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For Dawsher Charles, courage is not about the absence of fear. It is about choosing faith and forward movement even when uncertainty is present. A Caribbean social entrepreneur, educator, and creative practitioner, Dawsher is reshaping how young people build resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-belief.
As the founder of Survival Scholars and The Puppet Palace, Dawsher uses art, puppetry, and storytelling to promote youth mental health in ways that are joyful, accessible, and deeply human. Her work blends education, creativity, and advocacy to equip students with proactive coping tools that strengthen both emotional well-being and academic performance.
Through partnerships across UNESCO, Caribbean Development Bank, and the Organization of American States, Dawsher’s work reaches classrooms and communities across the Caribbean, addressing a growing mental health crisis among young people with compassion and innovation.
As a Global Fellow in Courage, Dawsher is deepening her leadership and expanding her impact, showing that healing can be creative, learning can be playful, and every child deserves tools to face life with confidence rather than fear.
Her courage lies in believing that resilience can be taught through imagination, and that joy itself can be a powerful form of care.
Being part of Global Fellows in Courage has been incredibly inspiring. Connecting with fellows and learning about the impactful work they are doing in their countries has given me a new perspective on what change can look like. I have loved seeing how we form synergies while also simply enjoying each other’s positive and fun personalities.
The speakers have also helped me become more self-aware, which I believe is the most important part of leadership. I have learned how to better leverage my strengths while acknowledging and addressing my weaknesses.
Whenever I hear the word courage, I think of Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
For me, courage is about moving forward even when fear or uncertainty shows up, trusting that I am walking in purpose. I do consider myself courageous because even when fear is present, I choose faith and continue moving forward.
I am working to address the lack of proactive mental health support for students. My focus is on equipping young people with positive coping tools that also enhance academic performance.
This work is urgent in Trinidad and Tobago because too many students turn to harmful coping mechanisms such as self-harm, substance use, bullying, or violence when life becomes overwhelming. By teaching emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience through creative methods, I aim to help students face challenges without harming themselves or others.
Each year, we empower thousands of students, teachers, principals, guidance counselors, and social workers. What stays with me most are the one-on-one stories.
One parent shared how their child used puppetry and poetry to manage stress during high-stakes exams, and later used the same tools to navigate conflict at a new school. In another case, a child grieving the loss of a baby sibling showed reduced anxiety at school and stopped biting his nails after our sessions. Those moments remind me that this work truly matters.
Yes. Watching how students expressed themselves through puppetry, often without saying a single word, was powerful. Seeing how creative expression opened doors to healing made it clear that this was the path I wanted to commit to.
Receiving testimonies years later about how puppetry continues to help students navigate life and school challenges only reinforces that decision.
I imagine a future where every child carries a puppet in their school bag not just as a toy, but as a buddy, a learning tool, and a safe space for processing emotions. I see puppetry being used in classrooms, emotional intelligence programs, and even digital spaces as interactive tools for learning and coping.
Alongside this, I envision our complementary resources being accessible in schools across the Caribbean so that every child has support to make the weight of life a little lighter.
My purpose keeps me going. I did not have access to this kind of proactive support growing up, and I want better for today’s students.
Knowing what is at stake if children lack healthy coping tools gives me the energy to continue. I hold onto the stories of the children I have worked with, and those stories give me hope every single time.
Many people believe puppets are only for preschoolers. In reality, puppetry is incredibly versatile. It can address serious topics, support therapy, help people connect across generations, and empower individuals of all abilities to express themselves.
Puppets break down barriers in ways words sometimes cannot. That is their power.
Dawsher Charles embodies the heart of Global Fellows in Courage by showing that creativity, compassion, and courage can coexist. Through her work, she is transforming how young people across the Caribbean learn to cope, connect, and thrive.
