In a demonstration of its ongoing commitment to enabling the lives of Jamaica’s elderly, the Flow Foundation joined the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) in underscoring the importance of recognising the seniors’ invaluable contributions to society. This comes on the heels of a series of heartwarming initiatives during Senior Citizens’ Month in September, with the marquee period of September 24 to October 1 designated as Senior Citizens’ Week.

One of the month’s flagship activities was the reopening of the NCSC’s Activity Centre, an initiative powered by the Flow Foundation, delivering a substantial boost of 100Mbps of high-speed internet through Flow’s fibre-fast network. This connectivity facilitates a fully-equipped computer lab aimed at enhancing the seniors’ digital literacy skills so they are included in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

The benefits of the upgraded centre extend beyond the digital realm. It also provides a nurturing environment for seniors to engage in meaningful social interactions, participate in recreational activities, and attend workshops catering to a diverse array of needs and skill sets.

Courtney Bell, the Community Programmes Coordinator at the Flow Foundation, spoke passionately about their commitment to the NCSC’s activities during Senior Citizens’ Month.

“Our seniors are national treasures of our society. They have experience, wisdom, and a life perspective that we can all benefit from,” said Bell. “During the many activities for Senior Citizens’ Month, we could not help but admire their resilience to participate and their curiosity to learn about technology. At the Flow Foundation, our main objective for the seniors is to collaborate with the NCSC to ensure they are not left out of the fast-rising digital economy and that we empower them with skills, knowledge, and optimism.”

Other Senior Citizens’ Month activities supported by the Flow Foundation included a Tech Talk, where 120 seniors in Gregory Park, St. Catherine, received valuable insights on the advantages of digital literacy. There was also a National Spelling Bee Competition, an Ageing Fair, and a run/walk event, for which the Flow Foundation provided prizes and giveaways.

Cassandra Morrison, the Executive Director of the NCSC, emphasized the importance of specifically recognizing our seniors and their significant contributions.

“Senior Citizens’ Month is a very important date in our annual calendar. We believe that our seniors have and continue to play a meaningful role in our society and it is important that we take the time to recognize their significant contribution,” Morrison said.

“Our activities commemorating Senior Citizens’ Month is our way of celebrating them and showcasing that they are relevant despite their advancing years,” she added.

The Flow Foundation’s unwavering support of senior citizens has not only enriched this year’s activities but left an indelible mark throughout the year. This includes its Digital Education Programme, where over 100 individuals have already completed training. Additionally, the Foundation champions online safety throughout the year and engages over 200 seniors annually in discussions about the digital landscape, educating them about the risks and opportunities of the internet.