The Anguilla Social Security Ministry, Board, Management and Staff, began a week of activities with a church service at the Hilltop Baptist Church on Sunday, November 3, to mark the 39th Anniversary of the system. There, the theme “Promoting a Culture of Health and Financial Security” was played out in short addresses and the sermon.
Minister of Social Security, Premier Victor Banks, recalled the launching of the system by Revolutionary Leader, James Ronald Webster, the passing of legislation, and the support of a number of public service personnel to ensure its success. He said it was also a time when naysayers were of the opinion that it would not succeed, but he was pleased that the system was now a great source of social security for the population of Anguilla.
Director of Social Security, Mr. Timothy Hodge, said: “The Social Security Board is happy to celebrate with the Hilltop Baptist Church on the 39th Anniversary – the actual day, November 3rd, 1980, when the Social Security Act was passed. This is the legislation that developed the social security system which today serves Anguilla.
“Our theme for Social Security Week is: ‘Social Security: Promoting a Culture of Health and Financial Security’. I refer to 3rd John chapter 1 and verse 2 where it says: ‘Brethren I pray that you will prosper and be good in health even as your soul prospers.’ Our theme is built on the foundation of spiritual, health and financial security, and we are taking forward that theme in our conference this week on ‘National Health and Financing Initiatives’”.
Mr. Hodge went on: “As we prepare for the introduction of our system of National Health Insurance in Anguilla, we will also be working towards that end this week.
“It was noteworthy that here, in this church today, we have several other persons who were involved in the introduction of social security. Among them was [retired] Pastor Davis Lloyd, a member of the first Social Security Board. Mr. Victor Banks who is the longest-serving Minister of Social Security was there in the trenches, right at the beginning; and then there was myself. We are happy to have at this service our Chairman [Mr. Sean Richard] other Board members and Staff.”
Pastor Gareth Hodge said in part: “The sermon is about a culture of good health and financial security. Many people spend all their health trying to get wealth, and when they get wealth they have to spend that wealth back on their health – and when they are finished they have neither wealth nor health.
“Our body is designed to heal itself, through its immune system, and that is greatly affected by what we eat – so we must be conscious of what we eat such as acidic and other foods. Eating foods that are too sweet is like throwing gasoline on fire when it comes to helping cancers spread; and today we have more non-communicable diseases in our island which are of great cost to the Government of Anguilla. These diseases include diabetes, stroke, heart attack, kidney troubles, especially dialysis treatment. It is a lot of money that Government is spending on dialysis. Apart from the effect that these diseases are having on social security, it is our own health and happiness that we should think about.
“Then there is financial security. We have to operate at the wisdom and information level. Information is key about how to advance ourselves financially; to invest; to be wise; and the importance of a good reputation in terms of advancing ourselves financially. Matthew 16 mentions how to understand the world’s system of finance. We are operating in a system that is unfriendly to us, and we must know how to operate in that system.”
Pastor Gareth added: “That’s why we need wisdom and then we have the Heavenly riches. God is saying in that text – if we are unable to be faithful in what man has given to us to be in charge of, how shall we be faithful in what God has given us and requires wisdom and knowledge. With the changes of technology and time, we have to know how to change our financial approach to life in terms of entrepreneurs and everything else. God will provide wisdom to advance and secure yourself when you get up in old age.”
