Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 26, 2018 (SKNIS): Scores of older persons in St. Kitts gathered at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel on Thursday, October 25, 2018 for a special luncheon in their honour as a part of the month-long activities for the Month of the Older Persons. The month is being celebrated under theme, “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Social Services and Community Development, the Honourable Wendy Phipps took the opportunity to reflect on the theme for this year’s International Day of Older Persons and thanked the older persons for their service to the federation that has paved the way for others.

“I am very heartened by the cross-section of persons that have joined us today. I am glad that we have this kind of mix because it reminds of what the theme has been for the International Day of Older Persons. We honour persons who have gone before us who would have paved the way for us to enjoy some of the rights that we have today,” she stated.

While echoing the theme, the Minister noted that a lot of the basic human rights that exist today are due to the hard work of the forebears of the federation.

“The right to an education, the right to a decent standard of living, the right to get decent employment and the right to vote are some of the things we’ve grown up in the country already having, while others who are older had to work to get them,” she added.

Minister Phipps thanked the older persons for their service to the nation and also gave special mention to those who care for the older persons. She said that it is important to give recognition to those who diligently care for older persons, as it takes a lot of care and effort.

“I want to congratulate all of you, those who are older persons, as well as those who look after older persons, because we do realize that looking after seniors is not an easy task. I want to wish you a pleasant rest of the day and what is left of the Month of Older Persons,” concluded Minister Phipps.

The Month of the Older Persons activities continue on Sunday, October 28 with a Cultural Extravaganza at the St. Peters Community Centre from 3:00pm.