St Catherine Municipal Corporation fêtes the less fortunate

Seventy-five-year-old Inez Coburn was a picture of contentment after getting her hair done.

Coburn was among the scores of persons going through hard times who were feted at a health fair last Thursday on the grounds of the Spanish Town Infirmary in Spanish Town, St Catherine.

The event was hosted by the Poor Relief Department of the St Catherine Municipal Corporation (StCMC) and the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA).

"Mi feel very good since dem comb mi hair and fix mi up," Coburn said. Dennis Staple, another recipient of a makeover, proudly showed off his manicure.

"Is mi nails mi doing now as mi get the pair a reading glasses already," Staple said. "Di hand dem feel lighter from the nail get clean and fix up."

The day's activities saw employees becoming ushers for the less fortunate, some of whom are under their supervision.

Parish coordinator for the homeless at the StCMC, Camille Hudson, said the objective was to make the less fortunate feel very special.

"We (social workers) oversee the well-being of the indigent, so today we are catering to them in a holistic way," Hudson said. "We feed them, we fete them and allow them to get medical and dental checks. It is a great feeling, even more so when you see that they are satisfied and say 'thank you'."

Other entities provided various services for the individuals. The Lions Club of Central Spanish Town conducted eye-testing, while the Registrar General's Department provided 30 birth certificates for individuals. The NCDA also offered counselling services.