Congratulations are very much in order to the second spring Senior Activity centre, the Board of Directors, committee members, the general membership, well-wishers and other stake holders.However, as the saying goes” the only reward for good work is more work”. To some the saying may appear oxymoronic in nature. How could one speak of more work to persons who have toiled most of their lives up until now and participating in a centre designed to assist in the maintenance of their recreational, physical, emotional, intellectual and general relational activities.
Ladies and gentlemen, I do not kid you or in local parlance, I ent mamaguying allyuh. In your letter of invitation to address this function, second paragraph, I quote “We have recognized the need for a facility geared towards the well being and enhancement of our seniors as such we are delighted to announce its establishment. We feel that the community will benefit immensely from this centre and second spring will give more meaning to our most treasured assets – Our Seniors.”Usually, in addressing any group or topic, one always have some concept or opinion but it always good to engage in some research. My initial opinion and reaction was one of joy and relief for elders and seniors, here was an opportunity for the renewal of old and development of new relations and networks. It was also the accumulation and availability of a large pool institutional, cultural and historical memory , which persons like myself and other so incline could take the time to relate and interact with to deal with many of our pressing issues, challenges and other opportunities , which are daily being presented to us as unsolvable problems.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I know you like us all have our problems and challenges. We like our nation are not unique in these areas; however, how we plan and execute our plans makes a difference. Today, like the majority of the world nations we face an aging population. Some 157,000 persons or 13 percent of our population is over the age of sixty (the age of retirement. In more graphic terms, it is the population of the Tunapuna –Piarco Regional Corporation (215, 000) minus the population of Tobago.) The data project show by 2025 the percentage would have increased to some 17 % of the population.The long and short of the story is the nation’s present constituted work force is in decline at a time when there is a greater need for contribution from the 16- 59 age group. Ladies and gentlemen, I am not referring to increased unemployment; get this right, there are not enough persons joining the work force to support the increasing number of persons needing support from the working population.
- My first suggestion is that you as a group make a study
or a review of the book -" Ageing in the Caribbean",
edited by Dr Joan Rawlins and Dr Nicole Alea, (you could contact, Institute for
Gender and Development Studies, UWI, St
Augustine.) I am certain this would
assist your group and your generation(s) in positioning yourselves in the
reality of Trinidad and Tobago, 2017 and beyond.
- Secondly, “All play and no work makes both Jack and Jill dull persons” – Yes, your activity centre and group is for entertainment and enjoyment. However, permit me to point out; entertainment is Big, Big business, so think again.Following through from my second suggestion, the fact of the matter is, your group and other groups like yourselves, represent and are the repository of our nation’s intellectual , institutional, cultural memory and skills deposit, the greater part of which have not been documented and if not done would be lost forever. We as a group cannot call or yearn for a return of desired parts of the old-time days, if the persons to assist in the return of favorable conditions do not know about them or cannot access works of reference. All aspects of our history and existence need to be documented by us.
- The technologies
now exist, not only to ensure ease of documentation but also, effective and
efficient transmission of these memories and skills. The hottest traded commodity today is
intellectual property. Have no fear of
the technology, it important to my generation and those following to teach and
mentor you in its use and employment, for unlike Max Senhouse, who needed the money;
we need the knowledge, skill and information.
Ladies
and gentlemen, I am sure you did not invite me here this morning, to spoil your
appetite or pour cold water on your celebrations. However, from where I sit , forgive me if I am wrong, as a child of your generation and
a father of your grandchildren and great grandchildren, I had to plead with Mum
and Dad for another hand up from you and your generation to see us
through. I recall, in my first statement
as representative for Tunapuna, I referenced the intellectual, institutional
and other memories deposited and resident in our people that needed to brought
to bear on our situation.
You as
generation have brought us from colonialism to independence and into
republicanism; your nation again needs your contributions. (I personally
genuinely would like to continue our dialogue).
Nevertheless,
in closing and on behalf of your generations following, plead with you, to
again lend your hand and “Bloom Again”
Congratulation, God’s continued blessing and all successs.
