St. Lucia to Mark International Day for Older Persons October 1st 2000

Contact: Tesa St. Ange

Thursday, September 28, 2000 - A public awareness drive has been launched to draw greater attention to the significant role senior citizens play in society. The Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations, in collaboration with Help Age St. Lucia National Council of and for Older Persons (HASLNCOP) and senior citizens’ homes have planned a month of activities to commemorate the tenth United Nations International Day for Older persons on October 1^st 2000.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, "Towards a Society for all Ages." According to Felicia Robinson, Director of the Division of Human Services and Family Affairs, the all embracing, inter-generational theme reminds us that everyone, not just the old, must prepare for the inevitability of aging and the accompanying consequences. "We want to bring forth the message that aging is a continuous process. We also want to do some education with respect to how we can prepare for this process, so that when we reach sixty or sixty-five years, according to male and female respectively, we’re not caught unaware, without having thought about this process and made some preparations and plans for it. We think that the preparation and planning process has to acknowledge that aging is a process that occurs, not just physically, but there are real social implications in terms of our aging. And we want to be able to address and to educate the public on that," she said.

A number of activities have been coordinated for October to highlight the work and contribution of the elderly and to generate greater sensitivity from the public towards them. Organisers have drawn on the resources of a number of voluntary service organizations, district councils and government ministries.

The activities will commence on Saturday, September 30 at 8:00 a.m. with a "Global Embrace Walk" from the entrance of the Pigeon Point causeway to the Pigeon Island National Park.

A church service to open the month of activities will be held on October 01, at the Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Church, in Soufriere, followed by an official opening ceremony. The Division of Human Services and Family Affairs has invited all church leaders across St. Lucia to join in marking this day with special recognition of older persons in their congregations.

Other activities include a "Beach Bash" on October 2, sponsored by the Help Aged St. Lucia to commence the Fun and Recreational Week, October 2 - 8, where emphasis will be placed on regionally organized games, public fitness and relaxation activities for older persons.

Residential facilities for older persons will host "Open Days " to the public on scheduled days throughout the week of October 9 to 15 and a Feeding Programme for residents will also be embarked upon during that week.

Members of the Club 60's, the Help Age St. Lucia National Council of and for Older Persons (HASLNCOP) and Staff of the Division of Human Services and Family Affairs are planning to visit schools during the week of October 16 – 22. An essay competition will be held for children between the ages of 9 -12 years and 13 -16 years. The closing date for the essay competition is October 19, 2000. During that week there will be regional tree planting activities by older persons, signifying the ageing process in growth/developmental stages of life.

Several Regional Exhibitions will be scheduled across St. Lucia from October 25 - 31. Senior Citizens' homes will be hosting their exhibitions on October 27, at Soufriere and in Castries a lunchtime concert a display/exhibition of arts and craft by older persons will be hosted at the Derek Walcott Square.

As a follow up to the registration of centenarians project embarked upon in August 2000, the Division of Human Services and Family Affairs will be recognizing the oldest known male and female persons in St. Lucia. Older persons, who have contributed significantly to their communities, will be honoured by Help Age St. Lucia National Council of and for Older Persons.

Distribution of food hampers to needy older persons and a talent show concert at the Senior Citizens' Home in Soufriere will be some of the culminating activities for the month.

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