Hermena Winifred Goodwin surrounded by well-wishers and dignitaries at her centenarian celebration ceremony
Antigua and Barbuda is set to honor its remarkable centenarians during the 9th Annual Centenarian Week, scheduled from today June 7 to 13, 2025.
Organised by the Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Division under the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, this week-long celebration aims to recognize the extraordinary contributions of individuals who have reached the impressive milestone of 100 years and beyond.
Currently, the twin-island nation is home to 11 living centenarians, eight women and three men. Among them is Ms. Hermina Celestine Joseph from Jonas Road, who recently celebrated her 104th birthday. Their inspiring stories of resilience and perseverance serve as beacons of hope for all generations, highlighting the importance of community spirit in shaping lives.
*Celebration Highlights:*
The week will kick off on Saturday, June 7, with a Day of Prayer dedicated to worshippers and includes official messages and interviews. Subsequent days will feature a series of events, including:
From June 8 to June 13, various activities were held to honor centenarians. The week began with continued tributes and prayers for them, followed by a media blitz on June 9 that featured personal stories highlighting their lives.
On June 10, there was visitation and the distribution of gift baskets to centenarians, which continued the next day. June 12 was designated as Volunteerism Day, where Youth Ambassadors and Division officers engaged in service activities.
The week culminated on June 13 with a Bake Sale Fundraiser, where items were sold for $10 to support projects benefiting centenarians. This series of events aimed to celebrate and honor their legacy.
In a bid to ensure that their legacies are forever remembered, individual signboards will be erected in the communities of the centenarians.
Additionally, prominent billboards will be displayed across the island, including locations near the YMCA and V.C. Bird International Airport, welcoming visitors with powerful stories of strength and longevity. Electronic billboards along major roads will further celebrate these national treasures.
The Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Division remains dedicated to supporting local centenarians through various projects. This year’s festivities are made possible through collaborations with the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, the Office of the Governor General, local sponsors, community groups, and dedicated staff.
The public is encouraged to participate in the celebrations and recognize the invaluable contributions of these centenarians, who embody the spirit, history, and culture of Antigua and Barbuda.
Such a beautiful way to honour our elders. These individuals helped build the foundation of our nation
Bake sale is nice, but the government should be funding elder care properly. These folks deserve more than charity. They’ve done years of community service!
We must do more to preserve these elderly people in Antigua and Barbuda. By that I mean we can preserve their diets but documenting it. We can preserve their culture. It would be good for the next generation.
Its always a good thing to shed some light on the elderly in our society. Some of us wish we still had our grandparents around to talk to
The elderly in Antigua and Barbuda is the one who build the foundation of our country. We should look out for their well being not just when they are 100 years but from the age of 80 years old. Some of them don’t have family or their families not looking after them properly. The country need to have a place where they go and socialize with othe