Five Centenarians celebrated in one day… In this report, Terry-Ann Browne-Campbell tells us that Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Donna Cox, visited five homes in North Trinidad on Friday to distribute medals to centenarians.
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Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Senator Donna Cox, on Friday 3rd March 2023, distributed commemorative medals to five (5) centenarians who were honoured under the Ministry’s relaunched National Centenarian Programme (NCP). They are Ms. Naomi Rogers Age 104, Ms. Elmira Solomon Age 101, Ms. Paulina Chotalal Age 100, Ms. Ira Kitson Age 100, and Mr. Everest Hastick Age 102.
The five centenarians were the first group to receive their medals, the first recipient being Ms. Una Lardy who was awarded hers at her 111th birthday celebration on December 24th, 2022. The specially curated medals form part of the Ministry’s NCP as the Programme seeks to honour and acknowledge those one hundred years and over for their longstanding contributions to society and the development of the nation.
Minister Cox’s first stop was to Ms. Elmira Solomon who resides at the St. Crispin’s Home for the Aged located in Woodbrook. Ms. Solomon, who recently celebrated her 101st birthday on February 8th, 2023, told Minister Cox that she should not live her life to please anyone and that she should always dance. This visit was followed by a visit to Ms. Paulina Chotalal of Woodbrook. After receiving her medal, Ms. Chotalal told the Minister that she still cooks, crotchets and sews and that she keeps herself active telling the Minister to “keep yourself moving.”
Former teacher and vice principal, Ms. Naomi Rogers, also received her medal from the Minister. Minister Cox was pleased to learn that the centenarian is still strong and doing well. Ms. Ira Kitson, the fourth recipient, donned her special shoes to receive her medal from Minister Cox. During the visit to 102-year-old Everest Hastick, he thanked the Minister for “climbing his hill” further stating that he is still “batting and not out.”
The Ministry will continue to award medals to centenarians registered under the National Centenarian Programme. The medal features an antique gold design reminiscent of the deep sense of reverence, compassion and generosity that are traditionally associated with older persons.
The medal features a red, white and black ribbon to signify its uniqueness to Trinidad and Tobago. Each medal is also engraved with the centenarian’s full name and date of birth.
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services continues to invite persons to register for the Programme by visiting social.gov.tt to complete the online form or, print a downloadable form for completion. Completed forms may be dropped off at the nearest Social Welfare Office or emailed to the Division of Ageing at opic@social.gov.tt. For more information, persons may contact the Division of Ageing at 623 – 2608; Ext 2001 to 2010 or 800-OPIC (6742).
