Caring for people with disabilities is their passion
Their duties include providing daily support to disabled people, such as administering medicine, serving meals, providing companionship, helping with bathing, taking them to the clinic and running errands.
Daveyton caregivers Petunia Boshielo and Vuyelwa Makhwelo have always been committed to providing the best possible care for people living with disabilities.
Petunia (30) and Vuyelwa (40) work at the Elethu Cheshire Home in Daveyton, which assists people with disabilities throughout Ekurhuleni by providing for the necessary needs for their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
These caregivers’ goal is to make a difference in the lives of those living with disabilities.
The home accommodates 18 residents from the ages of 18 to 55. There are four caregivers.
Petunia started as a volunteer at the home in 2015 after she qualified as a caregiver and was employed full-time in 2017.
Vuyelwa has been a caregiver at the home for the past nine years. Her grandmother, who became wheelchair-bound in her golden years, inspired her to be a caregiver.
“While I was taking care of my grandmother, I realised that disabled people are the same as everyone else and all they need is tender love and care,” she said.
Petunia said she wanted to be a nurse, however, due to a lack of finances she opted to be a caregiver because all she wanted to do was to help those who couldn’t help themselves.
“Even though I didn’t become a nurse, I am fulfilled because I’m able to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said.
“You must never give up on your dreams. Keep trying. Take the first step or volunteer and something will eventually come up.”
The Daveyton residents said their love for everyone at Elethu Cheshire motivates them to go to work every day.
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“We are all one happy family because we get to laugh together and make memories,” they said.
Their duties include providing daily support to disabled people, such as administering medicine, serving meals, providing companionship, helping with bathing, taking them to the clinic and running errands.
They encourage families to remember their loved ones with disabilities because some of the residents’ families do not visit.
Vuyelwa said: “We are all human and we make mistakes but let us not abandon them. Communication is important. People with disabilities do understand when they’ve done something wrong or when we have done something they are unhappy with.
“They also need to feel loved and appreciated by their families. It is not nice for some when other families visit their loved one because those who have been abandoned feel as though they are not wanted by their families.”
Petunia added that disabled people need love, a bit of patience and just to feel wanted.
“Love from a stranger is not the same as the affection you will get from family,” she said.
The caregivers said due to Covid-19 the residents no longer participate in any activities because volunteers have stopped coming to the home.
“The residents do need to keep their minds and bodies active.”
The home is appealing for donations of wool, crocheting hooks, puzzles or art and craft materials they can use to create activities for the residents.
Donations may be dropped at the home at 71183 Sihoko Street, Daveyton, (by appointment) or contact 011 424 7050 or email daveyton@cheshirehomes.co.za to arrange for donation.
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