We often complain about the “kids of today”. Nothing they do is ever good enough. They are badly brought up or in local dialect “malélivé;” they are disrespectful, careless and the list goes on. We are so quick to point out the negative without taking time to instill positive values into the future generation.
Today Thursday) I woke up and decided that I wanted to teach my 10 year old cousin a valuable lesson: to appreciate the elderly. We walked down the street to clean in front of the house of a 93-year-old woman, Ma Samson, affectionately called Maymie. There were overgrown weeds and plants; the drain was blocked with stones and other debris.
Armed with gloves and a cutlass we began to take on the task. It wasn’t long before two curious nine-year-old boys began pacing up and down. When asked if they wanted to help, they reluctantly said yes. However, once they began working they were more than enthusiastic. Observing what we were doing, another elderly woman asked if we could also clean in front of her house.
Born during World War I, the 92 and 93 year old neighbours, who both live alone, were grateful to see the children helping out. When asked her age, Ma Pond yelled proudly: “I am 92 years old, I was born on August 8th 1918!”
Pond, the wife of the late W. O. M Pond, composer of the lyrics of our national anthem, bestowed blessings on the children. Her eyes gleamed with joy as she expressed how thankful she was. “When I sit in my porch the water in the drain does not flow and it looks and smells bad,” she continued, “it looks so much better, thank you children. ”
It really does take just one to make a change because, shortly afterwards, we were joined by six more adults! Together we trimmed branches off trees, trimmed hedges, cleaned the drains, and swept the road in front of Ma Pond’s and Ma Samson’s houses.
I would like to say thank you and hats off to the three hardworking children Orlannice St. Rose, Stefan Blaize and Stefen Blaize for their contribution this Community Day of Service.
Thanks to the adults who came to join and showed the children that even as kids they CAN be leaders.
yes I!!positives run tings!hey tammy,u large!
I think this is admirable.Young people are the future of any nation and they need to be directed and given an opportunity.Tamara good luck and keep it up.
Dr. Augustine good job and you are a person who can do several jobs which is a joy to the eldery most of all. Congrats to the youth and keep up the good work you never know where this can take you in life. I am proud to be from Loubiere.
Tam’s you in the spot light. Good job- Keep it up!!!
@Naomi: ,
It is nice to see Community spirit is coming back, well done to those who took part in cleaning up their community and helping the elderly,
Someone please start up a book club, where the youngsters go once a week and read to the elderly, especially those who cannot read, have sight problems and or is house bound. if you all are in need of books, please let me know, send me a message via face book, alternatively [email protected]
I must commend the young people for getting involved. well done and keep up that spirit of taking care of each other especially those who are unable to.
Job well done. Something positive for Loubiere.
well done god bless.
This is beautifull. Good to see the people working together to clean and beautify the place.
It reminds me of my days as a national youth worker there.
Great job oneand all Keep up the good work
Well
done.
very inspirational!! proud of the youths! keep up the good work; you do good and it will follow you through out your lives.
This is positive vibration!! Keep up the good work Tamara, Orlannice, Stefan and Stefen. You give true meaning to the word service. This year’s community service has brought much needed love and creativity from our youth and has demonstrated that it’s not all about cement, sand, blocks and stones. Big up to Wesley S.O.U.L Crew aalso. Your effort was also noticed and appreciated. Thanks to all those whose contributions could not have been publicized. We love all of you; patriots of Dominica.
I remember those community Day of service days!! I am very excited to see Loubiere on the news for doing great work particularly for the Elderly. I think most young men and women in Loubiere go out of their way to assist the older persons, and that is because ofthe good examples we god from our Parents and other Adults in the community. Ma pond and maymie look like they have another 100 years to live such bright eyes of Hope!! Blessings on all of you !!
jesus loves the little children..this is a wake up call to our government .her husband play a vital part in our independent and what are we doing for his widow?
Hats oof to the children and the adults who assisted in such gesture we must look out for the seniors because they made us what we are today. Thanks to all of you all
That was a really good thing you guys did for these elderly ladies.. This is the kind of attitude that I think will change the course that the future generation is currently on.. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Hats off to you Tammie and my girl Orlannice, not forgetting Stefan x’s2, nice job you guys….auntie maymie looks so nice, ma pond also
I am proud of you Tamara, my DGS classmate. keep up the good work.
dominica youth has a national pride,that gives me grate hope.only if they could apply that to their daily lives,oh the future would be bright.
All is not lost for our young…many times those who criticize them have never contributed to their position development…we all need to learn from ms augustine’s initiative…and realize we have to do for ourselves and each other and not wait for the government to do everything…
Service to humanity is indeed the best work of live.
Great work!!! You are an inspiration to all.
nuff respect
THIS IS MUSIC TO MY EYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leading by example. I was touched to read this story and speak proudly of this special day to non-Dominicans in the UK who are surprised that this happends
Marvellous,,,,, really touch me,,,
Way to go Tami, Orlannice, Stefen & Stefan!! Very Inspiritional story.
Dr. Augustine I see you making a difference in more ways than one. Keep up the good work and the love for this beautiful island..
hey nel i see ur twine boys doing great thing. jah go bless them. i will save that artice to show them at a later date. patay yuo jimmooo!!
Must congratulate Miss Augustine and the young persons who did such a wonderful and marvelous job. Certainly we can all take a page from their book. Did not know that the wife of Mr. Pond was still around, not wanting to be critical, I think that that Lady should be well taken care of by those in authority.
I mean that her needs should be adequately looked after because of the contribution of her late husband.
Great job Tammy, a good deed goes a long way. Ma Pond looks good @ 92
When it is good we must say it is good. Well done, job well done.
im so proud of u all
i am so blessed by just reading this, Thanks to the young lady who took the initiative, continue to encourage and teach our young ones. And a big thank you to the young ones – Heaven is smiling down on you all. God bless you. Thanks to all who made the elderly feel special and love. True community service
@Patriot: meant to say “daily lives.”
Tamara you and the kids are a throw back to the Dominica that nurtured me. I hope your story will help inspire a renewed sense of voluntarism that has been so lost in our country. It has unfortunately been replaced by the tribal partisan politics that seem to consume of our daily loves.
good job kids its good to see that you guys got involved in something positive rather than something negative keep it up, may blessings flow on you guys.
THATS WAT AM TALKING ABOUT WE NEED TO INSTALL MORE OF THESE POSITIVE MOVEMENTS INTO OUR CHILDREN LETS EACH ONE REACH ONE.
iI enjoyed the gesture,as I was not aware that Mrs. Pond was still alive. Thank you too all especially the children. All for each and each for all, well placed.