They often say that “Christmas is for the kids”. The Christians say the World’s Greatest Gift Ever was the Divine Christ-Child, Jesus.
Depending on your beliefs you can deal with that. Even as all Guyanese groups embrace this powerful season. As I get nearer to SEVENTY, I still love children but WORRY for our old. Here are my thoughts shared the other day.
Related to age, tolerance, expectations and frustration, my senior-citizen-related disposition has me lamenting the socio-economic status of our citizens and the State, generally. I concede that too often my “age-related” impatience drives me to, despairingly, criticize the consequences of the country’s decades-long shoddy governance and mis-management. Our older, honest senior citizens would agree that whenever they witness some ne national achievement, that enterprise or project should have been reality some thirty year ago.
Growing Old in Guyana
So as with our plunging standards and levels with respect to civility, respect for authority, management of the Capital City, public transportation, prevention and/or prosecution of executive corruption – you name it if you’re over sixty – let me share my observations – and worry – regarding Guyana’s Golden Neglected Citizens.
Whilst I appreciate the recent journalistic contributions of Columnist Henry Jeffrey – former PNC ideologue – teacher and former PPP/C Minister of Many Portfolios discussing the principles and objectives of various United Nations Conventions and Decrees on aging, I focus on the rugged realities of getting old, post-sixty, post-seventy, in this land, Guyana.
Whether teacher, tradesman home-maker or horticulturist, seamstress or stenographer, cane-harvester or consultant, public servant or painter, today’s over-sixty, over-seventy citizen, most likely laboured for some forty or fifty years, contributing to community and/or national development. In orderly, respectable, respectful, social-welfare societies these older citizens are now treasured citizens. Still to be regarded and utilized in appropriate manner.
But here? “Old age” can begin at 55, at 60 or 65. It depends on the regulations, the convention or how some employer feels. The retired Guyanese, generally, is then made to feel “redundant” at most levels; a humbug or “loved-one” best-seen, little-heard; one whose years of service tend to be forgotten and who barely deserves the pensions usually eked out. How do younger relatives view their fore-bears? If the old folks deserve safety-nets, are there appropriate: Homes” in this caring society?
Guyana’s Elderly” Commission
Now, reflect for a few seconds on the two questions above. Then, realize that we are great on constituting commissions!
What? You’ve missed it? That we have a still-new National Commission on the Elderly?
The Social Security/Human Services Ministry recently along with the new Commission held a function with interesting themes. “Young or Old, We’re all part of the same Mould/Longevity” Shaping The Future”
The objective of the National Commission are noble, but as usual, only aspirational. Great on paper: ensuring minimum standards for Old Folks retirement Homes (Shelters); accessing public transportation, other services; advocating concessions and assistance for seniors who must use the banks, the Passport Office, legal assistance agencies and related quality-for-life support.
From the Capital to Corriverton, when I contemplate the implications and consequences of longevity here, as against the comforts of both Retirement Home and Pavement, I conclude that much more is necessary in a hurry. Sometimes too, funding is not all. WHAT SAY you who now live in societies which really CARE AND PREPARE?
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