In commemoration of the International day of older persons, The Yes We Are Winning (YWAW) team visited the Regina Mundi Home for the Elderly in Lagos, Nigeria.

The International day of older persons is a day set aside to celebrate the older persons and their contributions to the society. The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 each year.

The theme of the International Day of Older Persons 2017 is “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society.”

This year’s day is about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large. It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.

This year’s theme underscores the link between tapping the talents and contributions of older persons and achieving the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, which is currently undergoing its third review and appraisal process…

Stepping into the future with pledges that no one will be left behind, it is starkly evident that the need to tap into the often overlooked and under-appreciated contributions of older persons is not only essential to older persons’ well-being, but also imperative for sustainable development processes.

The 2017 theme will explore effective means of promoting and strengthening the participation of older persons in various aspects of social, cultural, economic and civic and political life. The YWAW team challenged the aged never to allow the thoughts of their past mistakes and failures of their youth to bring into their memories regrets, which is capable of jeopardizing their health and peace.

Through inspirational songs, and messages from both young and old, the old and feeble grandmas and grandpas were encouraged to make the best use of their age and status, since there is no age without its beauty, and there is no end to making positive impacts as long as there is life. They were urged to make good use of their remaining days because there is beauty in their wrinkles.

The oldest among the elders sang beautiful songs and admonished us to inculcate a life of love and reverential fear for God. It was heart-rending to watch the old men and women sing beautiful songs that extols the goodness of God, and reminds them of a beautiful future in paradise.

For all of us, this experience would leave an indelible mark in our lives, an d would further strengthen our resolve to continue to serve humanity.

Yes, we are winning!

Yes We Are Winning: THIS IS WHO WE ARE!

GreatMark

Reference:United Nations.   http://Visit our websites at: social.un.org/ageing | www.un.org/en/events/olderpersonsday/