Community worker, Mr. Carl Thomas, is a fine example to young men and women in Anguilla in terms of his caring love for the elderly who, in their brighter and productive years, had been contributors to, and builders of, the Anguillian society.
A former employee in the Juvenile Division of the Anguilla Probation Department, Mr. Thomas, who is originally from Guyana, has developed an enduring interest in the elderly. In preparation for his new and voluntary role, he pursued a course in geriatrics at the Anguilla Community College. Since then, he undertook, in cooperation with a number of beauty salons, to provide an annual cosmetic service for the elderly at the various senior citizens homes during the month of October. In his words, he is “putting a smile on the faces of the elderly”, something the caretakers at the homes, as well as the residents’ families, appreciate very much. Ordinarily, Thomas works as a Videographer with KCN Television and is quite busy covering various events.
On Monday and Wednesday morning this week, the caring and gentle Mr. Thomas visited the Tender Loving Care Home in The Valley and the Rosewood Centre at East End. He was accompanied by cosmetic workers from Violet’s Beauty Salon in The Valley and Hair & Nails Salon on the Stoney Ground Road respectively.
“This is all part of my community outreach service,” Thomas told The Anguillian. “I call myself a Volunteer Care-giver/Community Worker. I did a programme at the Anguilla Community College in Geriatric Care-giving. So, as part of my continued practical training and experience, I decided to undertake this project for the elderly in the community each October month. The focus of the project is to put smiles on the faces of the elderly by giving haircuts and shaving of beard to the men; and combing the hair of the women as well as manicuring their nails and toes, among other cosmetic care and treatment.”
Mr. Thomas added: “This year, I got two salons to come on board – Violet’s Salon for the Tender Loving Care Home and Hair & Nails Beauty Salon for the Rosewood Centre. I hope next year to bring in other salons to render this voluntary cosmetic service.”
Ms. Brenda Hodge of Tender Loving Care Home was available for comment. “We are excited about what Mr. Thomas is doing,” she told The Anguillian. “He and the team, he has put together, are doing a great job and, as I said, we are very happy and excited to have them. They are doing a wonderful job.”