Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 05, 2016 (SKNIS): The older persons in St. Kitts and Nevis were given due respect and accolades at the first activity that was held in their honour during the Month of Older Persons at the Church of God of Prophesy in Newton Ground on Sunday (October 02, 2016).
Deputy Director of Social Services, Ann Wigley, delivered brief remarks and noted that the week is being held under the theme “Take a Stand Against Ageism,” with the sub-theme “60+ Counts.” In this instance, ageism refers to discrimination against older persons and Mrs. Wigley noted that for various reasons, persons sometimes don’t even want to admit that they are growing older and this should not be the case.
“Age is honour and we are here, but we are not sure if they (younger ones) would be here, because we know what’s going on in the world today,” Mrs. Wigley said. “So we give God thanks for our age and let us continue to honour our senior citizens of the country. Not just us in St. Kitts and Nevis, but the entire world is celebrating the Month of Older Persons starting the 1st of October, the entire world. If you go to Japan, England, anywhere, this is the Month of Older Persons.”
The Deputy Director of Social Services further noted that seniors needed to be respected, loved, and cherished at all times of the year. She noted that these measures should be extended not only to the seniors in one’s immediate circle but to all.
During his sermon, Curtley Mills Sr., Pastor at the Church of God of Prophesy in Newton Ground, St. Kitts, addressed the theme and referred to Romans 13:8 and Proverbs 1:1-9, noting that like the governmental authorities, older ones are deserving of respect. He said that oftentimes the accomplishments of seniors are not acknowledged until their death.
“It is only around their casket as their corpse lies dead and they are without the ability to hear, enjoy, express their sentiments, or say thank you, when the many tributes are uttered; but, to the people who are not really significant,” Pastor Mills said.
“Today, let us not find ourselves negligent of fulfilling Paul’s admonition that our older persons need to hear us express their impact on our lives. And to what measure it might be done? We must strive to do so at our very best,” Pastor Mills said.
Upcoming major activities in the Month of Older Persons are Senior Citizens’ Movie Day at Caribbean Cinemas on October 15; Distribution of Food Hampers at the Seventh Day Adventist School on October 19; and Senior Citizens’ Gala at Manhattan Gardens Restaurant on October 29. Representatives from the Department of Social Services and Community Development will make guest appearances on local television and radio shows to address the theme and express the significance to older ones’ contribution to development and society in general.
