NOLUVO MGIJIMA

GIFT of the Givers’ response to the Kokstad-based old age home, Elonwabeni Old Age Home, left huge smiles on the faces of elderly people living in the institution on Wednesday, September 3. The visit was in the midst of food challenges faced by the institution, which takes care of 67 residents that are over 60 years old. A donation of hygiene packs, porridge and butter was made to support the nutrition and wellbeing of elderly residents. Billal Jeewa, a community liaison officer from Gift of the Givers, said a call was made to the foundation to offer food support. The Gift of Givers team did not only find food challenges but identified a shortage of water as well as the supply of electricity. The institution has three water tanks, but only one tank is working.

With the issue of electricity, the elderly centre is facing electricity consumption problems. The high demand for electricity during winter forced the institution to cut electricity usage by not using some electricity appliances.

In response to the challenges facing the elderly home, Jeewa said Gift of the Givers will work in partnership with the Greater Kokstad Municipality to supply a Jojo tank and intervene on the issue of electricity. He further said that the foundation will also supply the elderly centre with food donations. He promised that the foundation will come to Kokstad next month to offer support. The home’s manager Nomagugu Jwaqu said the water, electricity and food crisis faced by the institution was a threat in keeping elderly people healthy. “Due to lack of enough food, we had to reduce the scale of food for the elderly so as to prevent their food storeroom from running empty,” she said and thanked the Gift of the Givers for their support.

The Greater Kokstad Municipality mayor Lwanda Madikizela said it was the municipality’s responsibility to give elderly people peace and make sure that they are safe and healthy. He said the relationship between the municipality and Gift of the Givers will be an ongoing initiative to provide aid to the centre.

He also said he will rope in the humanitarian foundation to help other families in need. He said the municipality will intervene to resolve the water problem.