100-year-old says faith is his only medicine

At 100 years old, Fayman Thomas isn't slowing down. With his back straight, voice strong and humour fully intact, the centenarian boldly declares that life is still very much in session.

Physically active for his age, Thomas still moves with purpose, even though the long walks around the community are now a thing of the past.

Born on March 8, 1925, and raised in Top Mountain, St Catherine, Thomas now calls Seaview Gardens, St Andrew, home. His years stretch across a full century, but he insists longevity is no mystery.

"My family live long," he said proudly. "Mi mother live til about 103. She have 13 of we. One sister still alive in America -- she 100 and add. One brother reach 80, one reach 90. Only three of my brothers dead," Thomas said.

According to Thomas, the same grace that carried his family has shielded him from illness. In fact, he insists sickness has never been able to rock his foundation.

He credited his good health to God's grace, saying his devotion has been evident in the absence of illness throughout his life. Laughing off the idea of sickness, Thomas questioned what ailment could possibly trouble him, insisting that unwavering faith offers full protection. "Wa kind a sickness?" Thomas asked. "Mi seh when you put your trust in God, nothing will do you.

He recalled being taken across Jamaica for repeated medical tests, all of which came back clear, before he was sent home untouched and praising God. Standing tall, he burst into his a spirited chant, declaring that no earthly doctor could cure what faith alone can heal.

"Dem carry me go all over Jamaica to test, test--and dem find nothing. Them bring me back right here... Hallelujah!"

Though age has slowed his stride, it hasn't robbed him of independence. Heavy labour is outsourced now, but daily life is still his responsibility -- and he takes pride in that. He cooks for himself, cleans up, and keeps his space in order.

Pointing to a coal stove and scattered pots in his living room, he calmly broke down his morning routine.

"Mi wake up, wash mi face, wash out mi mouth and cook tin mackerel," he said. "Mi never feel for rice, so mi eat it with biscuit and tea."

His diet, he said, hasn't changed much over the decades.

"Mi eat everything -- rice, sugar, salt, everything. And you nuh drink soda like me," he added, laughing as he lifted an empty bottle.

He quickly clarified that he doesn't drink alcohol, though he has the occasional " one or two Dragon".

Thomas charters a taxi to buy groceries in bulk and uses the same service to restock his small home business. From his living space, he sells kerosene oil, lamps, mosquito zappers, candles and matches.

"Mi sit right here and dem come buy," he said. "Even in storm, mi sell. You hear dem call out, 'Kerosene! Kerosene!'"

At nights, his home is softly lit by candlelight -- a scene that takes him straight back to boyhood.

"Just like when I was a boy," he said. "The whole a Jamaica did run by dem yah. Nothing naah do me, and see, mi have water store up in bottle."

Thomas described Jamaica as sacred ground, due mainly to its climate and abundance of food.

"Which other place you see fruit tree like this?" he asked. "Jamaica is a blessed land. A little garden."

As his birthday approaches, Thomas says his only wish is for additional days and continued good health.

"Every morning, mi get up, go to the door, look out and say, 'Thank you Lord for health and life.'"

Then, with a mischievous grin, he added that he's waiting on a young woman, at least 25 years old, to keep him company.

"'Mi need one who decide to serve the Lord," he said. "We can sit like this and do business," he chuckled.