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Residents and Organisations in Manchester Awarded for Contribution to Senior Citizens’ Council

September 18, 2006

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The Manchester Chapter of the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) has honoured six residents and two organizations in the parish, for their work and contribution to the Council throughout this year.
At a ceremony held recently at the New Testament Church of God in Mandeville, awards were presented to Doctor Jeffrey Gayle, Dr. Sydney Beaumont, Herbert Brown, Pastor Stephen Green, Novelette McPherson, Heather Wood-Mullings, West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO) and Confidence Bus Company.
NCSC Parish Organizer, Grace Crawford, praised the awardees for their “tremendous contributions throughout the year”, noting that “your work is greatly appreciated and I am pleased to know that we can call on you at any time”.
Reverend Calvin Trought, who was the keynote speaker at the function, noted that “being a senior doesn’t prevent any of us from being achievers.it is just another phase of ones development in the journey of life”.
He added that, “though for many, retirement is a signal of the end of productivity and many see themselves as not being able to contribute significantly to nation building”, for many others, “it is a time of productivity in work and family and to take on the challenges of nation building”. Pastor Trought also urged the seniors “not to see themselves as going down but heading into the future with wisdom and a world of experience”.
In her tribute to senior citizens, read by the Chairman of the Manchester Lay Magistrate Association, Herbert Brown, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller reminded them that “growing older is as natural as life itself and seniors are important members of any family, community, or country”.
She noted that “what makes aging fearful for some is failure to adequately prepare for this stage in the course of life”, but stated that “the government is playing its part by increasing the level of benefits under initiatives like the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), National Health Fund (NHF) and the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH)”. The Prime Minister informed the seniors that the government had made “a special provision of $150 million in this year’s budget, to provide shelter for poor senior citizens, and that the reform of our pension regulation and the putting in place of a tighter regulatory framework, will also add to the peace of mind of our seniors in their golden years”.
Meanwhile, Chairman for National Senior Citizens Week, Merel Hanson invited seniors to continue to “work harmoniously together” as this was “a sure way of developing communities and ultimately the nation”.
“I implore you to use the spirit of determination to achieve love, peace and order within your communities and carry others along with you in the ongoing process of national development,” she added.
The Manchester chapter of the NCSC will be hosting a number of activities in September in celebration of senior citizens month under the theme: ‘Empowering Seniors in National Development’.

Last Updated: September 18, 2006

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