Observer column for MON 28 JAN 2019
by Jean Lowrie-Chin
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| CCRP Directors and distinguished volunteers at a meeting last year to discuss Elderly Protection Legislation. Seated: Arlene Harrison-Henry, Public Defender and Attorney-at-Law Gloria Langrin Standing: Board Members Avrill Crawford, Jean Lowrie-Chin (Executive Chair), Vilma McDonald, Ambassador Aloun Assamba and Dennis Jones |
Volunteerism is alive and well in Jamaica, and the
kind folks who are stepping up for others are positively inspiring. The
Business & Professional Women’s (BPW) Club of St. Andrew have been
supporting the Elsie Bemand Home for Girls for decades and at a recent meeting,
members spoke like proud parents when they related the academic performance of
the students. For back-to-school, they
have ensured that the children have uniforms, books and proper nutrition to
optimize their performance.
Attorney-at-law Gloria Langrin announced at the
meeting that she had been researching legislation for protection of the elderly
and had data from Australia, Canada, India and Northern Ireland which can
assist the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) in their quest to have
similar legislation in Jamaica. There
were just about a dozen members at the BPW meeting, planning these initiatives
under the leadership of President Dr Mearle Barrett. I was reminded of that
famous quote by the late anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has.”
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| Meeting earlier this month with Shona Heron and Norma Taylor |
When we survey the beauty of our land, the blessings
of our fertile soil and the innate goodness of our people, we know that Jamaica
is worth every bead of sweat that we break. As we journeyed
to Ocho Rios and Montego Bay earlier this month, the sights buoyed our spirits
on our mission to establish chapters of CCRP which advocates for the welfare of
seniors.
| Pixley Irons |
There is a great deal of focus on our children, as there should be, but not enough on our elderly, too many of whom are being abused mentally, physically and financially. Shona Heron related to us the heartrending story of her late elderly relative who had suffered from dementia. She visited her regularly and noticed that she had marks on her legs. One day Shona entered the house unannounced, only to find the caregiver beating the poor woman. We have heard too many horror stories like this. Thank goodness for the efforts of concerned Jamaicans on behalf of the elderly.
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