Donald Johnson turned 103 on June 7, and as he celebrated the birthday milestone he advised the nation’s youth to honour their parents, trust God and pray.
Quoting Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,” Mr Johnson said that the best advice that he can give to this generation is to trust God and pray.
Asked about his secret to long life, Johnson said, “the mercy of Almighty God, hard labour and good natural foods.”
The father of seven, grandfather of 15, great-grandfather of 20 and great-great-grandfather of two revealed that he grew up in Mandingo Road, Indian Walk, Moruga and is a proud descendant of the Merikins, African American soldiers who fought for the British in the war of 1812 and were given lands in Moruga as payment for their service.
He recalled that he never completed primary school because he had to work to assist his family.
Johnson said he began working at the age of eight “in the forest pulling wood.”
Today he said things are much different as children are able to access improved living conditions and greater access to resources.
“Today children can go to school and they don’t have to work as hard. People today have cars, lights water and a lot of conveniences,” said Johnson.
He was visited by Hannah Ramroop-Millet, Inspector I of the Division of Ageing and Charlene Moorley, Family Service Social Worker of the National Family Services Division of the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.
He was presented a with a fruit hamper, his Certificate of Honour and Achievement, and a birthday cake sponsored by the Kiss Baking Company.
