Project launched to encourage centenarians to tell their stories in St Ann
Published:Monday | March 2, 2026 | 12:14 AMCarl Gilchrist/Gleaner Writer
St Ann Custos Joseph Issa’s ‘Custos Commando’ initiative reached a new level last Thursday with the launch of the Centenarian Story Telling Project, a brainchild of Cienna Smith, a lawyer by profession and one of several Custos Commandos.
The project was launched at Bamboo Blu in Mammee Bay and featured Miss Agnes Johnson, a 101-year-old St Thomas native, born August 24, 1924, who made Mile End in St Ann her home several decades ago.
Johnson, who gave birth to nine children, expressed a love of farming and gardening, and listed Renta and St Vincent yams, and sweet potato as some of her favourite foods. She said she is still able to tend to her farm and her garden from time to time.
Good hearing and good eyesight are senses Johnson still treasures, despite her advanced years. Add to that a keen sense of humour, which she exhibited when she was allowed to engage the audience in conversation.
One of Johnson’s grandsons, a 19-year-old, warmed the hearts of those in attendance as they learnt he was her primary caregiver.
The launch was supported by several schools whose students represented their institutions, including Mount Pleasant Academy, United Learning Centre, Ocho Rios Primary, and York Castle High, whose first-year student Nathaniel Atkinson was included on the programme to offer items.
Atkinson delighted on the steel pan, which is not the preferred instrument for high school students in Jamaica, and received a rousing applause for both items spread over two appearances.
Petagaye Stewart, Mount Pleasant Academy’s marketing manager, spiced up the proceedings by offering several tickets to the club’s upcoming games, while LeVar Allen, Jamaica Public Service’s parish manager, brought a message of inspiration, especially for the young people at the function.
Smith is pleased that her project is off and running and plans to get as many centenarians as possible involved, to celebrate their legacies.
“This initiative came about [from] having wanted to celebrate the legacy of those who would have lived over a hundred years. We also believe it’s important for bonding between our youth, our teachers, and even citizens, to meet persons who actually have lived a hundred years, to know what their experience was like and learn from them what the culture was like in our nation when they were growing up, towards middle age, and towards their senior years,” Smith told reporters.
“It will also open up our eyes to learning from them about valuable life lessons that we can also use to enhance our lives at this time in 2026 and beyond,” she added.
Issa presented Johnson with a plaque marking the occasion.