‘Fi wi time fi drop legs’

BUFF BAY, West Portland:

Approximately 200 senior citizens in West Portland were feted on Christmas Eve at Lynch Park in Buff Bay by West Portland Member of Parliament (MP) Daryl Vaz, who also provided them with care packages and gifts.

The senior citizens, whose ages ranged from 65 to 98 years old, were from varied communities in West Portland including the Buff Bay valley, Hope Bay valley, St Margaret’s Bay, Hart Hill, Windsor Castle, Black Hill, Orange Bay, Spring Garden, and Lennox.

The seniors, some of whom are visually impaired, otherwise physically challenged, and in most instances ailing, were transported by bus and taxi to Lynch Park, where they received a pre-Christmas meal comprised of curried goat, stewed pork, and fried chicken, along with plain rice, rice and peas, and salad.

The event was also a special one for 98-year-old Kenneth Williams, the oldest member of the group, who heaped praise on Vaz as host while giving thanks to God for not only allowing him to be at the function to revel, but for having his mental and physical faculties intact.

“At 98 years old mi still can walk, talk, hear, and read without any difficulty. And mi thankful fi dat,” Williams told The Gleaner during the function.

“Most ah my friends dem gone and some family members too. But mi still in the land of the living. Mi nuh really sick but just a little pain pop up sometime inna di old body. Mi really thank Mr Vaz for dis Christmas dinner. So if mi nuh eat nuh Christmas dinner on December 25, at least mi a have it now,” he quipped.

“But serious thing though, dis is a good thing and at least somebody is remembering di old people dem. You know most times it is about di young people, but today a fi wi time fi drop legs, sing, eat, and mingle with other old people. Thank God mi still alive to enjoy it one more time,” he concluded.

It is not the first time that the West Portland MP has hosted a pre-Christmas dinner for the elderly as, in 2009, a similar event was launched and was held annually right up to 2019, after which it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, Vaz paid homage to God for firstly seeing him safely through to another December, and for blessing him to be ably present among the senior citizens to celebrate what he described as “their special occasion and his way of giving back”.

“This is my way of recognising your efforts and contribution for Jamaica land we love. You have paved the way and charted a course for many. And today I salute you all for your efforts,” said Vaz. “I know that you have had varying professions, ranging from farming, teaching, in the medical field, law and order, civil servant, business, farm work, and other existing fields. But, most importantly, your unwavering commitment and contribution to Jamaica cannot be weighed nor measured. And many of you have stood by me over the years.

“When it comes to showing appreciation and providing assistance, I see no colour, and that is what has allowed me to enjoy an excellent relationship with the people of Portland. I want you to enjoy the food, the entertainment, and to just have a good time. I want the band to play my favourite song and I want you to sing with me this one, The Goodness of God,” he concluded.

Entertainment was provided by the Algorithm band, which performed several Christmas songs, gospel music, love songs, and vintage reggae.

editorial@gleanerjm.com