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09th Feburary 2010
Better caring for the elderly

Two Sundays ago, I attended the formal opening ceremony of the Johnson’s Memorial Home at the bottom of Morne Road. What an impressive ceremony it was. The grounds were filled to capacity and the home itself was overflowing with well-wishers. People of all walks of life from all over St. Lucia were joined by visitors from Martinique and Dominica to welcome this addition to the Agnes and Frances Memorial Homes run by a foundation led by Augustus Justin.
There’s an interesting story to this new home. The old building it replaced was the original home of the Johnson family. Built by their father, the late JRL Johnson, my friend Bernard Johnson (St. Lucia Cold Storage) and his brothers and sisters all grew up there. The last family member to inhabit the place was their dear mother, Marie Josephine Charlotte, who died on May 21, 2006.
The first time I visited the house was after Mrs Johnson’s funeral . Bernard gave Jimmy James (remember Jimmie’s restaurant? By the way, happy birthday, Jimmy) and I a “royal tour” and shared several stories about growing up there. I loved the place. So did Jimmy. It was old and weather-beaten, but maintained its pristine ambience atop the sloping and well-manicured grounds. Jimmy and I joined in some child’s play that afternoon: We sat facing each other at the ends of a piece of board evenly perched on a stand, “swinging” up and down – much to the amusement of head-shaking onlookers who probably felt these two big men swinging in the balcony had had one or two too many.
Bernard and his family would later decide to turn their childhood home into a home for the elderly. They linked with Justin’s foundation and two years later the old home got present new face – and its new name.
The new memorial home is splendid. Just the type of place you’d want to spend the rest of your days if your family ever decides they’ve had enough of you. (Jimmy told me he’s already seen his room. Now he’ll start to earn and save …)
 
 

Everyone was impressed.
Gus made his wealth from publishing (Lithographic Press). Bernard made his money selling chicken backs. The two philanthropists put their minds, money and property together. The result was the Agnes, Frances and Johnson Memorial Foundation.
I came upon many persons at the ceremony whose ages I may live to. I also met this friend who’d recently visited the Malgretoute Home in Soufriere and vowed that she would “never return there.” Near tears, she told me, “You should see the state of the place. It’s been neglected ever since the last government said it was building a new home in Vieux Fort. The new government did not want to implement the old government’s plan, so the old people have been left to rot at Malgretoute since the government changed.”
I knew a little bit about the relocation plan. A St. Lucian who could afford was interested in buying where Malgretoute is located to build a hotel and would finance the relocation of the old home to a new place, with a new building and modern amenities and programs for elderly care. I don’t know where that plan is now or what is this government’s plan for Malgretoute. Nor do I know whether the government is still trying to force the Cornerstone Home out of its present existence. I know that both Malgretoute and Cornerstone badly need help, but I don’t know if or when another set of Justins and Johnsons will ever emerge to give them the helping hands they need so much right now. I don’t know what will become of the abandoned elderlies at both those poor homes. But one thing I know is neither the Justins or the Johnsons will allow this latest home and its occupants to go the way of those crying out for care, attention and help.

Not this one. Awah!

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