Labour Ministry Celebrates Centenarians During Senior Citizens Month

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., paid visits to several centenarians to engage with them and present gift baskets as part of Senior Citizens’ Month activities.

The home visits, held in communities across Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine, and Clarendon from September 22 to September 23, were to check on their well-being and celebrate their lifelong contributions to national development.

In the Corporate Area, the Minister, who was accompanied by Executive Director of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC), Cassandra Morrison, and Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Audrey Deer Williams, spent quality time with 106-year-old Nina Brown; Rexford Thame, 101 years; Gwendolyn Colebourne, 105; and Sylvia Lyn, 104 years of age.

In St. Catherine, the centenarians visited were Isaac Roofe, 104 and Nellie Pennycooke, 102; and Veleta Brown, 101; Ruby Brooks, 101; and Ketura Stephens, 100 years of age in Clarendon.

The Minister presented them with copies of the book: ‘A Century of Jamaican Stories’ which chronicles the country’s rich cultural, social, and literary evolution over the past 100 years, told by Jamaican centenarians, including several of those visited.

Mr. Charles Jr. said the visits were part of the Ministry’s gesture to show appreciation for seniors.

He used the opportunity to reinforce the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Jamaica’s senior citizens are protected and supported to enjoy their golden years with dignity.

“Our focus is on ensuring that you’re healthy, that you’re happy and remain productive,” he said.

He also encouraged communities to embrace older persons and keep them engaged to prevent isolation.

“Isolation means you could have a senior in your home that still feels isolated because you don’t talk to them, you don’t engage them, you don’t empower them and educate them because they’re too old. If you’re blessed, you’ll become a senior citizen,” Mr. Charles Jr said.

He pointed out that older adults hold a wealth of knowledge, history, and life experience that can offer deep perspective to younger generations.

Hailing the centenarians, he noted that many of them are still active in their communities, going to church, and have a lot to share on how to live a long and peaceful life.

“As they said, the formula is simple – peace, happiness and Christ. So, for those who want to know what to do to live long, be peaceful, reject all the problems in your life and put Christ at the centre and at the head of all that you do,” he said.