Treat the elderly with love and respect - Social Center Chief

The population of Limbe has been urged to love and respect the elderly and treat them with dignity, due to their contribution to society.

This message was echoed recently at the premises of the victoria Gals Center Limbe, by the representative of the Chief of Social Center, during celebrations to mark the 24th edition of the international day of the elderly, themed Longevity, shaping the future, Living no one behind, promote a society for all.

Welcoming all who turned up for the event, the president of the association, Hon Gwendoline Burnley, appreciated all, especially the men who came to support them.

The representative of the chief of social center, Ngole Philomen said the day of the elderly is set aside to sensitize the population on the plight and challenges faced by a great majority of the elderly and urged that they must be treated with love and respect for their contribution to nation building. “They are good source of history, epitome of hard work, discipline and morality. They must not be despised and neglected”.

She emphasised that the elderly remain a source of inspiration and wisdom, have rich experience and a guide to the youths and thus, all negative tags attached to them must be completely wiped out.

Ngole philomen said aging is a privilege and a blessing of God and mentioned that the government is making efforts to support the elderly, but it remains the responsibility of all.

The celebration also witnessed interventions from a number of elderly, with most of it centering on the fact that the elderly too should be friendly with everyone, especially little children, a talk on the EBOLA Virus, donations etc.

According to the Vice President of the association, Victoria Ndumbe “We want all the elderly people to join this group, whether Bakwerians or not, it’s a home for all the elderly. We have been trying to bring them in, but it seems as if they don’t understand the movement, we are just here to relax and enjoy ourselves, so we call on every elderly person to be a member of this center”.

The Victoria Gals Movement was formed in 1995 and it is a group which bonds the elderly as they grow older. The Center is open every week day, to persons above 60 years of age, serving as a relaxation ground for them, with devotion, indoor games, newspapers, books and TV programmes to enjoy.