Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 20, 2016 (SKNIS): Today (October 20), as is done for many older persons in the Federation, staff of the Department of Community Development and Social Services visited Ruby Thomas of Newtown, Basseterre, on her birthday, the date which coincided with the Distribution of Hampers by the Seventh Day Adventist School.
The Distribution of Hampers is coordinated by the Seventh Day Adventist Church and had been included in the schedule of activities held in commemoration of the Month of Older Persons, which falls during October.
At the home of Ms. Thomas on Pitcairn St., Deputy Director of Social Services, Ann Wigley, chaired a brief ceremony congratulating her for attaining 96 years of life.
“And it was so good that you were able to come to Church and get that blessing,” Mrs. Wigley said. “On behalf of the Government and people and Social Services, I wish you all the best and do hope and pray that you will make your century.”
Two students from the Seventh Day Adventist School were on hand to present the senior with her food hamper and extend birthday greetings. Social Services Home Care Officers Andria Caines and Venecia Wharton, who see to the day-to-day needs of Ms. Thomas, also attended the ceremony and presented her with a fruit basket.
In a strong voice, the 96 year old credited God for allowing her to live for so long and demonstrated that she can still do math calculations.
“Well thank the Lord for sparing my life to see I have reached this age because my mother died when she was 45,” Ms. Thomas said. “She went to get an operation and she said Ruby, I’m going to get an operation, I am 45 years old. I said to her Mom, am I going to live to come to your age? She said darling everything is in the hands of the Lord. And praise the Lord I reached it and passed it. And I am happy about it, to know that I am going hard for 100. I am 96, four more years from now, I am going to be 100.”
Mrs. Wigley acknowledged several young men in the Newtown Community of whom it was said keep a protective eye-out for Ms. Thomas.