New Senior Citizens Centre opens in Brewers’ Bay
The government of the BVI continues to ensure that the needs of the elderly
are taken care of with the launching of a Senior Citizens
programme in Brewers’ Bay. The Centre was officially opened May 17th
under the auspices of the Social Development Department
in the Ministry of Health and Welfare. This brings to seven the number
of senior citizens centres in the British Virgin Islands.
The others are the Carrot Bay Crème of the Crop Seniors, managed
by Mrs. Eunice Donovan with Beulah Romney and Shirley
Robinson as staff; the Sea Cow’s Bay Golden Seniors, with Mrs. Magdalene
Blyden and Manager and Dorna Nibbs, Brenda
Leonard and Chanette Joseph as staff and the Road Town Jolly Seniors,
with Manager Ms. Tatica Scatliffe and Margaret Lake, Rem
Adonis and Alma Frazer-Fahie as staff.
There is also the East End/Long Look Rising Sun Seniors with Mrs. Esmie
Potter as Manager and Errinita McLean, Sesilee Thomas,
Ione Thomas and Ruth Gordon as staff; the Virgin Gorda Seniors Aglow with
Mrs. Sandra Flax as Manager and Elita George and
Lalita Mc Quikin as staff and the Anegada Cultured Pearls, with Mrs. Ethlyn
Potter as Manager and Darlene Vanterpool and Thelma
Young as staff.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the new Brewer’s Bay Senior
Citizens Centre, Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal
noted that these seniors have all served in some important capacities
throughout their earlier lives, as teachers, local Constables,
Members of Council, nurses, farmers, fishermen, housewives, mothers and
fathers. He said they have all made significant
contributions to the development of this territory.
“From the little researches that I was able to do and talking with
older people than myself, you did not have an easy job; it was really
difficult,” he remarked. He recalled that in those days, the only
social programmes were those that the churches could have afforded
to do, but said thankfully, nowadays, the financial position of the territory
is much better.
“Because of that, government is able to provide such programmes,”
the Chief Minister commented. He said the programme is not the
best, but said, “we are getting there”.
He accepted the thanks paid to the government by Chief Social Development
Officer Mrs. Edith Penn, but noted that the money to
finance these programmes is voted by the Legislative Council. He said
there has never been any objection to such programmes and
the legislators are always keen to ensure that the senior citizens of
this territory are looked after.
Mrs. Irene Parsons has been named Coordinator of the new Brewer’s Bay Senior Citizens Centre.
According to Chief Minister O’Neal, government is determined to
increase the number of days the seniors meet from two to three
days a week. He also assured those on Jost Van Dyke that a similar programme
would soon be launched on that island and that a
better facility will be set up in Road Town for the seniors there to meet.
The territory’s leader said he is conscious of the fact that most
seniors were not eligible for social security when it was introduced in
1980 and ways and means must be found to help the needy in these islands.
He said the Members of the Legislative Council all share
that what is currently given to the needy is too small and efforts will
be made to better their situation. Hon. O’Neal said he would also
be exploring the possibility of establishing a pharmacy in Johns Hole.
District Representative Hon. J. Alvin Christopher, in his remarks, was
delighted that this programme was officially launched in
Brewers Bay. He recalled an unsuccessful attempt some 7/8 years ago to
have a pilot programme launched. The Minister thanked the Ministry of
Health and Welfare for assisting with the establishment of the programme
for the seniors in Brewers’ Bay and surrounding areas. He said he
would continue to push for a centre to be built in Cane Garden Bay to
serve the needs of those in that general area.
“My full support, 100% support goes out to this programme,”
he declared. He said any country can be judged by the way it treats its
seniors and its young people and he pledged his continued support to the
programme. “For you who have laboured and have been borne the burden
of preserving this country so that we can enjoy, the least we can do is
to make sure, doubly sure, that you enjoy some of the benefit that this
territory is reaping today,” Minister Christopher said. Hon. Ethlyn
Smith, Minister of Health and Welfare also brought remarks and officially
declared open the Brewers Bay Senior Citizens Centre. She encouraged the
seniors in her District, 5, that their centre would also soon be launched.
She said with the launching of the programme in Brewers Bay, the seniors
there would now have the opportunity to come together and share their
ideas and experiences. “They now have an opportunity to benefit from
the services being offered by the Department of Social Development to
assist seniors of this territory to lead active lifestyles that come with
positive aging.”
Minister Smith said the Senior Citizens programme has served to enhance
the lives of seniors and provide for the younger ones an opportunity to
see older people as the vital, interesting and productive members of this
society. She said many seniors have and continue to contribute to the
development of the community in a number of ways as employees, volunteers,
caregivers etc. “We must therefore ensure that they are provided
with the care and resources that would enable them to live fulfilling
and active lives as long as possible,” the Minister of Health pointed
out. She said positive aging offers sustained independence, new friendships,
good health and self-fulfillment and this places less demands on the territory’s
social services. The Senior Citizens programme in the BVI is now in its
12th year, having started in Sea Cows Bay in 1989. May is Senior Citizens
Month in the BVI.
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