New group to care for elderly launched in Salybia

Officials at the launch of the group
Officials at the launch of the group. Photo by gov’t Press Attache

Isulukati Chrysolyte meaning Crayfish River Precious Stones is the name of a new group formed in the community of Salybia in the Kalinago Territory, with the elderly in mind.

On Wednesday June 24th an official ceremony was held to inaugurate the new group whose motto is ‘Helping the Elderly, Caring for the Needy’.

The Dominica Council on Ageing (DCOA) is the umbrella organisation for all senior citizens groups on the island.

President of the DCOA, Zetma Toussaint reiterated the Council’s drive to raise awareness about the abuse of the elderly.

She presented President of Chrysolyte, Linda Auguiste with a Certificate of Affiliation from the DCOA and words of encouragement for the new group.

“As a newly-founded group in your community, you must endeavour to embrace all seniors whether or not they belong to your group. You must welcome all older persons regardless of age, sex, political or religious affiliations,” Toussaint began. “You must demonstrate a caring attitude to all who you encounter. You have to be the advocate for all the elders especially the poor, needy and neglected ones.”

Parliamentary Representative for the Kalinago Territory, Casius Darroux also witnessed the inauguration ceremony.

The Hon. Parliamentary Representative listed a number of projects initiated by Government which benefit the elderly in the Territory.

These include housing, care, sanitation programme and the recently initiated $200 monthly stipend for pensioners.

Hon. Darroux said between the Yes We Care and the National Employment Programmes, 41 senior citizens are being cared for in the territory.

He encouraged members of the group to identify additional needy senior citizens to include in Yes We Care Programme.

He spoke of other areas that need tending as it relates seniors.

“It is our intention in the Ministry to work closely with all groups but most importantly with our local leader the Kalinago Chief and Council to ensure that our senior citizens are well taken care of. We need to ensure that they all have access to pipe-borne water, electricity and cooking gas.”

Minister Darroux referenced a Dominica/Guadeloupe Associating which is being engaged to provide technical support to persons whose calling is to care for the elderly. He named physiotherapy as part of that support.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs and also of Carib Affairs, Sylvanie Burton also spoke to the group at the ceremony.

She said, “Training for your members is of paramount importance to the success of the work you will do. Avail yourselves to every opportunity for training.”

The group is 21 members strong and is the fifth group organised to care for the elderly in the Kalinago Territory.

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14 Comments

  1. concerned Dominican
    June 30, 2015

    Well i am pretty sure that the chief spoke, he was included early in the programme, but as demonstrated in the past in the government eyes he dose not exist, the same thing went on at the late presidents funeral he was not recognized neither the bishop nor Mr Registe
    We are very observant and have noticed that black people are still discriminating against the indigenous people when they met these people there
    I have noticed further that people in top position do not recognize the protocol stature of the Carib kalinago chief, first it is the president, then the prime minister and next comes the kalinago chief but in today’s society they want to recognize all cats and dogs before the chief, especially in this present administration
    have you people come to realize that we came here as slaves to work on the plantations while the indigenous people had their chief in place long before our arrival in the Caribbean, please give the people and their chief the respect that they deserve.

  2. Merlot
    June 30, 2015

    This is wonderful!! I am always happy to see provisions made for the care of the island’s elderly. Please let this continue and please extend the services to other villages. It’ll be a tremendous help! Too many are without the most basic of care.. God bless all the participants in this venture!

  3. Me
    June 30, 2015

    A certificate of affiliation? Well that is great.
    That is definitely going to help wipe an old person’s bottom.

  4. Titiwi
    June 30, 2015

    What’s up Hon. Darroux? The Yes We Care Programme not working for you all?

  5. Tampa
    June 30, 2015

    GIS, I have to trust you and believe that the Kalinago Chief was just seated at the table but did not utter a word. I am sure that a professional organization like you, GIS would have included a quote from each speaker and more importantly the Kalinago Chief. Am I wrong in my assumption? I would hope that professionals that you are you would no go into the Kalinago Territory and show such disrespect to the Chief.

    • Chrusolite
      June 30, 2015

      The Chief did not say anything!

    • Pimp
      July 1, 2015

      The Kalinago Chief is always trying to embarrass the Government so we have deliberately decided not to invite him to some of our functions and when we do, he will not speak! Period.

      • Titiwi
        July 1, 2015

        Spoken like a true pimp.

      • terrific
        July 1, 2015

        well excuse me……i am a proud member of this group and can say proudly that mr williams did give a speech and a great one for that matter .

  6. truth
    June 30, 2015

    The Kalinago Chief had nothing to say or it was not reported. For he is in the photo around the table.

    • Titiwi
      June 30, 2015

      Well, don’t expect common courtesy from GIS. I noticed the same thing at the funeral of our late President. The bishop had the decency to welcome the leader of the opposition but they were omitted from Ed Gegiste’s address, which must have been scripted (…more like vetted) for him. nor did the cameras ever pan in on them. Some people would not know courtesy if the bumped into in the street. Small minded people, that call themselves reporters.

      • Ray Charles
        June 30, 2015

        Go do your research to find out whether or not the opposition leader was in attendance.

      • The Real Facts
        June 30, 2015

        The pot always calls the kettle black. People as you never cease to be negative. You love to criticize and are always seeking to do so. What type of person are you?

      • Titiwi
        June 30, 2015

        Ray Charles, read my lips. The Bishop of Roseau no less acknowledged the presence of the leader of the opposition and his wife in the church in Grandbay.

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