Two new centenarians namely Mrs Marie Rosine Agathe Bousoula and Mrs Maud Laiza Lefevre, celebrated their 100th birthday during an official ceremony organised by the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity on 17 November 2023 at the Rolande Hungley Municipal Hall in Rose-Hill and on 18 November 2023 at the Plaisance Community Centre respectively.
The two centenarians each received, amongst others, a household basket, a Medal and a Certificate, a microwave, a cheque of Rs 26,203, a gift in kind from the Senior Citizens Council and a cash gift of Rs 10, 000 from the National Solidarity Fund.
Mrs Marie Rosine Agathe Bousoula
Mrs Bousoula was born on 17 November 1923 at Gentilly in Moka. Her parents had two sons and three daughters. She is the only one still alive. Her father was a self-employed carpenter, and her mother was a seamstress. She studied up to grade three and worked as babysitter and/or seamstress with the ladies on the sugar states.
She was living in a consensual union with Mr Prosper Henri, a driver of Union Ducray Sugar Estate and the couple had 11 children. She has 21 grandchildren and 52 great-grandchildren.
Mrs Bousoula eats all vegetables and food but prefers soup and dessert. She also enjoys watching television, especially documentaries, and attributes her secret for longevity is her strong faith in God, regular prayers, taking infusion and doing charity.
Mrs Maud Laiza Lefevre
Mrs Lefevre was born 15 November 1923 at Rue L’Hopital in Mahebourg. Her father was working as driver with Dr Emilien and her mother was a housewife. She had two brothers and two sisters. She has one brother aged 88 years’ old who is still alive.
The centenarian studied at L’ecole des Soeurs, Mahebourg till standard VI. At the age of 28, she married Mr Louis Emile Lefevre who was working as “ajusteur” on Beau Champ Sugar Estate while she was a housewife. The couple had three sons and two daughters. Her husband passed away in 2015 at the age of 93 years old. She has 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Mrs Lefevre enjoys watching television, reading, and praying. She likes to eat vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. However, her favourite dish is “la daube poulet” and she loves to eat chocolate. She enjoys a good health and moves around without any help. Her secret for longevity is ascribed to her healthy lifestyle and her faith in God.
