As we celebrate the 139th anniversary of the birth of our first named national hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, I believe he would have been pleased with the proceedings of the event held last week by the Social Development Commission (SDC) to celebrate its retirees. The sustained applause as each person ascended the stage to receive his/her award — from office attendant to manager — spoke of the organisation’s practice of respect for all.

The main speaker, Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, shared the history of the SDC, recalling that it had its beginnings as the Jamaica Welfare Limited established by National Hero Norman Manley 80 years ago and was renamed the Youth Development Agency by the late Edward Seaga when he was minister of national development in Jamaica’s first post-Independence Cabinet. A young McKenzie and Dawn Spencer were active members, involved in community and sporting activities, including islandwide summer camps. Later, it was renamed the SDC.

He gave credit to “a political process that has given substance to the organisation, including people like Arnold Bertram, Maxine Henry-Wilson, and others”. He noted, “This institution that you serve is easily one of the most outstanding and progressive organisations in Jamaica.”

Minister McKenzie reflected on the SDC’s strong management of sporting events, including a Twenty20 (T20) competition: “I remember when I spoke at the launch of the T20 competition. I said if the Jamaica Cricket Board and the West Indies Board were as capable as the SDC in putting on competitions, cricket in Jamaica and the WI [West Indies] would be run [better]…You must have people who can get results like the people in the SDC.” He has ensured the job security of “every man and every woman who works at the SDC”.

Minister McKenzie said as Jamaica faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the research and planning of the SDC, which was in close touch with various communities, that helped to save hundreds of Jamaica lives. We had no idea the SDC had played such a crucial role, and we salute it.

State minister Delroy Williams, in remarking on the event’s theme, reminded us, “There is no legacy without resilience.” He congratulated the SDC’s trailblazers who had to interact “in very difficult spaces…” He said, “Staff members of the SDC in the formative years had to go through many challenges,” and emphasised the importance of the knowledge gained from the various communities from which to create solutions “to make Jamaica strong and to make Jamaica prosperous”.

There was hearty commendation for SDC Executive Director Omar Frith, who served as general manager of the Stella Maris Foundation when I was chair. Frith brings to his post the excellence and compassion he showed at the Grants Pen-based organisation. It is no wonder the SDC continues to be, in the words of Minister McKenzie, “a top-class” organisation.

Charge to Retirees

The SDC had kindly asked me to give the charge to its retirees. Here are some points I shared:

1) Protect your health. Schedule regular check-ups, keep active, eat wisely, rest properly, and pay attention to your mental and emotional well-being.

2) Stay connected. Retirement can bring freedom, but it can also bring isolation if we are not intentional. Keep in touch with friends, former colleagues, church groups, service clubs, community organisations, and family members. Conversation and companionship are medicine for the spirit.

3) Keep learning. Learn a new skill, explore technology, take up a hobby, read widely, attend seminars, or mentor younger people. A curious mind remains youthful.

4) Share your wisdom. Offer your experience to community groups, youth clubs, civic organisations, schools, churches, and voluntary associations. The years you have invested in national service have made you living libraries of community development.

5) Manage your finances with care. Review your budget, guard against scams, seek sound advice when needed, and plan for both expected and unexpected expenses. Peace of mind in retirement is helped by good stewardship.

Of course, I encouraged them to become members of CCRP (Caribbean Community of Retired Persons). We are a non-profit, non-denominational, and non-political membership organisation for people 40 and over. Founded 16 years ago, the organisation has grown to an islandwide membership of over 12,000 with the keen support of our brilliant board of directors, staff, dedicated chapter convenors, and parish representatives.

Our founding vision has grown into a strong movement for advocacy, empowerment, fellowship, practical benefits, and respect for seniors. We are involved in outreach for the needy elderly and assisted those affected by Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Melissa.

Having received numerous complaints about forms of elderly abuse, CCRP has been advocating for legislation and tough penalties to prevent this serious crime. We thank the special select committee of the Senate for its great work in receiving presentations from CCRP, National Council for Senior Citizens, and other stakeholders.

The committee has prepared a foundational document on which this legislation can be quickly developed, and we look forward to these laws which will protect our beloved seniors.

Cooper’s Pen debacle

Whatever legal steps may have preceded the demolition of houses in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny, I believe it was heartless to descend on the families at 3:00 am to execute the order. Imagine the fright of the elderly and children who were drawn out of their beds and stood watching the destruction of their dwellings.

We acknowledge that there was extensive correspondence between the owners and dwellers over more than 10 years. Some residents had even built concrete homes. It is a pity they did not use those resources to make themselves independent of the property owner instead of placing their fellow citizens in such a plight.

We note the assistance being given by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security as well as the Office of the Prime Minister. Are private parties donating to this effort?

We can use the Cooper’s Pen story to educate Jamaicans — residents, property owners, and political representatives — on how to protect themselves from such exercises in the future.

Helping period poverty

Philanthropist Shelly-Ann Weeks who founded the HerFlow Foundation has raised awareness of period poverty in Jamaica. This is the lack of access to menstrual products and appropriate hygiene facilities. The foundation’s research revealed that 42 per cent of Jamaican girls experience period poverty and may go without sanitary supplies for months at a time.

At its annual general meeting (AGM) last week, the St Andrew Business and Professional Women’s Club, led by President Alassandra Chung, disclosed it has been assisting five high schools with these products. It has also been distributing newborn items — formula and infant clothing — to the Glenhope Nursery, Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, Missionaries of the Poor, Jamaica Red Cross, and Mustard Seed. Adult supplies have also been donated to The Golden Age Home.

An update on the organisation’s Scholarship Foundation, established 25 years ago, was provided at the AGM. Treasurer Venita Walker noted that, “To date, the foundation has granted 127 awards to students from 66 high schools, disbursing a total of $2.6million.”

On the occasion of the club’s 50th anniversary, awards were presented by the president and immediate past president, Dr Lilieth Nelson, to retired banking executive Monica McNeil and botanist Dr Mearle Barrett, both of whom have served the organisation over many years.

Are you prepared?

Reports of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and fires have been coming from all corners of the world. With our particular vulnerability, it would serve us well to make preparations should emergencies arise.

You can immediately take photographs of your driver’s licence, passport, insurance forms, credit cards, land title, and save them in a confidential folder on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. You should also print them and place them in a Ziplock bag or another waterproof container.

You should create a “go bag” with sturdy sneakers or boots, change of clothing, raincoat, hygiene products, non-perishable food, water, batteries, flashlight, phone charger, transistor radio, extra prescription drugs, first aid, an over-the-counter items, those important items you copied and have in the Ziplock bag, water purification tablets, and toolkit.

Jean Lowrie-Chin is an author and executive chair of PROComm, PRODEV, and CCRP. Send comments
to lowriechin@aim.com.