Pulling at your heartstrings...

Chertika's heart and hands are in the right place.

Meet Chertika Phillip. She is a spirited young woman with the passion to change the world with her hands. And just how does she intend to do this?

“I want to become a heart surgeon,” said Chertika, “and I also play the violin. It’s like I can do all these things with my hands to make people’s life better and more enjoyable.”

Chertika is a second-year college student. She is currently studying pre-med, and in a couple of years will be off to medical school to delve even deeper into her dream of becoming a cardiologist.

“It might seem weird but the main reason I want to become a cardiologist is because I love blood. The heart is where all the blood of the body passes through at one point, and it is connected to all the arteries, veins and capillaries which make up the cardio-vascular system. I want to explore all of this for the rest of my life – how it works, how and why it malfunctions, and how to fix it.”

“I also kind of have a natural instinct to want to help people, and I’m also very bossy at times,” she said smiling, “and as a doctor you need to have a soft spot, but also be able to take charge of things around you.”

But this budding doctor also has an artistic side. She is a 6^th grade violinist, and a member of the National Sinphonia Orchestra. She has won several awards in the National Music Festival, and the National String Festival, and has performed solo for church audiences. She is also a ballet student – grade 5 – and loves to sing.

Chertika believes that society owes her the right to live a fulfilling life, and that in return she owes society the right to receive her services after it has helped support and nurture her.

“It’s sort of like the Structuralist type of society – it helps you and you help others afterward. It’s about being responsible to each other.”

And does she feel that being born and bred in TnT has shaped her personality?

“Yes. Definitely. Trinidad is a diverse country so I’m diverse in cultural exposure -different ways of life, lifestyles, religions, ethnic practices and observances - and this has made me an open-minded person. It has also made me brave because with so much diversity I’m not afraid to explore and try new things.

She also has some strong views on love and family.

“The most I want in a relationship is support; somebody to be there for me, and not run when things are not going good. I also need honesty. I will give back the same to whoever gives this to me.

“I believe no one is born in a vacuum for a reason. Everyone needs people around them to teach them things and help shape them, and a family should be close so that their individual achievements can influence everybody else and open up their eyes to more possibilities,” Chertika said.

This young lady thinks that people need to play a bigger role in government.

“I know the elected Government and politicians help to make sure the country runs smoothly, but in any case, each citizen is a part of government and should not wait for the elected party to do things for them. They should make themselves able to do things for themselves and others.”

Chertika’s philosophy for life is simply profound.

“Don’t ever stop. Keep setting goals for yourself,” is the major rule she lives by.

“Some people say well if that is so, then when will you ever be satisfied and just enjoy your accomplishments? My answer to them is that there will always be a higher level of what you have achieved and where you are in life. You have to enjoy where you are, of course, but you should always go further.

“Even when I become a heart surgeon I would set goals for myself. I want to eventually do research in my area and then teach and then perhaps open a heart specialist centre, and there is so much I can do.”