By Vanessa Braithwaite

THE elderly members of the Golden Age Club in Linden sang, danced and dined on Wednesday as the club celebrated its 19th anniversary.Dressed in yellow, which represents freshness, happiness, positivity, and energy, the members embraced each other in recognition of the inevitability of old age.

Love and laughter permeated the atmosphere, and even as the frail and visually-impaired entered the room, they were given a hearty welcome by their fellow club members.

In Pastor Selwyn Sills’s short word of encouragement to the senior citizens, he reminded that they are still fruit bearers and cannot afford for the younger ones to count them out. He said they are very much needed by this country, as they are in possession of experience and wisdom. Seniors, he said, are patient, humble and wise.

“You still have fruit that is needed with juice so stop condemning yourself. Stop writing off yourself, and don’t let anybody count you out, because there is still fruit on the tree,” he affirmed.

Club President Pauline Melville said it was a real joy to see the club meet the age of 19, and even though the club has lost several members to the sting of death over the past couple months, the members are not despondent.

Melville said the members meet every Wednesday to engage in several activities, such as craft work, culinary and cultural activities. Members also go on yearly tours to various parts of the country, the latest being last month’s Giftland Mall tour.

The club members meet at the Dorfolk Elderly Home, which has been in existence for the past 25 years but is currently in a deplorable condition even as one 90-year-old member resides there.

Melville said the club is begging for donations, and is trying to secure some to renovate the home.

Pastor Selwyn Sills said an overseas-based Guyanese has expressed interest in funding the renovation, and he is hoping that this will be done soon.
The Church of the Latter-Day Saints has promised to paint the building, but there are much needed repairs to be done prior to that.

The Dorfolk home has been used to shelter elderly persons in the community who have nowhere to live.