Octavia Waight Centre
P.O. Box 167, San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize, Central America
Telephone: 501-824-2214 Fax: 501-824-2627
Octavia Waight Centre
P.O. Box 167, San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize, Central America
Telephone: 501-824-2214 Fax: 501-824-2627
| Senior Citizen's Week | Obituary |
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We are not ageing; we are increasing in value. I am very pleased to address you as Chairman of Helpage Belize in connection with Senior Citizens Week to be observed this year under the banner: We are not ageing; we are increasing in value, from Sunday 28th September to Saturday 4th October. Helpage Belize, for your information, is made up of two Senior Citizens Homes, being the Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly in Belize City and the Octavia Waight Centre in San Ignacio. (I am pleased to announce this morning that soon we will be inaugurating a spanking new building named the Hazel Hutchinson Home for Older Persons situated in the Capital City - Belmopan.) Helpage Belize is also responsible for district branches in Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize City, Benque Viejo del Carmen, Dangriga, Hopkins and Punta Gorda. The district branches provide meals on wheels for needy elderly persons, conduct home visitations, assist with baths where needed, and carry out special activities with the elderly. We do sincerely appreciate the many volunteers who help us to make this possible throughout the years. This service is indeed missionary work.
The purpose of observing the week for senior citizens is to remind us that this special breed of people has brought us to where we are today. In there own quiet and humble way they toiled night and day against all odds and adversities to give us Belizeans what we have today. They are the silent heroes of yesteryears who did not labor in vain but gave us a country rich in resources and, in particular, human values which lamentably we see eroding day by day. Most of our elderly folks were poor people but with a rich culture, strong Christian beliefs and admirable values - values that are direly needed today as we helplessly see the very social fabric of Belize sadly disintegrating before our very own eyes. Something went seriously amiss when we stopped listening to our grandparents and elderly folks. Little did we realized and appreciated the power and meaning of their counseling. As our theme this year rightly heralds: We are not ageing; we are increasing in value. So true! The principles for older persons, approved by the United Nations in 1991 is " that of: 1) Independence; 2) Participation; 3) Care; 4) Self-fulfillment, and 5) Dignity. A stark reality, according to the UN, is that older people are now the world's fastest growing population and by 2050: 1 in every 5 persons will be over 60 and for the first time in history, people in this age group will outnumber children. The numbers of older persons living in abject poverty are high and increasing." We are happy to see that through our advocacy activities, Government has now included men on the Non-Contributary Pension Scheme provided by the Social Security. Before, only women were entitled to this benefit. And speaking about government, we are thankful for their support throughout the years. In connection with Senior Citizens Week, therefore, the Octavia Waight Centre has prepared a special program to observe and highlight the plight of our elderly persons in Belize. Some of the highlights in the program is a parade through the streets of San Ignacio & Santa Elena lead by two marching bands, eighteen schools will be visiting the Octavia Waight Centre throughout this week; a Fun Day on Friday the 3rd of October where we are expecting elderly folks from various communities to participate and of course, the Grand Walkathon on Saturday from the OWC to Bullet Tree Falls and back. It is a fun-packed program prepared especially in honor of our older folks. As I come to a close of this short message, on behalf of Helpage Belize, I thank the government, the business community, and all those individuals and friends from at home and abroad for their kind assistance throughout the years in helping us to provide special attention to the plight of the elderly persons in Belize. Let us now celebrate our older persons! Thank you. |
Address by Patroness HelpAge Belize Sister Elsa Oliva Every year on the 1st of October we celebrate International Day of Older persons. What is the importance of this day? On this day we pay special attention to those who have laid our foundation in life. Were it not for our great grand and grand parents we would not be here. So we need to be respectful and to show them that we appreciate what they have done and that even though they are ageing in years we still love them and show them gratitude. Our theme this year is so true and practical: WE ARE NOT AGEING; WE ARE INCREASING IN VALUE. Our senior persons are really not growing old, as the saying goes, "only clothes get old." So le us think of them as a gift from God with a wealth of information and experience which they can share with us so that in years to come we can remember them with respect and pride. Even today whenever I go to Helpage I am edified by the older persons who go there for Arts and Crafts, games and other activities. They may be up in years but they are not helpless. It is true that some due to possible hard work and other medical reasons will need some care and attention. Let's not classify them all as one and the same. Treat each one according to their abilities, remembering that what we are today they were some years ago, and what they are today we will one day be. God gave us the fourth commandment, "respect and obey your father and mother." (This includes grand parents.) Friends, please love and respect senior persons and praise God for having given them to us. Remember that all of us will advance in age. I would like to express our gratitude to all the agencies and business establishments that contribute to our programs, financially and materially, also those persons who work with HelpAge across the country in offering service to our older persons. May God bless your generosity? It gives me great pleasure to declare Senior Citizens Week opened  |
REFLECTIONS...
ON THE LIVES OF MIKE & DONNA HILL18th July 2008
It is with much sadness that we, the residents, staff and members of the Board of Governors of the Octavia Waight Centre, express our heartfelt condolences to the immediate family and friends of Mike & Donna Hill.
I wish to say from the unset that the loss of both Mike and Donna in such a sudden and tragic way was a shock to all of us here at the Octavia Waight Centre as just a few days prior to their death, we were celebrating their friendship, enjoying Mike's music and savoring Donna's exquisite cooking and, of course, discussing future plans, as they were always interested to know about our projects at the home. By their genuine actions, their concern and charitable deeds, they both shared the true meaning of "friendship."
From our recollection, Donna and Mike started visiting the home about 6 years ago. It would seem that they had adopted the Octavia Waight Centre as one of their "close-to-my-heart" social projects as I can remember that they both visited us on every public and bank holiday when they would sponsor a special meal for the residents and staff. They provided all the food items; Donna would cook and help serve the meals while Mike and a group of his friends would be out on the verandah singing songs for the elderly. It was simply neat, and of course, much appreciated by the Board and staff members. We particularly recall Christmas Day when they would both bring along special gifts for each resident and staff member and cook a Christmas Dinner to the delight of all who attended. They really brought with them and shared the joy of the Christmas spirit.
The life of the Octavia Waight Centre can best be described as a community experience and we are thankful to God for giving us Mike and Donna albeit for a short period of time, to help, participate, enhance and enjoy in the growth and development of our Senior Citizen's home. Their contribution had a special touch of friendship and spirituality.
We recall last year, when we discussed with Donna the need for a bus to take the residents on field trips and joy rides. There and then she decided to write various resorts at home and abroad asking for help to raise funds for the purchase of the bus. I am happy to say, that just last June we were able to purchase a second hand 44 seater bus from Houston, Texas. Thanks to Donna and Mike and the many contributors who answered her call.
Donna and Mike no doubt, had a heart of gold, a social conscience and were loved by all here at the home. They were friends that we all enjoyed and will sadly miss. As a Belizean, I can only apologize for the atrocity that took place on that fateful 5th day of July but I pray that the family will find comfort and forgiveness in the fact that Donna and Mike leave behind a cohort of honest and sincere friends here in Belize that loved and cared for them very much.
I end this brief reflection in the words of Isaiah (41:10):
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- "Fear not, for I am with you;
- Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
- I will strengthen you,
- Yes, I will help you,
- I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Elias A. Awe
Chairman, HelpAge Belize
18th July 2008
