithstanding, having young ones whocontinuously requires attention, wants somethingor the usual having to clean up after them.

In summary, working from home is familiar territoryfor me. As such, it is normal for me to experienceinstances where I may not connect to the server oraccess information. What was not the norm is notfeeling included or part of the team as it pertainsto the dissemination of information. The only majordifference for me with working at home was myadditional job, of becoming a full-time teacher. Ihave to end by saying thank God for Teachers.

San Fernando

Arima

MaureenaJackson

The mighty COVID-19forced mankind to shut-inour homes. It respects noone, no creed nor race, thevirus spreads itself fromthe high to the lowly andfrom the elderly to the newborn baby. My time of

reckoning was used mainly for introspection,throwing myself at the mercies of God and buildinga stronger relationship with my personal LORD andSaviour, Jesus Christ. This 2020 being my final yearof employment was an emotional one for me. Ireflected on God’s love for mankind. My heart wasfilled with thanksgiving to God for answering myprayers and in 1996, placing me as Hisambassador, in what I consider, to be the bestcompany in the whole world, TTMF.

Lisa Williams

In what was an unexpected butwelcome announcement thatour office would be closed fromMarch 30th, I quickly packed upmy office and headed home.Amongst my folders were

requests received from mortgagors who wantedthe deferral on mortgage payments facility. Thenumber of requests up to that time was about 300per day with increases anticipated. Addressingthese responsibilities along with domesticresponsibilities and care for two small boys wouldbe interesting to say the least. My workspace wassetup that very evening as my dining room tablebecame an office desk and my living roomcontained a small work area. My boys were veryhappy to see all the new ‘toys’ mommy broughthome. I don’t recall getting any rest that first nightas my mind considered the monumental task thatwas before me. In fact, if I am honest sleep was a‘nice to have’ on most days as during the day Itransitioned between mom and employee but mybest work was done at night when my boys werein bed.

Frequent discussions were held with the teamworking on the project and with the executives. Asthere was no formal workday, sometimes the callsand messages were at weird hours. In fact, otherteam members also did their best work at night, sowe worked in the time available to us. One of mymost profound memories is teaching a teammember how to do Vlookups in Excel to enhancehis reporting, about 11pm one night. As the stay athome got extended eventually to May 31, the taskof teacher was added to the list. After the firstweek of trying to teach, I am now very grateful tomy sons’ teachers because these boys are difficultto keep still and focus on anything for anyprolonged period. This experience confirmed for methat I am not a teacher. Some days we just shelvedthe books and went outside, me to chill, and theboys to dig in mommy’s garden.

If I could do things differently, I would spend moretime with the children and doing schoolworkbecause we are still trying to play catch up to thisday. With the work, I would ‘rally the troops’earlier. Many persons thought of this as aMortgage Administration project and did not offerassistance. Others did not understand the impactto the organisation’s reputation which transcendedunits and so their assistance was limited. We needto understand that when we are in our uniforms,‘We are TTMF’. Customers do not see Departments;all they see is TTMF. Hats off to everyone thatassisted! We did what was required to get the jobdone and I am thankful for your support..

1918JULY 2020 I N S I G H T

If you are a new homeowner, Congratulations.

We know that making your house a home is yourfirst priority but more important than that is thesafety of your home. What plans do you have toprotect your investment? Here are a few optionsto consider:

Homeowners Insurance – the insurance optionsare many for property and contents insurance. AtTTMF, we provide Homeowners ComprehensiveInsurance which covers the physical structure. Youshould however, do an honest assessment of thecontents of your home to understand the realvalue of your possessions if you should suffer aloss. Research insurance providers and discuss apackage that will be suitable for you. Ask asmany questions as you like to ensure that you getproper coverage.

Home Security – If you don’t have a dog, burglarproof or an alarm system, then you have madeyourself a soft target. Apart from theaforementioned also try motion sensor lightsaround the property. If your neighbourhood iswithout one, it might be a good idea to start awatch group so everyone looks out for each other.

