After conducting a survey of the country back in 1984, Ken Tout, Coordinator of Help the Aged International and his wife Jai, decided that the best and most ideal place to build a home for the elderly was in serene San Ignacio, Cayo.

          This decision was then followed by a team of volunteers from Operation Raleigh (UK) who started construction in March 1985. Operation Raleigh completed about 50% of the building and left in June that same year. In 1986 another team sponsored by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham’s Initiative continued with the construction work from March to June under the Supervision of Peace Corp Volunteer, David Wheeler (builder) and with substantial support from the Listowel Boys Training School and the community at large. The building dimensions then were: 134’L X 32’W, 6’ W porch, 6 rooms (16 X 16’), Dining Hall 32 X 22’, Kitchen 33 X 10’. On 5th May 1986 we received the visit of the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councilor Frank Carter and the Lady Mayoress, Elsie, who came to see the work in progress. At the time, Dr. Bidar Swamy was the Chairman of the HelpAge Belize - Cayo Committee and he was very instrumental in lobbying for the building with Help the Aged International based in the United Kingdom. Dr. Swamy resigned his post on 10th November 1985 as he left to pursue further studies abroad. The HelpAge Cayo Committee was then formed by Elias Awe, Dan Silva, Azucena Winsor, Ismael Garcia, Juva Fernandez and John Lamb.

          The Octavia Waight Centre was inaugurated on 5th September 1986 by Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson. The home has a capacity to house 24 residents on a beautiful setting on 2 + acre plot of land.

          The Centre was given the name in honour of Mrs. Octavia Waight, affectionately known as “Miss Acti”, who was one of the first midwives and care givers to serve the community at a time when there was no resident medical doctor in the area. Mrs. Waight was born on 1st August 1868 and died on 6th January 1959 at the full age of 91 years.