Thembalami gives thanks

Complex manager, Ms Elize Raath said, “I always thought the number 13 was unlucky, but 2013 has been the most wonderful year we have ever had.”

She thanked everyone who contributed to the Rand Aid Association-run care centre.

Several individuals, churches and companies reached out to the care centre in an effort to improve the lives of the people who call Thembalami home. Most Thembalami resident receive only government subsidies, which barely covers the cost of their accommodation. The majority of residents cannot afford some of the little things many people take for granted, like body cream, a new facecloth or a pair of slippers. In meeting residents’ basic needs, Thembalami has less funds available for renovations or improvements to the old building they occupy in Lombardy East.

This year Thembalami managed to overhaul its elevators at a cost of around R1-million, making the care centre safer in emergencies and allowing frail residents to travel more easily between floors. Thembalami also repaired its roof, re-paved and erect a ceiling over a dilapidated patio to create an outdoor recreation area. They installed a new guardhouse to shelter their security staff from the elements, built wheelchair ramps at all emergency exits, improve the greenhouse, renovate their frail care facility and sick bay, as well as two other wards. Old baths were replaced with large showers, new toilets were installed as well as new furniture. Residents can now enjoy a renovated and styled entrance, reception, waiting room and boardroom.

Donations of all kinds help the residents enjoy their golden years that little bit more. A donation of Kellogg’s breakfast cereal enjoyed as a Sunday treat was a great hit. Some residents received new pillows, linen, mattresses, sweets and tables were donated. Frequent functions were held for the entertainment of residents.

Elize and her team have many plans for the new year. These plans include renovating a wing in the women’s ward, painting a number of passages and rooms, overhauling the laundry lift, installing water tanks and a generator to minimise the impact of municipal strikes and outages, sourcing paintings and curtains, and providing more residents with new pillows.

Anyone willing to assist, or willing to make a donation to enrich the lives of the 180 residents of Thembalami, can call Elize on 011 882-4434.

r Thanks goes to Arthur Fisher, Ben Matthee, Bidvest, Brian Quigley and Son, Brian Havenga, Catering Chef’s Dominic Pain, Claude Pearce, David and Ethne Koff, Desire Allen, Dr Des Sonnenveld, Dorcas Aid, Edenvale Lionesses, Edenvale Rotary Club, Ethnix, Fedhealth, Felicity Borland, Greg Schultz, Golf School of Excellence, Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, Infinitude Design, Inyoni Creek’s Garden Club, Isel van der Berg, Jenny Bennett, Mark Borland, Medscheme, Moira Dowds, Multichoice, Otis, Red Carpet Travel, Rand Aid’s Welfare Development Trust, Rose Pienaar, South Africa Social Security Agency Alexandra and Midrand, Sovereign Construction Synergy, Swissport’s Kira Sparrow, Thornhill Manor residents, Val Bartram and the Inyoni Angels, Wayne Wilmont, various churches, anonymous donors and individuals.