A Spiritual Baptist Mother whose childhood dream was to have an establishment catering for
the care and assistance of the elderly has realized that dream.
This is the case of Point Fortin's Mother Joanne Bertrand who owns and operates
the geriatric home called, 'St. Michael's Celestial Home' located at Central Road, New Village, Point Fortin. It sits on five acres of land and is not government funded. It is privately run.
Today, at age 46,
Mother Joanne is the employer and mentor of other individuals who have an honest desire
to help those who are in the winter of their days.
In an interview with the Spiritual Baptist Online News
Magazine,
Mother Joanne said that the establishment can house as many as 25 residents. There are 8 people employed on the premises. She
added that also
situated on the compound is 'St.
Michael's Home Temple', a Spiritual Baptist Church which caters for the religious needs of the residents
at the home especially since they are unable to venture outside of the compound on their own.
What caused her to pursue her dream? Has she ever had the task of caring
for an elderly relative? Mother Joanne, said that she does not believing that caring for the elderly is a task but
believes it is a blessed
privilege. She noted, "During my younger years I cared for my mother who was ill for
many years. Then, when my father-in-law became elderly and ill I had the
privilege to take care of him also. He lived at my home with my family and I until his death".
She added, "These two individuals who I loved dearly
gave me the opportunity to acquire the patience that one needs in caring for the
elderly".
Mother Joanne, when asked what brought her to the Spiritual Baptist
religion said, "I grew up as a member of the Roman Catholic religion but after I got a clear understanding as to what
the spiritual way was about as well as a full understanding as to their method of
worshiping of the Spiritual Baptist I decided to get baptized".
Today
several years later and several spiritual children added to her responsibility, Mother Joanne is
convinced that she has a part to play in uplifting the Spiritual Baptist religion.
About her projections for the upcoming year, 2007, she said, "My plans
for 2007 are not only about catering to the needs of the senior citizens but also to help the poor and homeless."
