East Rand rallies around elderly

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With a gang of patients ready to give back for the annual holiday dedicated to public service, patients did not stop there and headed to the homes of elderly community members.

“About 90% of old people living here don’t have families who visit them. It becomes so sad on Easter and Christmas holidays when others go out with their families and some are left behind.”

The old age home east of Johannesburg offers frail care for 54 full-time residents. About 60 more local elderly community members come daily to the centre, which began as a soup kitchen.

Sibongile Msibi is a care worker at the home. She said she was grateful for the community volunteers who donated their 67 minutes to helping older members of the community.

The centre’s manager George Ramashala said the presence of volunteers meant a great deal to many of the elderly patrons who do not normally get visitors, who also donated food, clothes, blankets and furniture.

“About 90% of old people living here don’t have families who visit them,” Ramashala told OurHealth. “It becomes so sad on Easter and Christmas holidays when others go out with their families and some are left behind.”

“We feel happy on special days like this one when we have lot of people from all over to come spend time,” he added. “I would like to thank everybody who took their time and came here for us.”

Sebenzile Xaba from HIV prevention organisation LoveLife urged people to give back year-around and not just on the holiday meant to mark Former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

“I believe this should go on till another Mandela day comes,” she said. “I would like to edge the youth to take part on this day and do something it doesn’t matter what or how you contribute but to the people in need it mean big,”