Trinidad & Tobago Youth Lead Space-Kids Satellite Initiative – An Interview with Caitlin Sahatu, Donna Moses & Melanie Richards

8/18/2026
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Overview

The Human Impact program on Freedom 106.5 FM featured an extensive interview with three prominent women involved in a pioneering space-education project that will send a Trinidad-and-Tobago student into orbit. Host “TNT” welcomed Miss Caitlin Sahatu, the selected Space Kids ambassador, Miss Donna Moses (general treasurer of Sir Optimist International, Port of Spain), and Ms. Melanie Richards, head of sustainability and social investment at Ansa Macal.

The Space-Kids Programme

  • Ansa Macal, in partnership with Sir Optimist International and the Indian-based Mission ShaktiSat, runs an online “Space Kids” curriculum comprising 120 hours, 21 modules and over 365 lessons covering physics, mathematics, satellite design and related technologies.
  • The programme selects youth ambassadors; Caitlin Sahatu was chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago, joining 107 other girls from around the world.
  • Participants complete certificates after each module and engage in practical activities, including satellite-design challenges.

Donna Moses’s Path to the Project

  • Moses previously worked at White Tap Limited as a liaison with the Commonwealth of Learning, where she learned of the Indian initiative seeking ambassadors.
  • She then became president of Sir Optimist International and enlisted the club to support the project, emphasizing mentorship for girls in STEM.
  • She described the project as an “online program where you support these girls,” noting its focus on empowering young women.

Caitlin Sahatu’s Journey

  • Caitlin first learned about the project through a senior school ambassador, Ms. Laura, while attending secondary school.
  • She balanced participation with CAPE exams and later continued while studying medicine at the University of the West Indies (UWE) St. Augustine campus.
  • Her interview in India lasted two hours and included technical questions on physics, maths, satellite basics, as well as assessments of leadership, teamwork and communication.
  • She will travel to India the following week to collaborate with 107 girls and scientists on satellite building and design.

Future Aspirations

  • Caitlin aims to combine her medical training with space medicine, envisioning remote health monitoring, tele-medicine, disaster-response support and climate-change research from orbit.
  • She hopes the experience will inspire a Caribbean “space cohort” and possibly a dedicated club to bring space education to local schools.

Sir Optimist International’s Role

  • The organization runs eight clubs in Trinidad and Tobago, the oldest dating back to 1959.
  • Current initiatives include a cervical-cancer/HIV-HPV awareness campaign and a plastic-pollution project with St. Crispin Anglican, recycling collected bottles into library refurbishments.
  • Through the Space Kids programme, Sir Optimist International seeks to increase female participation in the space sector, which globally comprises only about 20% women.

Corporate and Government Support

  • Melanie Richards explained that Ansa Macal’s social-investment portfolio aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (youth, education, reduced inequalities, gender equality).
  • The organization views the project as a convergence of youth empowerment, STEM exposure and gender equity.
  • Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Education to integrate the curriculum into national platforms, potentially offering dual certification with Indian space institutions.

Looking Ahead

  • The programme remains open for enrollment until October, with plans to add face-to-face sessions to complement the online format.
  • There is interest in expanding participation to boys and securing broader Caribbean involvement, including countries such as Jamaica, Grenada, Dominica, St. Lucia and Haiti.
  • Upon her return, Caitlin may work with the Heroes Foundation and other local groups to share her experience and inspire students across the region.

Conclusion

The interview highlighted a collaborative effort between NGOs, corporate social investors, and the Trinidad and Tobago education sector to place a local youth ambassador on a satellite mission, fostering STEM engagement and showing a pathway for future Caribbean contributions to space exploration.