Senior citizens of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will now have a common space to relax, socialise and be cared for as the first senior citizens centre has been commissioned in the town.
The building, located at Beverley Hills Drive, was constructed by the Lethem Mayor and Town Council at the cost of $3 million.
The building was constructed with the intention of having a space where seniors can be educated about health, fitness, diet and wellbeing, Mayor of Lethem John Macedo, said at the commissioning on Sunday.
Macedo highlighted that senior citizens are often left in solitude and therefore hopes the facility will become a place where they can socialise with their peers.
He also hopes to provide services such as pedicures and manicures at the facility, and intends to collaborate with different organisations to provide other services such as health check-ups.
“The foundation upon which we are now building came from the seniors, they set the foundation for the development of this town and Guyana. It is only right and only fitting that we look out for the ones who set the foundation upon which we will continue building,” Macedo said.
Ms. King, a resident of central Lethem who battled the rain to be present at the commissioning, told the News Room that the senior citizens centre is “very good” for the elderly folks in the community.
“It is very, very good for the old people, they could come and do their therapy and whatever, you know. It is nice,” she said.
While offering brief remarks at the commissioning, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall pledged that other agencies of the government will partner with the Lethem Town Council to provide more services at the centre.
