Die Anker is in need of donations
Home manager Martie Otten said having no funding from the government has a number of challenges because they rely on donations and the community for support.
SAVF Die Anker Tehuis is an NPO and has been rendering welfare services since 1904.
The home originated in 1948 as a hostel for young girls from the rural areas who came to work on the reef factories.
But later in the years the need to accommodate young women was no longer required and in 1972 Die Anker was registered as an old age home for self-sufficient elderly and disabled persons.
In 1995, the Department of Social Development decided to withdraw its subsidy and that left them with a huge deficit in revenue.
Home manager Martie Otten said having no funding from government has a number of challenges because they rely on donations and the community for support.
“Forty-five per cent of our residents only receive their social grant and do not have a family support system to subsidise the shortfall between their grant and our unit cost,” said Otten.
The home had not been spared through these pandemic times as they received no donations.
“It has been a difficult time for us. We have not been receiving much donations as companies are facing difficult times. We are in need of donations,” said Otten.
“It has been a difficult time for everyone. We had to protect our residents and make sure they are safe and healthy. We made sure they followed the Covid-19 rules and put procedures in place for when they go out to visit family. We have had no Covid-19 cases since the start of lockdown,” said Otten.
The home accommodates 53 residents.
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The services they render include three balanced meals per day, cleaning of rooms, security, as well as addressing the social needs of the residents.
“We pride ourselves in caring for our residents and we make sure we treat them with the dignity they deserve,” said Otten.
The home is appealing to the community for assistance.
“We struggle to meet our budget due to the fact that children/families who contribute to the monthly payment of the residents lost their jobs or have financial strain due to the pandemic. Food and municipal costs have skyrocketed and we still need to keep the high standard the residents are used to,” said Otten.
Anyone who is interested in assisting the home may contact Otten at dieanker.manager@savf.co.za
Contact the newsroom by emailing:
Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
