Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Division | 21 April, 2023 – Today, the Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Division celebrates yet another momentous occasion with one of our beloved Treasured Centenarians Ms. Sarah Ann “Evangeline “Joseph.

Veda as she is affectionately called was born on April 21 1919 and is the first of the five children born to Amelia Beatrice Richards who was also called Dada B. She was born in Green Hill, Liberta, right in the area where she now resides.

She never attended secondary school and never had any training in any special skill. She grew up working in agriculture — in the fields of various estates and other local farms. She was also a domestic worker and a mother of seven children, all of which are alive.

She has travelled to many countries such as the U.S Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, England, the USA, Curacao, St Kitts and Nevis, and Cuba to name a few.

Longevity runs in the family as Veda also has one surviving sibling, Verna Frederic-Francis, who resides in England, also a Centenarian presently at the age of 101.

At this present age Veda’s vision, although not 20/20, still allows her to see and read. She is very collective even at the age of 104, no one can out-talk her in a conversation.

Present at today’s celebration were Government Officials including His Excellency Sir. Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, Senator Samantha Marshall, Minister of State within the Ministry of Social Transformation, Mr. Colin O’Keiffe, Permanent Secretary of Social Transformation, Ms. Dale O’Brien, Director of Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Division, Ms. Dianne Williock Community Development District Officer for St. Pauls, members of staff of the South Zone area and the Technical Team all within the Community Development and Citizens’ Engagement Divisions.

Also among the guest were Rev Georgette John Cottam of the Grace Hill Moravian Church, Mr. Stanley Warner of the Liberta Community who made representation on behalf of Hon . E. P.Chet Green Parliamentary Representative of the St. Paul’s Constituency, Mr. Jason Gilleard and other family, friends and well-wishers of Ms. Sarah Ann “Evangeline” Joseph.

Members of the family who resides abroad also had the opportunity to participate in the celebration by way of the Zoom platform. A special thank you to the Ministry,s Public Relations Officer Ms. Carlene Jacobs, ABS TV and other media outlets who assisted with media coverage.

To date, Antigua and Barbuda boast of 22 living Centenarians here and abroad. May we continue to support our beloved Treasures, our Centenarians!