Indo-Caribbean Golden Age Association
Our Founders,
Now Golden Girls
ABOUT US
The Indo Caribbean Golden Age Association (ICGAA) was founded in 1992 by Leila Daljit and Ronica Jaipershad. ICGAA engaged members from the predominant faiths of the region and offered inclusive opportunities for members to meet, socialize and celebrate their culture and heritage. ICGAA also had a mandate to assist Indo Caribbean seniors in acclimating to their new home, climate, customs and norms in Canada while integrating their cultural heritage into their lives as Canadians.
ICGAA evolved on a foundation of volunteerism which remains the pillar of the Association’s existence to this day. When Ronica relocated, Dilip Chetram joined Leila in championing the organization’s momentum. Leila and Dilip have since been awarded lifelong Board membership as they, along with many volunteers over the years, have kept ICGAA vibrant and progressive.
At the inaugural launch event in December 1992 in Scarborough, one hundred and twenty people attended, and sixty of those initial attendees signed up as permanent members. By year four, the Association membership had grown to over four hundred people.
From its inception ICGAA members have been entertained by many talented musicians, singers, dance schools and their students from the Indo Caribbean community as well as other performers from the community at large. Each meeting event begins with a Christian, Muslim and Hindu prayer embracing an interfaith fellowship. The members shared cultural connection formed the basis for many new friendships and a culture of love and respect for all involved.
ICGAA members are not only entertained at meetings; they also engage their own creative talents by putting on plays and shows, writing poetry and singing songs that celebrate their cultural heritage. As a signature of such events, ICGAA always invites and incorporates youth into their performances as a gesture of passing on cultural heritage and traditions. At one such event held at the Minkler Auditorium, over eight hundred people attended to enjoy the intergenerational performance. ICGAA members participate in arts and crafts exhibitions. They enjoy playing cards, picnic and trivia games. Their annual Father’s Day domino competition has become a favourite over the years.
ICGAA launched the first Chowtal Festival in Toronto. Cultivated over a ten-year period, participants from several Mandirs played traditional songs and renditions. In camaraderie a carry-on trophy was awarded to one group at the end of the program each year. Both local and international groups from over seven countries participated. Many of the groups included Indo Caribbean youths who learned to play their instrument from experienced teachers.
As hosts of the Chowtal Program the ICGAA provided a forum for ten years to let the musicians and youths showcase their talents. Many youths who participated in the Chowtal Festival are now continuing this initiative at their various Mandirs and other public venues. The trophy, which was rotated amongst the groups over the initial ten years, now sits in the museum of the Vishnu Mandir.
ICGAA members also demonstrate leadership roles at many community events with great enthusiasm and commitment. Some of these events include the first Guyana Festival, the first and only state visit of the late Guyana President Dr.Cheddi Jagan and the first Caribbean Health Fair. They serve on community outreach programs such as one with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and volunteer at hospital gift shops and in bereavement programs.
This membership is also comprised of community minded fundraisers. The ICGAA has raised money for the Indonesian Tsunami Relief, the Guyana Burn Care Unit, the Three Rivers Kids Foundation, and the Guyana Help The Kids Foundation. As well their events provide a place for Canadian youths to earn their Community Service credits and participate in event programming.
Now in its twenty-eighth year, many ICGAA members, present and past have participated and contributed to this Association and organizations in their communities. Members of the ICGAA continuously express their increased confidence in their daily living and their increased happiness in new found friendships and supports over the years.
ICGAA inaugural members are getting much older, and while some have passed on, they have left us with nearly three decades of memories to cherish. These memories evolve continuously as new waves of younger seniors join the Association and remain inspired by new friendships and enthusiasm that makes the ICGAA one of the most recognized interfaith cultural Associations of senior citizens in the Greater Toronto Area.
TESTIMONIALS
Leila Daljit