The Thembalami Care Centre was filled with a festive spirit on December 6 when Father Christmas visited and handed out gifts to the 150 residents.
Also present at the Rand Aid Association-run centre in Lombardy East were elderly women from the nearby Alexandra township who benefit from Thembalami’s outreach programme.
Many of the care centre’s residents rely solely on government grants and it was with the assistance of numerous kind-hearted individuals and companies that they were able to enjoy a party complete with crackers, gifts and festive treats.
The Inyoni Angels, a group of residents from the Inyoni Creek retirement village, which is also run by Rand Aid, have for the past few years given thanks by reaching out to the more vulnerable senior citizens who call Thembalami home. Each year, the Inyoni Angels hold monthly birthday celebrations for the Thembalami residents, and also help them celebrate special occasions like Easter. The Inyoni Angels were responsible for the presents that were handed out, as well as for the appearance of Santa. They also helped serve the three-course meal prepared by Thembalami staff, and spent several hours interacting with residents.
