Leader of the True Worshippers Faith, Desiree Pancarte, was all smiles yesterday, as members of her church planned a celebration service in honour of her 100th birthday.
The centenarian, who was born in French Guiana, moved to then British Guiana when she was just six-years-old.
Pancarte, also known as Mari or Neni, stated that her early days growing up in British Guiana with her grandmother were fun, even though her grandmother was a very strict woman. She recalled her school days being the best times. “We had a lot of games that we play that children now don’t have time to play games because they have they phone. We come to school a little early to play the games and when the bell rings, we stop play and we line up,” Pancarte recalled.
The vibrant and energetic centenarian said that though she has no biological children, she has raised many children, including nieces and nephews, as if they were her own, making many skeptical of the fact that she has none of her own.
After leaving Charlestown Secondary School, which she stated was a Catholic school at the time, she became a dressmaker at the age of 17. “I was a dressmaker, making clothes for brides, bridesmaid and everybody and teaching many girls the profession. All the years of my life from the age of 17, very recently I’ve stopped,” the woman said.
When asked, Pancarte stated that throughout her life, she has never had many issues with her health. She recalled that the last time she went to the hospital was 50 years ago to have a surgery done, and she was told by doctors that she only had five years to live.
“I have one and only time that I’ve went into a hospital—50 years ago. The doctor give me five years to live, 45 more God give me, because God wants me to be here to do his work,” Pancarte declared.
Pancarte now enjoys being home and spending time with her family and all her grandchildren, as she feels that families should be united.
When asked what she would say to young persons that would like to live as long as she has lived, she said, “Learn to accept the love of God and behave in a better manner than how they are behaving today, most of them. Children today, most of them have gone astray and it’s not only because their parents didn’t bring them up right, they also follow bad company,” the woman stated.
