The key points are temporarily unavailable. You can still read the full Story below.
Main Points
From Maloney Apartments to the Cockpit: Jamilla Ramlal Fulfils Her Childhood Dream of Flying From playing in water drums beneath a mango tree in Maloney to flying aircraft filled with passengers, Trinidadian pilot Jamilla Ramlal has a remarkable story of determination, sacrifice and the power of believing in one's dreams. In a heartfelt video shared by the Made in Maloney community platform, Ramlal returned to the neighbourhood where she spent her childhood, reflecting on the memories and experiences that helped shape her journey into aviation. "I'm a product of Maloney. I grew up right here," she proudly declared, recalling the second-floor apartment in Building 9 that her family called home for approximately 12 years. Her memories paint a picture of a close-knit community where cousins and siblings grew up together, riding bicycles along sections of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway while construction was still taking place in the mid-1990s. She fondly remembered her grandfather, affectionately known as Uncle, who stored water in large drums for gardening. Those same drums became makeshift swimming pools for the children, who would climb a nearby mango tree before jumping into the water. But while Maloney provided the foundation for her childhood, Ramlal's ambitions would eventually take her thousands of feet above the ground. She initially dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, a career she successfully pursued for 12 years with LIAT, the Caribbean airline based in Antigua. However, an unforgettable flight home to Trinidad helped change the direction of her life. Ramlal recalled travelling with a Grenadian pilot who would whistle the Sparrow calypso classic Jean and Dinah as part of his landing routine. Watching him work with such apparent ease sparked something within her. "No man, this is easy. I can do it," she remembered thinking. That moment helped inspire her decision to move from the aircraft cabin into the cockpit. The transition, however, was anything but easy. Ramlal explained that financing her aviation training, particularly obtaining the necessary US dollars, presented a major obstacle. She attended flight school during 2017 and 2018, relying on the support of family and friends to help turn her ambition into reality. Today, she describes the experience of taking off as one of the most extraordinary feelings imaginable. Standing approximately five feet four and a half inches tall, Ramlal marvelled at her ability to control an aircraft carrying passengers. She described the moment the wheels leave the runway as one filled with joy, pride and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Her journey has also become a source of pride for the Maloney community, demonstrating that talent and ambition can emerge from any neighbourhood. For Ramlal, the message extends beyond aviation. Whether someone hopes to become a pilot, lawyer, scientist or pursue another profession, she believes the most important step is having the courage to begin. "Once you believe in yourself, once you have that spark in your heart," she explained, people should hold on to their ambitions and continue working towards them. "You just have to put one foot in front of the other and start." Her story is more than a celebration of professional achievement. It is a reminder that the children growing up in apartment buildings, playing beneath mango trees and dreaming about their futures may one day find themselves accomplishing things they once thought impossible. For Jamilla Ramlal, the journey began in Maloney. Today, her dreams have taken flight.
From Maloney Apartments to the Cockpit: Jamilla Ramlal Fulfils Her Childhood Dream of Flying
From playing in water drums beneath a mango tree in Maloney to flying aircraft filled with passengers, Trinidadian pilot Jamilla Ramlal has a remarkable story of determination, sacrifice and the power of believing in one’s dreams.
In a heartfelt video shared by the Made in Maloney community platform, Ramlal returned to the neighbourhood where she spent her childhood, reflecting on the memories and experiences that helped shape her journey into aviation.
“I’m a product of Maloney. I grew up right here,” she proudly declared, recalling the second-floor apartment in Building 9 that her family called home for approximately 12 years.
Her memories paint a picture of a close-knit community where cousins and siblings grew up together, riding bicycles along sections of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway while construction was still taking place in the mid-1990s.
She fondly remembered her grandfather, affectionately known as Uncle, who stored water in large drums for gardening. Those same drums became makeshift swimming pools for the children, who would climb a nearby mango tree before jumping into the water.
But while Maloney provided the foundation for her childhood, Ramlal’s ambitions would eventually take her thousands of feet above the ground.
She initially dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, a career she successfully pursued for 12 years with LIAT, the Caribbean airline based in Antigua.
However, an unforgettable flight home to Trinidad helped change the direction of her life.
Ramlal recalled travelling with a Grenadian pilot who would whistle the Sparrow calypso classic Jean and Dinah as part of his landing routine.
Watching him work with such apparent ease sparked something within her.
“No man, this is easy. I can do it,” she remembered thinking.
That moment helped inspire her decision to move from the aircraft cabin into the cockpit.
The transition, however, was anything but easy.
Ramlal explained that financing her aviation training, particularly obtaining the necessary US dollars, presented a major obstacle.
She attended flight school during 2017 and 2018, relying on the support of family and friends to help turn her ambition into reality.
Today, she describes the experience of taking off as one of the most extraordinary feelings imaginable.
Standing approximately five feet four and a half inches tall, Ramlal marvelled at her ability to control an aircraft carrying passengers.
She described the moment the wheels leave the runway as one filled with joy, pride and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
Her journey has also become a source of pride for the Maloney community, demonstrating that talent and ambition can emerge from any neighbourhood.
For Ramlal, the message extends beyond aviation. Whether someone hopes to become a pilot, lawyer, scientist or pursue another profession, she believes the most important step is having the courage to begin.
“Once you believe in yourself, once you have that spark in your heart,” she explained, people should hold on to their ambitions and continue working towards them.
“You just have to put one foot in front of the other and start.”
Her story is more than a celebration of professional achievement. It is a reminder that the children growing up in apartment buildings, playing beneath mango trees and dreaming about their futures may one day find themselves accomplishing things they once thought impossible.
News Desk is the editorial publishing account for Tringlobe Media News, covering breaking news, public affairs, entertainment, community developments and regional stories across Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and internationally.
