WCD elderly recognised as Guyana celebrates Elderly Month 2016

As Guyana continues to recognise the elderly for their contribution to society, the National Commission of the Elderly, Social Protection Ministry in collaboration with the Meten-Meer-Zorg Islamic Complex (MMZIC) on Saturday recognised senior citizens of West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The recognition was part of the MMZIC’s Guyana National Committee for Sisters’ Affairs (NACOSA) Love and Respect the Elderly Project.
Hosted at the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) Masjid and multicomplex at Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD, the event saw a large number of elderly attending.
Themed, “Take a stand against ageism” Elderly Month, October, is being celebrated in all ten administrative regions of Guyana.
As caring for the elderly is a major concern of the National Commission of the Elderly, the organisation has decided to join in the call with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to bring about awareness of ageism.
As such the countrywide campaign has been launched to change society’s perception of the elderly.
The senior citizens were delighted to hear of their value and importance being recognised for the work they have done throughout the years.
Addressing the seniors at the event, Aleema Nasir, Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission noted that the manner in which the elderly is treated by many will reflect greatly on them as individuals.
According to her, a senior citizen is one who was born before many of the necessities that “we have today and paved the way for us to enjoy life as we do today.
“I can think of no better way of redeeming this tragic world today than with love and laughter, too many of the young have forgotten how to laugh and too many of the elders have forgotten how to love, wouldn’t it be a much better place if we all taught ourselves how to love another?” Nasir queried.
Delivering the feature address, Diego Alphonso, Social Protection Ministry representative, also lauded the organisation for arranging such an affair for the elderly.
He noted that October 1 was designated as International Day of the Elderly; however Guyana has recognised that more than a day is needed and so designated the entire October for the elderly.
Speaking with a few of the seniors, they all commended the organisation and the Ministry for the “special treatment” they have received.
According to one elder woman, “the elderly is very important because they work hard, they serve the country and now because of sickness, they are unable to take care of themselves; the Government can think about an organisation to honour us”.
MMZIC in making additional efforts to honour the seniors, noted that they will be setting up facilities on WCD, especially where the elderly gather to uplift their pension and old age, etc, to ensure that they are comfortable and the process is a speedy one for them.