Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 30, 2019 (SKNIS): The leadership and staff of the Department of Social Services in St. Kitts joined scores of seniors in celebration of the Month of Older Persons, which is commemorated every year in October.
The commemoration began with an inspiring church service on Sunday, September 29, 2019, at the Antioch Baptist Church at Lime Kiln. Senior Pastor Lincoln D. Connor highlighted the value of older persons in any society in a message entitled “Fruit Bearing in Old Age.” Ministry officials in attendance included Permanent Secretary, Janelle Lewis-Tafari, Deputy Director of Social Services, Mary Ann Wigley, social assistance officers, and home care officers.
Other activities that will be observed in St. Kitts during October include an appearance on the radio and television programme Working for You on October 09, Boat Ride Along the Coastline on October 24, Staff Social Evening on October 25, and another radio appearance on October 30.
Minister of State responsible for Social Services, the Honourable Wendy Phipps, noted that various ministers of government will also visit the oldest persons in each community throughout the month.
During a national address on Monday, October 01, to mark the Month of Older Persons 2019, Minister Phipps said: “As St. Kitts and Nevis celebrates The Month of Older Persons we must consistently remember that our senior citizens matter. We must also remember that our people are now blessed with living longer than our ancestors did. We must ensure that senior citizens are properly cared for, and are given every opportunity to live their lives in a manner that maintains their dignity as human beings.”
The minister added: “We are privileged today to enjoy all of the benefits of their investments of toil, self-sacrifice and advocacy for human development. We in St. Kitts and Nevis continue to be blessed by having more and more people live to the age of 100 and beyond. Within the past few years, we have been equally blessed to have an increasing number of males become centenarians since women generally live longer than men. We thank God for these unmerited blessings.”
The Month of Older Persons is being celebrated under the theme: “The Journey to Age Equality” with the hashtag “60+ Counts.” The theme was selected by the United Nations (UN) for the 2019 celebration of the International Day of Older Persons which is observed on October 01, annually.
