Senior citizens awarded for contributions to society
This morning over twenty seenagers from all across the country were recognised for their contributions to society in the ceremony called the Golden Heroes Award. The event was hosted by the National Council on Ageing, which had been encouraging people in various communities, families, and friends to nominate deserving individuals. Today, eleven of those nominees were crowned Golden Heroes and awarded plaques.
Lindy Jeffrey, Executive Dir., National Council on Ageing
“We recognize that there are so many older people in the country that have contributed their time and their service to many worthy causes and they have done it with sacrifice, with no thanks and we just felt that we needed to honour these people.”
Nominator
“She is one of the pioneering members of Voice in the Orange Walk District. She retired from the teaching profession and continued to assist the Santa Teresa pre-school in Orange Walk up until June 2008.”
Arcadia Carillo, Golden Hero, Orange Walk
“You young people, I would like to advise you to appreciate the old people, whether they are neighbours, whether they are friends or they are family because one day you will get old.”
Julio Alvarado, Golden Hero, Benque [Via Translator
“I thank God first of all for allowing me to receive this wonderful recognition for all the special activities I have done during my life. When one receives an award, it may be one that’s as simple as to appreciate it because it is an incentive to do better in the society, the nation and country.”
Nominator
“She retired and relocated home to Dangriga, took in a nine year old boy from the streets of Dangriga and raised and put him through high school. Now that young man has joined the B.D.F. She took in a four year old. She is now in High school in Dangriga. She started volunteering at Southern Regional hospital twelve years ago and she continues.”
Martha Hill, Golden Hero, Dangriga
“I encourage other senior youths as myself to let us volunteer in our community. I do all this for the love of my community and the country, thank you so much and God bless.”
Nominator
“In building Belize and building the world, they have influenced thousands of international travelers that came to their door, they have been a world capital at the little house that Mr. Vega has built. He was a founder and benefactor of Northern Fisherman’s Cooperative.”
Israel Alpuche, VOICE Corozal
“She was an active member of the Methodist Church. She also was an active member and founder of the Red Cross.”
Elfrida Moguel, Golden Hero, Corozal
“We have worked hand in hand together. Together we make life; he on one end and I on the other end.”
Hector Silva,
“He is a founding member of the Belmopan community and was among the first to migrate to Belmopan in 1970. When the government offices were transferred to Belmopan, Justo was one of those first pioneers. He has served as a permanent secretary—he was my personal permanent secretary for many years within the Ministry of Health, Home Affairs, Social Development Cooperative and Sports.”
Justo Castillo, Golden Hero, Belmopan
“The first golden citizens I ever had in my life were my parents, Justo and Marcelina Castillo… they are the ones responsible for what I am today. They were my roots and without roots the trees cannot grow.”
Lucia Ellis, Daughter of Godsman Ellis
“He was the first to start the agricultural show—at that time it was in San Ignacio, Cayo—and he was also the one to lead the team that brought it to the present Agricultural Show Grounds in Belmopan. He was the first principal of the college of agriculture, which is now an extension of UB. He was the first manager of the banana industry down south. He was very active in getting the National Garifuna Council going.”
Godsman Ellis, Golden Hero, San Ignacio
“I am really happy that more people know about what I did, what we did in this respect. I do not feel that this is the end and there is more I can do with the little experience I have to share with everybody.”
Lindy Jeffrey
“So often older people are forgotten, but we don’t believe that, we want to bring them to the forefront and by honoring them we want people to recognize exactly what they contributed over the years. Sometimes that’s lacking, the volunteerism in the country is lacking but maybe this will posture a new kind of initiative with younger people who see that the older people have done it and are still doing it and maybe they can emulate them in some way.”
The Golden Hero in Punta Gorda was Camille Bonnell, who has worked tirelessly for women’s development in that district. She was unable to make it to today’s ceremony and so her plaque was picked up by her niece and granddaughter. Posthumous awards went veteran educators, Sr. Marilyn Panton and Dr. Sadie Vernon, while a surprised Governor General Sir Colville Young was bestowed with a Special Golden Hero award for his work in promoting the sports and arts. Eleven other nominees received certificates. According to Executive Director at NCA, Lindy Jeffery, there are plans to have another award in October for Older Persons Week after which it will become an annual event.