Flooding, Hurricane, Earthquake - these areconsidered acts of God. While no natural disasteris predictable, putting a family emergency plan inplace so that everyone knows whoseresponsibility it is to turn off the gas, the lightsand water. Around the home, ensure drains arealways cleared to prevent flooding, unless you live

in a known flood-prone area in which case youshould research your insurance options. Examineyour home for structural defects in the walls andceilings and repair immediately.

Fire related disasters are, for the most part,preventable but it takes your due diligence. Unplugheating appliances before leaving your home, turnoff the gas and replace defective cords or plugs onappliances. Let your electrician come by to checkon plugs and outlets. Invest in a fire extinguisher.Put a family evacuation plan in place, just in case.

These are just some of the steps you can take toprotect your investment and to keep you and yourfamily safe and secure.

PROTECTINGYOURHOME

Working from home during this period was in noway challenging for me but it was a uniqueexperience where I found myself completing HRmatters, explaining terms and conditions offacilities and assisting with deferrals, answeringand making calls to existing and potentialcustomers, sending and responding to emails,website enquiries, WhatsApp messages, and at thesame time tending to the daily chores anddemands of my family. Some customers wereafraid of tomorrow, lost jobs and reduced incomes,brought frustration and anger but TTMF rose to theoccasion. The staff worked assiduously to easethe customers’ burdens by processing deferrals asquickly as possible. Constant communication wasmaintained with my TTMF family as many aspossible to ensure that they were kept abreast ofrelevant information and faring well. The HolySpirit has used COVID to reinforce my faith andtrust in the Sovereign God and I pray that this willbe everyone’s prayer.

Karen Charles

Working from home wasideal for me as I usually getmy best work done in anenvironment that’s quiet andhardly has any distractionsor interruptions.

On mornings, after my smoothie of course, I’d setup my laptop on the porch overlooking thebackyard, this quiet yet scenic spot was idyllic asthe noises of everyday traffic and life in generalwere silenced. This afforded me the opportunity towork undisturbed, well except for the occasional,“Mommy, what it have to eat?”.

At other times I’d set up in my bedroom for thenight shift. I can truly say these were the perfecthours for me as I am generally a night person. Inthe still of the night the creative juices flowedfreely allowing me to write and strategise on myapproach to acquiring business in what is our newnormal. At nights the time flew by and only when Iheard the Cocorico singing lustily at the dawn of anew day would I realise I had been working forquite a few hours.

Indeed, it was a pleasure for me working at home,managing my own hours and carving out a portionof the day or night where I would work efficiently.Often times I would call on Lisa or Morrissa andthis definitely helped in creating the team likeenvironment.

Would I work from home again? I wish I could workfrom home every day, in the comfort of mypajamas and hair bonnet with a steaming cup ofpeppermint whose aroma would soothe the sensesand taste stimulate the brain.

Tobago

Wendy Cuthbert

Stay At Home Orders becamethe new normal of workingfrom home. Initially, I feltdisjointed from the group.One moment I was scared,and the next I was feelingencouraged that this too shall

pass. After the new normal soaked, and my teamstarted connecting regularly via mobile, WhatsApp,text, emails and teleconference, that feeling ofisolation subsided.

Although, it was work from home, a consciouseffort was made to stay on track, by fixing mysleep and wake up times, taking the time to goabout my normal morning routine e.g. pray,shower, and dress for the day ahead. This time,the dress code was more comfortable than mytypical professional attire. This, along with allmeals & snack (smile) and rest/break times.

My designated workspace was in the porch area(fresh air and cool ocean scenery), which, by theway, did not take away from work time. Sittingdown in the designated space for work sent a clearsignal to my brain, that, it was time to focus.When I was not working, I stayed away from mydesignated workspace. Accessing the informationwas via the work systems e.g. aperio, UI, emails,etc.

