A woman worthy of praise
Ndinisa works with seven volunteers who cook breakfast and lunch from Mondays to Fridays. Needy children and the unemployed from the community also come here for meal
PIENAAR – Taking care of the elderly is a passion for Hellen Ndinisa. Mpumalanga News spoke to the remarkable woman at the Yehla Ngelozi Elderly Day Care in Gobhoza section.
She is one of the women to be celebrated in Women’s Month.
Gogo Mary Anne from Spot 5 in KaNyamazane says, “She is very kind and deserves to be praised for her sterling work. For taking care of the elders, and listening to the community and those in need.
“Circumstances forced me to leave KaMagugu years ago, and Ndinisa helped me find shelter in Pienaar, before I relocated to KaNyamazane. Like any needy person, I benefited a lot from her,” she said.
Speaking to Ndinisa, Mpumalanga News learnt that her love for the elderly comes from deep within her heart. “I feel they should spend their remaining years happy, until their last day on earth. I wish to be an answer to their daily problems. Growing up, I never received love from my own parents, just from my grandmother,” she says.
The centre caters for the needs of 53 elders from 49 to 95 years. Some of them are living with disabilities. Ndinisa works with seven volunteers who cook breakfast and lunch from Mondays to Fridays. Needy children and the unemployed from the community also come here for meals.
“Roughly, we serve between 99 to 101 people a day,” says Ndinisa.
The elders are taught basic education skills, handwork and receive health lessons which include physical exercises every Wednesday. The centre depends on handouts from good Samaritans. At the moment it is supported by Operation Hunger which buys enough food for three weeks. However, it needs more help, including chairs, plates and extra donations to feed the
101 people.
According to Ndinisa, unemployed youth also visit the centre on a regular basis, either for a plate of food or to find out how to better themselves.
“We have helped some with hospitality skills and even helped some get employment in various guest houses,” she says.
Ndinisa believes that if they get a computer, they will be able do their paperwork with ease. Currently they have to travel as far as KaNyamazane to do it.
On Monday three youngsters came to the office to ask how they could help. The youngsters were concerned about the security system and offered their support. They proved anyone can make a difference by helping where they can.
For any assistance, Ndinisa can be reached on 076-392-1575 or
060-623-0192.
