An inspiring new endeavour was launched in the Central Division on Friday 13th October 2023. This new programme is driven by a deep desire to extend compassionate care and support to a valued segment of our community that stands among the most vulnerable: our beloved senior citizens. The programme was initiated in February of this year, following an incident where an elderly person was brutally attacked in broad daylight because she was alone at home. In line with The Salvation Army’s mission to serve suffering humanity, Pretoria, Mabopane and Soshanguve Corps are now embarking on a faith-driven journey to offer care to senior citizens through this programme.
The programme caters for 40 elderly individuals three times a week. However, it faces challenges due to a shortage of resources, which are insufficient to provide three daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, and supper. Currently, the elderly participants receive only two meals over three days, with contributions coming from members of the local Corps.
This programme does not operate in isolation; it collaborates with various stakeholders, including:
- Greater Tswane Salvation Army Corps
- Parliamentary constituency office in Greater Tswane
- Department of Social Services
- SAPS (South African Police Service)
- Botshabel Black Farmers Development
- The ward Counsellor who strongly supports the programme.
This exciting new initiative offers more than just a safe place and nutritious meals three days a week; it also serves as a social centre that meets the needs of the elderly in the community by:
- Encouraging exercise.
- Promoting fellowship through shared meals.
- Addressing social needs by referring participants to counseling and relevant authorities for personal and family assistance.
- Encouraging story sharing, letting them know they are not alone.
- Serving as an educational center where they share skills and knowledge with each other, including beadwork, knitting, sewing, and food gardening.
If you would like to get involved or support this new avenue of care and support for the elderly, please consider the needs list below:
- Food parcels to alleviate hunger, as many of them are breadwinners.
- Sanitary towels for their daughters and granddaughters, who rely on them for support.
- Wool, crochet, and knitting needles for skills development and entrepreneurship, enabling them to sell products and sustain their families.
- Sewing machines for skills development and entrepreneurship, helping them generate income for sustainability.
- Balls and other exercise equipment for physical health.
- Bibles for spiritual needs, as some of the elderly do not have Bibles at home, and an important aspect of the programme is to provide spiritual care and support.
