Outreach programme celebrates its seventh year

Seven years of caring and friendship were celebrated when women from Alexandra and the surrounding areas gave thanks to Thembalami Care Centre for its Zamokuhle outreach programme.

The care centre started the outreach initiative in 2009.

Zamokuhle focuses on giving older people from nearby Alexandra and River Park the chance to get out of the house three times a week and enjoy the company of their peers.

Beneficiaries are taught a variety of handcrafts, such as knitting and crocheting. They enjoy a morning tea and lunch, and benefit from health and social awareness initiatives.

The anniversary celebration marked not only Zamokuhle’s seven years of existence, but also the Week of Older Persons, which runs from September 26 to October 2. October 1 is International Day of Older Persons and Grandparents Day is on October 2.

The Zamokuhle Gogos, as they are fondly known, raised almost R4 000 on their own in order to host the thanksgiving event.

“They spent two days cooking the lunch that they served. It included samp, pap, rice, vegetables, salad, chicken and juice,” said Thembalami social worker Ms Lara Hurwitz, who, along with Thembalami, sponsored cake and ice cream for dessert.

Ms Lufuno Mulaudzi, a former social worker student at Thembalami, was the MC for the day and gogo Victoria Smith warmly welcomed everyone and shared a bit of Zamokuhle’s history.

A group of 10 girls from New Life Centre in Lombardy East sang and recited a poem dedicated to grandparents; while eight girls from an aftercare centre, run by one of the gogos, performed some Zulu dancing and singing.

“The party went on from 10am to 3pm, and everyone really enjoyed it. Credit must go to Zamokuhle’s coordinator, Ms Makgati Legodi, who has empowered the gogos to take ownership of their lives and well-being, as well as student social auxiliary worker Ms Mongalo Ngoasheng, who worked hard to put the event together,” said Ms Hurwitz, who herself spends many hours a week working with the Zamokuhle participants.

Thembalami looks after people who are either physically or mentally frail, or both, and who are in dire need of 24-hour frail care. It forms part of 113-year-old non-profit organisation Rand Aid Association’s Social React Division, which provides hope and support through difficult times to people in their golden years.

Members of the community who wish to donate materials for arts and craft activities, including wool, paint, beads, glue, paper and crayons or tea, coffee, sugar, milk, cake and biscuits can contact Ms Hurwitz at Thembalami on 011 882-4434.