Elder’s Voice works to home more Upper South Coast seniors
Some two months after the opening of the first home, three homes have been filled with happy and peaceful retirees who live in harmony.
THE Elder’s Voice, the local NGO which took in and improved the living conditions of previously abused and neglected senior citizens of the Upper South Coast, is beaming at the success of its shared living homes.
The community responded in earnest when founder Joanne Mocke Herbst issued an appeal for donations to finalise the first home.
If you missed this: Extend a helping hand to the elderly
Now, some two months down the line, three homes have been filled with happy and peaceful retirees who live in harmony.
With the support of the community, all three homes were fully furnished, which Joanne is grateful for. By the means of shared living, 24 elderly people are sharing three four-bedroom homes in Amanzimtoti.
The Elder’s Voice has yet to experience any obstacles other than acquiring the initial financial funding to open the homes.
Opening of the first home: New doors open for The Elder’s Voice
“All our oldies are living in peace and harmony in their shared homes, getting on like family,” said Joanne.
In September, Joanne turned to the community through a Facebook post for donations to finalise the first shared living home. Inundated with donations, furniture and offerings of cooked meals, the home was fully furnished and opened in no time.
“A few months down the line, The Elder’s Voice has been able to open three homes,” said Joanne. “In doing so, we have changed the lives of 24 elderly people in this community. We definitely envision many more shared living homes in the near future, as we already have a long waiting list.”
A run through of house number three, which was set up in 7 hours:
https://www.facebook.com/eldersvoicekzn/videos/873578769470282/
Joanne explained that the next project includes the opening of a semi-frail dorm for six elderly people. “We want it small and intimate and aim to open the financially affordable unit by December,” she said.
While the lives of the elderly people who have been helped has improved dramatically, there are heartbreaking cases which the organisation deals with every day.
“A horrific case was the removal of a wheelchair-bound man from a pallet shack at the back of Amanzimtoti. He was living on a building site with no water or food,” said Joanne. “Another was that of a woman who was eating dog food and baked beans to survive. There was a man who was severely burnt and had been turned away from many hospitals and was on the brink of death. The latest case included a 74-year-old woman who had just lost her husband. She had been evicted from her flat and her belongings were thrown out on the street. There was no compassion shown to her whatsoever.”
Joanne said The Elder’s Voice has been blessed to work with many members of the community.
“Operation Bobbi Bear’s Eureka Olivier has been instrumental in the growth and success of the homes, and has offered me great mentorship,” said Joanne.
As a community-based project with the objective of sustainability, it is vital for the organisation to support the efforts of the elderly to self-sustain their shared-living homes. “We have had great success with the fudge made by Magda and Aunty Betty, as well as the koeksusters made by Uncle Matthew,” said Joanne.
She urges the community to visit the homes. “Working with an open door policy, the elderly living in the homes are ready to welcome visitors with open arms,” said Joanne.
Homes are situated at 50 Burne Road and 53 Prince Road in Athlone Park and 59 Gus Brown Road, Warner Beach.
“We remind the community that we are totally reliant on their support and do not receive any external funding,” explained Joanne. “The festive season is on our doorstep, and we hope to bless these golden oldies with a Christmas they will never forget.”
Some of the oldies share their happiness:
https://www.facebook.com/eldersvoicekzn/videos/868590516635774/
Monetary donations towards the opening of the frail care home can be deposited into the following account:
First National Bank
Cheque account
Branch code: 250655
Account number: 62591728468
If able to assist in any other way, call Joanne Mocke Herbst on 079-028-6379 or follow The Elders Voice KZN Facebook page.
The Elder’s Voice will continually strive to fulfill its mission statement: ‘Let the elderly live with dignity, not only die with dignity’.
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