Vutlhari looks after elderly in Dzingidzingi village
An organisation that helps the elderly to stay healthy and fit has received a donation of R10 000 from Gazamed Pharmacy.
The Vutlhari Environment and Health Organisation from Dzingidzingi village outside Giyani was started in 2010 and registered as an NPO in 2013. According to the project manager, Yvonne Nkanyane, they have twelve full-time staff members and nine volunteers of whom are women and young people.
Patrons visit the centre on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays where they exercise and attend talks on various subjects. “We also take them on a trip to a game reserve every year.” She says they assist the elderly in cases of financial, sexual, and emotional abuse and domestic violence. “We give them emotional and physical support and through the centre has created jobs in our community.”
Also read: ‘Cupcakes’ pay for high medical bills of recovering pangolins
She says the Gazamed donation went a long way to help, especially in January when things were tough. “I would like to thank them and the Madzivandlela Royal Family for their support,” she adds. Runny Maswanganye, the spokesperson of the royal family, says the project contributes greatly to the community.
“We live in a rural area with high unemployment where a lot of families rely on social grants, so the project helps with the jobs it offers. It allows people to take care of their families and take their children to school.” The project boasts a vegetable garden which they sell to raise funds for their work.
