New wheels for Thembalami Care Centre
“The residents loved it, we appreciate this donation from the DSD.”
Rand Aid’s Thembalami Care Centre and the Max Ordman Deaf Association had reason to celebrate when it received a new bus, with a wheelchair lift, from the Department of Social Development (DSD).
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The Volkswagen Crafter 17-seater bus was handed over to the centre on November 12 which marked Thembalami’s manager Esme van der Walt’s birthday.
In celebration of receiving the new bus, Thembalami’s residents were spoilt with vetkoek and ice-cream cones and cake to celebrate Esme’s birthday.
Some of the residents were then treated to a ‘test drive’ in the bus, which has space for two wheelchairs.
“The residents loved it, we appreciate this donation from the DSD,” said Esme.
“It will be used for hospital trips, unexpected medical emergencies, shopping trips, special functions, outings, and collecting small donations from community members, among other things.”
The bus will also be used in Thembalami’s Zamokuhle outreach programme. The programme assists elders in need from nearby Alexandra so that they can remain within their community for as long as possible.
“We used to collect our ‘gogos’, as they are fondly called, from Alex three mornings a week,” said Esme.
“While we have not been able to do this due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, we hope we can continue with the programme soon.”
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