However, the physical files that could have beenworked on during the stay at home order, was achallenge, especially new files that was not yetscanned to the nautilus system.

To say ‘Fully occupied’, yeeeessssss. I will not doanything differently.

21JULY 2020 20 I N S I G H T

MENTALWELLNESSDURINGTHECOVID-19PANDEMIC

The repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemichave affected all of us at TTMF, ourcolleagues, stakeholders, partners, familiesand loved ones. Even as the country slowlyopens up, we must all continue to observethe precautions recommended by trustedorganisations like the Ministry of Health andthe World Health Organisation.

The current situation presents real threatsnot only to our physical health but also toour mental well-being. As part of ourTransformative Wellness initiative, here area few bits of advice to help you weather thestorm and emerge happy, healthy, andmentally and emotionally well.

Get your information from trusted sources only:Do not be fooled by conspiracy theories,misinformation or gossip. Rely on people andorganisations with a trusted track record foraccuracy, such as international, national and localauthorities and reliable news channels.

Get back into your routine. During the recentlockdown, days and weeks began to flow into eachother. We now need to re-establish a routine forwork, recreation, child care and education in orderto stay on track.

Care for your body. Look after your health bymaintaining a proper diet and exercise regime. Ifyou are still uncomfortable with exercising at thegym or in public spaces, find something motivatingto follow on YouTube, or create your own exerciseroutine.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. Boredom, frustration oranxiety might tempt you to consume alcohol ordrugs, but this will only increase your risk and makethe situation worse.

Limit social media. Overuse of social media maylead to depression and increased isolation andexpose you to dangerous unfounded rumours. Also,limit video gaming and screen time in general.

Rest and recreate. Get adequate sleep, keep upwith your hobbies, and spend time with your family.

Help others. We are all in crisis, and that burdencan be lessened if shared. Make donations totrusted organisations. Help the elderly with theirshopping.

Express gratitude. Say thank you to health careworkers who put their lives at risk for us. Begrateful to your family, your friends, your neighboursand God for protecting you thus far.

Trust in your future.

23JULY 2020 22 I N S I G H T

• 2 Julie/ Starch Mangoes, in season fromApril (or use canned puréed mangoes)

• 250–300ml/9–10½ fl oz cold milk• ½–1 tsp runny honey, or to taste,

according to the size and sweetness ofthe mangoes

• ice cubes, to serve

1. Stand one of the mangoes upright with thenarrow end facing you. Slice off the 'cheeks'on either side of the stone and slice these inhalf lengthwise.

2. Cut around the stone to take off as muchflesh as possible, capturing all the runningjuices in a bowl.

3. Remove the skin by peeling or cutting thefruit carefully off it. Repeat with the othermango. Discard the skin and purée the fleshand juice in a food processor or blender.

4. Add the milk and honey and combine until itbecomes a thick smooth mass. Chill untilready to drink. Add the ice cubes and servestraight from the fridge. A little goes a longway, so serve in small glasses.

ENTRY FORM:Name:

Contact Info:

Jenny’s RestaurantTGI Friday’sLa Cantina

Fill out the entry form attached with your answers and place it in the specially marked box located in theReception Area, 2nd Floor East. Participants from the branches may forward their entries to SharonDaniel-Munroe – Corporate Communications Department, in a suitably marked envelope.The deadline for submission is September 8th at 4:15 pm. Late entries will not be accepted.On your entry form, please include your contact information and indicate your preference for one of thefollowing: Jenny’s Restaurant, TGI Fridays or La Cantina. Only one entry per person is allowed.Neither photocopies nor e-mail will be accepted. The first correct entry chosen by random draw will bedeclared the winner and will be announced on September 10th.The competition is open to TTMF employees only. Management and staff of the CorporateCommunications Department are not eligible to enter.

JULY 2020 22

HEALTHY MANGOSMOOTHIE

Ingredients

Method

BRAINGLE

JULY 2020 24