It Has Been a Long Journey: CCRP Jamaica’s Living Legacy Awards 2015

May 19th, 2015

“It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; and to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving.”

Dr. Badih Shoucair, O.D., the recipient of a CCRP Jamaica Living Legacy Award, used these words from “The Prophet,” by Kahlil Gibran (which happens to be on my Goodreads all-time favorites list, with five stars) to describe his philosophy of life. Like Dr. Shoucair, Gibran was born in Lebanon, but lived most of his life abroad. At the age of 92, Dr. Shoucair keeps on giving.

It was a warm April afternoon. The drought was setting in, and many of those gathered for the awards ceremony preferred to sit quietly in some cool air-conditioning rather than in the bright courtyard at Devon House. This was the Fifth Anniversary of the Living Legacy Awards, presented each year by the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) – a remarkable non-profit organization that has been making rapid strides since businesswoman and philanthropist Jean Lowrie-Chin founded it in 2009. In just six years, its membership has grown to over 1,400 Jamaicans over the age of fifty – including, I might add, my husband and myself. I know, for sure, that CCRP has enriched many people’s lives in meaningful and practical ways. Chaired by the high-profile public health specialist Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, it also has a voice, speaking out on key issues affecting Jamaica’s senior citizens.

A woman with a strong and independent mind, Syringa Marshall-Burnett served as Senate Head from 1995-2007 and was responsible for the establishment of a university-based nursing program in Jamaica.

Chair of the Awards Committee Vilma McDonald outlined the distinct criteria for the Awards; members nominate the recipients, and this year there were five. Ms. Merel Hanson, O.D., a former President of the Nurses’ Association of Jamaica who has represented Jamaican nurses on the international stage, looked a little shy as her citation was read out for a special award.

Ms. Merel Hanson listens to her citation being read out. (My photo)

This was the Inaugural Syringa Marshall-Burnett Award (in memory of the remarkable, much loved founding director of CCRP, who passed away late last year). “I keep Syringa every day in my mind and my heart,” said Ms. Hanson, a close friend. “We were together from 1954 until she died in 2014.”

“Once you’re healthy and can move about, it’s good to make people happy. I find it’s good to share…good to care,” said Beverly Hall-Taylor, O.D., J.P., the former Executive Director of the National Council for Senior Citizens. A dedicated teacher, who also served as Poor Relief Officer for a number of years, Ms. Hall-Taylor is a champion for Jamaica’s aging population. She not only continues to serve that population (and children in need) in her Old Harbour community, but she firmly believes that “old people” have much more to offer today’s society than they are given credit for. How true!

Ambassador K.G. Anthony Hill, C.D., looks very distinguished. Like all the recipients, he is not about to retire quietly into the shadows any time soon. The experienced diplomat is currently working with another former awardee, Professor Anthony Chen, to highlight issues of climate change and promote renewable energy in Jamaica. Incidentally, Professor Eldemire has written a paper on climate change and our aging population. “Is it time to consider a National Retirement Service?” asked Ambassador Hill. The idea of a cadre of Jamaicans, with a wealth of experience, actively engaged in public life, is a thought that deserves some inspection.

Ken Jones is one of my favorite Jamaicans: thoughtful, feisty, argumentative, and above all in love with his country and its people. (My photo)

Ken Jones, C.D., J.P. has been involved in the media for 68 years, starting off in 1947 as a sports writer for the “Jamaica Daily Express.” With his usual steely wit and humor, Mr. Jones (who, by the way, has written two wonderful books on National Hero Marcus Garvey) recounted his busy career in communications. His advice to Jamaicans young and old is: “Do what you can to improve the present.” Don’t live in the past or worry about the future. Just do what you can, right here and now.

Dr. Shoucair is ninety two years old and still working. Standing straight-backed, although a little frail on his feet when walking, he is completely dedicated – not only to medicine, but to serving others. Throughout his career (he does not see it as a career, but as a vocation, and the love of his life) he has served less fortunate Jamaicans, often providing free medical care to Kingston residents in areas like Grants Pen and Chambers Lane. His simple compassion brought tears to my eyes. Members of his family, who attended, reminded him to smile for the camera. I think he was so overwhelmed by the occasion that he forgot. The smile was worth waiting for.

I met singer/songwriter Ernie Smith and his wife Janet, just before the awards ceremony, and took this photo of them. I will not call Ernie a “veteran,” because his songs are as fresh and relevant as they ever were, and his voice still rich and deep. The event ended with a medley of songs from Ernie that had everyone singing, swaying…and dancing.

Now, here’s just a final thought. There is no shame or embarrassment in growing old. It happens to us all; it is our human condition. We can complain about it, tally our aches and pains and our stress. Or we can acknowledge our advancing age with grace, embrace it, be thankful that we have reached this stage in our lives – and enjoy it. In fact, as the Living Legacy Awards have done, we can celebrate our lives and those of others, who have given so much – the “open-handed” Jamaicans. At the same time, we can inspire, guide and love the younger Jamaicans, growing up in this difficult world.

Here are just a few eloquent words spoken by Professor Emeritus Edward Baugh, on behalf of the awardees in 2012, which Ambassador Hill quoted last month:

We shall wear the honour modestly and soberly, because we know that we are not exclusive, but only representative of those many others who could also easily have been applauded today, were it not for the constraint of numbers, or for the fact that their work has been done outside of the limelight. We thank them too, nameable or nameless.

Congratulations to all the awardees, and to CCRP and its members for continuing to uplift and inspire us all. And to all those “outside of the limelight.”

Recipients of the 2015 Caribbean Community for Retired Persons (CCRP) Jamaica Living Legacy Awards celebrate with board representatives after the awards presentation last week. From left: Jean Lowrie-Chin, founder/director, CCRP; Merel Hanson; Dr Badih Shoucair; Beverly Hall-Taylor; Ambassador K G Anthony Hill; Ken Jones; and Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, chairman, CCRP.