Senior Biz Social Enterprise International

Senior citizens are a reservoir of talents, expertise and skills most of which are becoming extinct. 

If I am selected as a winner I would use the prize money to fulfill a lifelong desire of enabling and empowering senior citizens in my country, the Caribbean and the world to maximize their full potential and to continue to contribute significantly to their families, community, country and the world. I would create a platform for senior citizens to showcase their skills, talents and expertise in various areas such as agriculture, art, craft, culinary skills with intergenerational aspects to promote skill and value exchange and cultural preservation. Structured projects/ programmes would be implemented to enable sustainable income generation for these persons in a REAL (Relaxed Earning and Learning) Time setting with the use of technology while building their capacity.

Passionate and driven, I have a passion for changing the perception of other regarding senior citizens worldwide. They have been seen as a burden and not a resource. I strongly believed they are an untapped resource and that if they are provided with the necessary support can make a difference and a long lasting impact. I have worked in the social service setting for 21 years and I strongly believe that I can do so much more and reach out to more persons in my country, across the Caribbean and the world. With the ongoing pandemic the SDG goals have been highlighted and vital for this vulnerable group especially relating to food security, inclusion and income generation which are imperative and this is the opportune time to fulfill this mandate. I have met some of the most talented, creative, resourceful, independent, committed and resilient senior citizens which I believe is just a fraction of other seniors across the Caribbean and the world. These sills need to be highlighted and the seniors awarded an equal opportunity to show the world their worth and their value to society.

A major concern at this time worldwide is food security. Over the years senior citizens have traditional methods of operating that has resulted in their returns being less than their potential. Senior citizens need to be included in instances of development and provided with resources for this to be a reality. Investments are needed for these persons to be able to secure their food and to facilitate engagements in the agricultural sector.

Craft and culture is not recognized or given the attention nor respect especially by the younger generation. This is vital for cultural preservation and retention. Seniors would be given a chance to engage the younger generation in various ways to preserve the culture of their nation and to help them to have a greater appreciation of their seniors and their culture.

 There are projects worldwide targeting mainly the youth for food security. Seniors citizens will be provided with "senior friendly" ongoing training, visits will be conducted and after careful assessment they will be assisted by agriculture students and experts in the area they need help in (poultry rearing, layers, farming, etc.). Technology will play a vital part in these projects to relay and receive training, dissemination of information, guidance and support while they are in the comfort of their place of residence. Demonstrations will be done at select locations where training will be done and they duplicate what they have learnt in their own space while passing on the information to others.

This will be similar in areas of craft, arts and culinary arts. Younger professionals will be screened and dispatched to provide support for training support, sustainable projects. promotion and sales (expos, fairs, holiday sales, etc.)

There will be a charity aspects where proceeds will be shared with other seniors and the younger generation.

As stated earlier, our seniors have been seen over the years as a burden and not as a resource. This perception leads to abuse, low self esteem and a feeling of inadequacy which is unfair. If these inert talents are identified and tapped into will preserve mental health, family support and strengthening, capacity building and community development.

 Through interaction in several settings senior citizens are identified, engaged and given an opportunity to learn and share their skills and talents. They are encouraged, treated with dignity and respect. Interviews are conducted, visits are conducted and based on information received the need for this type of initiative is greatly needed. In turn I share  necessary information and provide guidance given on how they can learn a skill, earn a skill or share their skill. Networking is done to identify and source the needed support (tools, resources, support, training exposure, etc.) When this is done their perceptions are changed and they feel empowered to do more and help others to come into contact with the same support and resources.

Their stories will be shared to empower others and their work highlighted to instill hope and a sense of pride