leela_ramdeen@hotmail.com

www.rcsocialjusticett.org

Living life to the fullest

• Cherish our senior citizens.
• Tribute to two outstanding peo-ple.

At a dinner to mark Auntie Sheila Horsham’s 87th birthday, I urged her to continue to walk with God as she embraces old age.

Auntie Sheila is a dignified, warm, loving woman who continues to commit herself to her family and her community. God has honoured her with extraordinary gifts, including a generous spirit. She has used them well over the years.

And then there is dear Auntie Mary Pemberton who delivered most of my parents’ seven children. She is godmother to four of my siblings. She is another phenomenal daughter of the soil, an upright, no-nonsense woman who at 91 is still going “strong.”

When I arrived at her home recently to take her to lunch, I could not help but smile at the way in which she greeted me. I can still see her in her candy-pink polka dot blouse and white skirt as she twirled around to model her outfit for me. We went to Mass in Chaguanas, chatted with Fr Asing after and proceeded to her favourite restaurant for a wonderful meal.

It was Winston Churchill who said: “There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human society, are created, strengthened and maintained.”

These two women of faith have succeeded in working with their husbands to build strong families who contribute much to society. In a world in which family life is being eroded daily, they are to be commended for their sterling efforts in this regard.

We must see old age as a gift, cherish senior citizens in our communities, and build more opportunities to promote inter-generational relationships/solidarity in our communities.

On a lighter note, here are some pre-schoolers’ thoughts on aging: “My grandfather has white hair and scribble scrabble on his hands.” “They get smushy skin.” “First they start smooth and ...then they get pruney.”

Don’t worry about the wrinkles. Mark Twain said: “Wrinkles merely indicate where smiles have been.”

I hope that health and vitality allow our senior citizens time to pack more into life. Christmas is coming. Show love for your neighbour by ensuring that all senior citizens in your community are not alone or in need. Share our generous T&T spirit with them throughout the year.

I wish to pay tribute to my friends, Pamela Singh and her late husband Jerry Parthab Singh, two of the most decent people I have had the honour to know; two people of deep abiding faith, integrity, love for family life, and love for neighbour.

Pam was born in Trinidad and Jerry in Guyana. They migrated to London many years ago. Pam was awarded an OBE in 2005 for her outstanding service to primary school education and to the community.

Pam’s parish priest, Fr Michael, said: “This award is a fitting tribute to an exemplary life of dedication to education, both at a local and national level; she is a gifted educator and leader.”

In 2004 Pam retired as headteacher of Pope John RC Primary School in Shepherds Bush, London, after leading that school for 15 years. At a Mass to mark her retirement, she was presented with a special medal from Pope John Paul II—Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice—for her sterling work for the Catholic Church.

In 2003 Pam’s school was inspected by the Office for Standards in Education, which said in its overall evaluation: “This is an excellent school. The inspirational leadership of the headteacher is a significant aid to achievement. The school gives excellent value for money.”

The inspection report (see Internet) offers a good guide as to what leadership and excellence in education is all about.

Pam now works as consultant adviser (school improvement) with Westminster RC Diocese Education Service. I first met her when I worked with the Inner London Education Authority. We also sat on a committee established by the late Cardinal Hume to produce guidelines for schools as a way of combatting racism and promoting inter-ethnic respect.

I met her husband Jerry when he worked in an advisory capacity with the team of School/College Inspectors of which I was a member. Sadly, Jerry passed away in May.

Pam says: “Jerry was a man of intellect; a peaceful and just person. In our 46 years together, there was a deep love built on mutual respect. Amidst all the ‘trials’ of the 60s, we achieved our goals and always had time to encourage and support others to do well. I hope to establish a Jerry Singh Memorial Fund to support a law student who, like Jerry, would love the law and be able to support others. Jerry was a ‘one in a million’ human being who lived the gospel daily.”

Jerry is featured in Vidur Dindayal’s book titled Guyanese Achievers in the UK. His account highlights the fact that Jerry made a significant contribution to humanity; he was a good man who lived life to the fullest.

The following are just a few of the areas in which he was involved: he was a lawyer, district chairman of the Social Security Tribunal (equivalent to a Crown Court judge), chairman of the Registered Homes Tribunal of England and Wales, Commissioner of Taxes, Deputy Commissioner of Appeals, and a member of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Appointment of Magistrates.

He was also the author of a book titled Business Law, senior law lecturer and an external examiner/ marker in several areas of law for a number of examining bodies including the Institute of Bankers, Association of Certified Accountants, Association of International Accountants, University of Guyana.

He was the principal of a consultancy for teaching on revision courses in contract, commercial and company laws for the LLB (London) external degree in Trinidad.

Jerry was also active in charitable and other voluntary educational work, eg he was vice-president of St Luke’s Hospice, a member of the Council of the Association of Business Executives, a member of the advisory group Ethnic Minorities Business Development Unit of the City of London Polytechnic, and a director of Minorities Arts Advisory Services.

Like Pam, he was dedicated to the promotion of equal opportunities in education. He designed and developed training courses on equal opportunities for institutions of further and higher education in many UK boroughs. Jerry’s legacy will be carried on by Pam, their two sons and grandchild. Pam, my prayers are with you and your family in your time of loss.

By living a good life and optimising the use of our God-given talents, each of us can make a difference. As Pope Benedict XVI said in his recent encyclical, Spe Salvi (Saved by Hope): “The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope.” It’s the good people who will take us forward.

n Leela Ramdeen is a lawyer

and education consultant