Senior citizens showered with love at Pre-Valentine event
By Pauline Waruguru
Nevis Reporter, SKNvibes.com
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CHARLETOWN, Nevis - A wide cross-section of senior citizens were yesterday showered with love at a Pre-Valentine party hosted by the Ministry of Social Development in Nevis.
Area Representative of St. John’s Hon. Hensley Daniel, who also holds the Social Development portfolio, was the feature speaker at the party. He said his ministry had put together sustainable programmes for senior citizens and he would ensure the elderly are appreciated on a daily basis.
Minister Daniel told school children present that the elderly must be respected, as they raised children at a time when parents bore many of them. He said despite their heavy responsibilities of tilling the land, selling provisions and tending animals, senior citizens were able to instil core values that have lived on and built the country, “this is why we are able to celebrate 25 years of independence.”
Hon. Daniel cited the Home Care Programme, which is already in place. He said an outreach programme would be introduced early March in St. John’s through which the elderly could be involved in practical activities such as craft making.
“I believe the elderly want their own money,” the Minister said and added that it would be fulfilling for them to be economically independent. Through the envisaged creative economic activities, Mr. Daniel said he was convinced that the elderly would pass on skills to the youth.
He said Christian consciousness requires Nevisians to go the extra mile of giving quality care to the elderly at the community level.
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Byron ‘Sooty’ Byron was nostalgic about yesteryears when community groups often met at the Flats, a community centre built through self-help, and said this would be re-introduced. He called on youth to respect the elderly. “They are our caregivers, our teachers and our preachers.”
Byron called on community development officers to institute sustainable programmes for the elderly to ensure senior citizens enjoy themselves. “Community development is about development of the people,” he said. Byron said Nevis Island Administration (NIA) would remain on track to ensure the glory days of community development are back. “We want to use St. John’s community as the beacon.”.jpg)
Pastor Cecil Bartlette told the gathering that God requires people to love each other in practical ways like the biblical Good Samaritan by showing mercy and compassion.
Children from St. John’s Primary and Ivor Walters Primary Schools entertained the senior citizens with song and dance. The senior citizens were also treated to a delicious luncheon.
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