Africa-Press – Mauritius. Mrs Marie Cecilia Rea Jean, also known as Mama Rea, born at Brabant Street in Port Louis on 17 June 1923, celebrated her 100th birthday, on 17 June 2023, at the Community Centre of Riche Terre in Terre Rouge.
In that context, an official ceremony was organised by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity to honour the new centenarian.
On this occasion, Mrs Jean received, from the authorities, a cheque amounting to Rs 26 203, another one to the tune of Rs 10 000 from the National Solidarity Fund, a blender, a bouquet, a centenarian meda; and a certificate.
Mrs Jean was brought up by her grandmother as she had lost her parent when she was very young. She studied up to Standard 3 and used to work in a match factory.
She got civilly married to Mr Hervey Herman Jean in 1942. The couple lived in Port Louis and later shifted to Terre Rouge since their house was destroyed by cyclone Claudette.
Her husband used to work as a tailor. Mama Rea gave birth to five children, three sons and two daughters. Out of the five, two of them are no more alive.
She has 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Her favourite dish is rice, fish curry, “bouillon brède”, and coconut chutney. She likes to chant religious songs and water medicinal plants.
She has no major health issues apart from high blood pressure and old age weakness. She is well cared by her daughter-in-law, Mrs Marie Stella Virginie Jean. The secret to her longevity is her belief in God and the contentment of what she has in life.
Latest statistics from the Welfare and Elderly Persons’ Protection Unit of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity reveal that the Republic of Mauritius has recorded, as at 17 June 2023, a total of 167 centenarians from Mauritius and Rodrigues.
In Mauritius, the number of female and male centenarians stands at 138 and 18 respectively while in Rodrigues, the number of centenarians recorded is nine females and two males.
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