A Christmas luncheon for senior citizens in St Michael North transformed into a platform for national reflection on Sunday as Member of Parliament Davidson Ishmael issued a compelling appeal for Barbadians to revitalize their commitment to elderly care. The event, held at Soroptimist Senior Citizens Village in Eden Lodge, served approximately 150 attendees with more expected throughout the afternoon.
Addressing the gathering, Ishmael articulated a dual purpose behind the festive occasion: both celebrating seniors as foundational nation-builders and sounding an alarm about deteriorating social values. “We have focused primarily on our senior citizens because we believe that they are our nation’s builders,” Ishmael stated, emphasizing their decades of service and sacrifice in developing contemporary Barbados.
The parliamentarian delivered a sobering assessment of changing community dynamics, noting a discernible decline in Barbados’ traditional culture of mutual care. “Unfortunately over the years we’ve witnessed a deterioration in the caring spirit we once cherished, where communities actively looked after elderly residents,” he observed, characterizing this shift as a concerning social regression.
Ishmael’s message transcended seasonal goodwill, framing elderly care as a year-round national priority. “Recognition must be matched by action,” he insisted, urging citizens to honor seniors through practical support rather than mere ceremony. The MP specifically cautioned against abandonment and preventable suffering, advocating for comprehensive care regardless of residential setting.
Organized by the St Michael North branch team, the luncheon represented both gratitude and symbolic restitution. Ishmael described the event as “a little bit back to constituents,” particularly acknowledging seniors’ historical contributions. He envisioned the Christmas season as an opportunity for intergenerational solidarity that might inspire lasting behavioral change across Barbadian society.