Benina Ciriavesi, the oldest resident of the Golden Age Home, thanked God for her longevity, to be able celebrate Christmas this year.

The 102-year-old said she was blessed by God’s grace to have good health and vitality for her long life.

“It is a blessing to be here with my fellow residents and the Minister Mereseini Vuniwaqa and to  still celebrate Christmas,” said Ms Ciriavesi.

“I feel happy to be here with them for another year, I am thankful.”

Ms Vuniwaqa, the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation was present for the Senior Citizens Christmas Party in Samabula. She said the party was for all the residents to symbolise the gift of love.

“Christmas is a time where we talk about the cross and ultimately it’s about love and giving,” she said.

“This is the time when we mark how blessed we are.

“Firstly for the gift of life and for the gift of love.”

Ms Vuniwaqa said the celebration was a thank you gift from the Ministry to show that they cared about the Home’s residents.

“Some of them may not have seen their family members for years,” she said.

She reminded the residents that their party was to remind them that their families were also those who were beside them each day.

“It’s you caregivers and your fellow residents,” Ms Vuniwaqa told the residents.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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