Josephine Florestine Lawrence, better known as Mama Tin, is the newest centenarian on the island.
Mama Tin a resident of the community of Grand Fond celebrated 100 years on October 23rd 2015.
A celebration was held in her honour on Sunday October 25th beginning with a church service at the Grand Fond Baptiste Church followed by a birthday party.
His Excellency Charles Savarin and Mrs. Savarin, the Hon. Minister for Youth and Sports, who was Acting Minister for Social Services, Justina Charles, and the Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the Grand Fond Constituency, Ivor Stephenson were among those who joined the celebration.
His Excellency Charles Savarin congratulated the centenarian on her milestone saying that it was a special moment for him as he was brought up by his grandparents.
The Hon. Justina Charles acted as Minister for Social Services.
She added that the Yes We Care Programme envisioned by the Hon. Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit was born out of the need to take care of the senior citizens who were neglected. Government also recently introduced a $200 monthly stipend to senior citizens of pensionable age.
President of the Dominica Council on Ageing, Zetma Toussaint was elated that another centenarian was added to the elite group in Dominica. Her council continues to work hard to advocate for the rights of seniors.
For Parliamentary Representative, Ivor Stephenson it’s an honour to have the largest number of centenarians in his part of the country.
Mama Tin is best described as one who was very devoted to her community. She was an active member of several social groups, acted as a mortician up to age 92 in her community and took care of many who were sick with her bush medicines.
Mama Tin will receive $500 monthly and free cooking gas from the government of Dominica.
My Grandma has been the most loving and caring woman I have encountered .
Congratulation for the lord has honour you with long life . We love you here in St. Marteen. Please erase that neglect part on my grandma .profile she was never and will never be neglected..thank you…
It’s great to know that you do care and that such a programme exists. I’m sure Mama Tin will be happy for the extra cash none the less I have an urgency to say that MY great grandmother is very well looked after BY FAMILY abroad and in Dominica and was never and will NEVER EVER be neglected.
Congratulations to the newest Centenarian! On another note I need to know what is going on in the community of Grandfond and the Southeast. There must be some healthy tea or food – I want to live that long! Please tell me Marcus, Leandra, Nickaise!
A Happy 100th Birthday to Mama ‘Tin’ Lawrence May you continue to enjoy your years with your family and friends. God bless you!
Congratulations mama tin on this great milestone. belated birthday greetings. hoping you live to see many more.
Dominica is really blessed…her comes birthday girl Mama Tin. But on a different note DNO you have me a bit lost with the use of the term mortician in the context as reported..acted as a mortician up to age 92 in her community and took care of many who were sick with her bush medicines. The contemporary definition does not suggest such. Could you review.
It goes without saying and an explanation, she was a mortician; her work. In her private life she took care of those who were sick with her bush medicines. She made the tea for them, gave it to them to make for themselves and informed them about it and encouraged them to drink it.
I extend belated congratulations to Josephine Lawrence (Mama Tin) for her 100 birthday Oct. 23, 2015
It is a special cause for thanksgiving that this remarkable lady is still able to be up and about at such a grand age.
It may be worth noting that many – maybe most – centenarians have been busy people. Mama Tin is one of these. She live a useful and productive life with interests that touched and blessed others. It appears she is also a person of faith and has God in her life.
It is rewarding at any age to know that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior because He died to put our sins away, and rose triumphantly on the third day! Those who RECEIVE Him as their Savior become the children of God now according to St. John 1:12 and have eternal life according to 1 John 5:11,12. This adds to the quality of life now, and gives an eternal home in the presence of God.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Congratulations “Mama Tin” and the rest of the Family..Continue to offer the support and learn from all her experiences..I particularly like the Bush Medicine vibes..DA should be a haven for cultural medicine and herbal healing..Cheers!!
Bush medicines, YES!
Dominica has these. They need to be studied, developed, and made available on a grander scale.
We need more information about them. Big Pharmacy plays down their usefulness because there is not a lot of money to be made from them. But those who practice bush medicine, also known as botanical medicine or herbalism, have received their knowledge handed down from generations past not in a school. The remedies that work are the ones that have endured often for centuries. Rather than pass tests and experimentations in modern labs they have been proven by trial and error use for hundreds of years and survived!
God bless Mama Tin for her work!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Blessing Mamantin the Lord has truly fulfilled His promise to you as the Psalmist David said in in psalm:91:16 with long life will i satisfy you an show you MY salvation. You are a blessing to many you sewed seeds in so many lives you showed compassion. you offered your home to many. you have reaped what you sewed. may God continue to grant you length of days in the best of health. love to you mamantin
Happy belated b’day Mama Tin.
That is all? Come on Government, you can do better than that. Free Electricity, Free Water, Free Medical and inclusive of the $500 (For Personal) and the $200 Voucher for the Groceries. Least you can do… I don’t want to hear about a propane GAS AND $500 Alone. Please do better than this. These people are the ones who help put us where we are today and that age we hope and pray they live many more. I would like to see them as comfortable as can be…we all know they require 24 hours looking after and some of these funds go into easing the squeeze in that regard. Government should also pay for the care taker, not sure if that is being done already but that would be a plus. Thank you and God Bless Dominica AND ITS LOVELY PEOPLE.
Patriot instead of begging for more, please help,Mama tin as well
Congratulations! ! To. Mama Tin” Lawrence , and the fun loving people of Grandfond, where the longest living people come from. She, s a mothers of all mothers, cared, and dedicated her life to serving her community, and people, great life from the best place on Earth.