Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
LIVING in an aged persons’ shelter has traditionally been associated with neglect and a lack of compassion by families and communities.
Society often frowns upon sending the elderly to care homes, fearing perceived hunger and poor facilities. However, this notion was recently dispelled following a US$20 000 boost towards the rehabilitation of Gwanda Old People’s Home by the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
Through their annual golf tournament, they raised funds that were allocated to the complete rehabilitation of the facility, breathing new life into the home. Various other facilities were also renovated by Parliament across the country through this initiative.
The seven residents of the shelter were all smiles as they enjoyed the newly renovated home.
“I am happy with the work that has been done; look at the place now. I also want to thank God for the years He has given me to be here. We are happy with the food that has been brought for us, and we are grateful for the assistance we have received in such a significant way,” said Mr Nato Nathaniel Moyo (93).
Two residents of the shelter are 105 years old.
Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Mudenda, toured the facility to appreciate the work done and was impressed with the developments.
Parliament installed five new solar geysers to provide hot water for the residents, along with a 5kV solar system that powers the entire institution. New lighting was also installed outside the shelter.
Two 5 000-litre water tanks were installed and mounted to serve as reservoirs for the institution.
The 10 rooms for the residents were given a fresh coat of paint, along with the toilets. A new, fully equipped doctors’ consultation room was also rehabilitated to enable residents to be examined in an appropriate setting.
The soak away for the shelter had collapsed and was reconstructed.
In a bid to ensure the shelter is self-sustaining, Parliament constructed a fowl run to kick-start a chicken project, which will see residents receiving chickens for their meals and selling the excess.
The Speaker also brought in new linen, including blankets, pillows, and bed sheets; an industrial gas stove and gas tank; a large deep freezer; a kitchen sink; new shower heads; a laptop and printer to facilitate electronic documentation.
An assortment of groceries was also handed over to the residents, including 200kg of rice, 50kg of mealie-meal, 20 boxes of toothpaste, 20 bottles of petroleum jelly, 20 bath towels, 100kg of soya chunks, five cases of orange juice, 25kg of kapenta, 100kg of sugar beans, tea leaves, 100kg of washing powder, bathing and laundry soap, floor polish, cooking oil and toilet paper, among other supplies.
Cleaning detergents were also procured. The seven residents were handed US$700, which will be used for their regular medical supplies.
“We are here to celebrate our elders who have been blessed with such long lives. A few of us may reach such ages. We are here because we respect the elderly, as prescribed by the Bible. Parliament sees it fit to assist the elderly annually,” said Adv Mudenda.
He emphasised the importance of always celebrating the elderly and noted that Parliament had taken steps to renovate the home, ensuring they live in a hygienic and comfortable environment.
While the home’s board expressed a desire to become self-sustaining, Adv Mudenda expressed concern about the lack of permanent staff.
“I am not happy that this institution has no permanent workers; there are only volunteers. We appreciate their dedication, but as a leader, I feel we must engage and determine what is needed to sustain this place monthly. I am pleased that the local council has pledged to contribute to this fund, along with local Members of Parliament. I also call on local Zanu-PF leadership to add to this fund so we can adequately support this home,” he said.
He added that the welfare of the elderly must be a priority.
“There are blessings in caring for our elderly parents. We will support this shelter significantly to ensure their comfort. We also plan to expand the facility, as many would like to live here, but space is limited. The board and the Department of Town Planning must work together on this expansion,” he stated.
He noted that this aligns with the Constitution, which mandates the adequate care of the elderly.
Mrs Elita Manda, a volunteer who has been assisting with the elderly, also shared her story.
“I started volunteering here on 17 September 2013. I trained with the Red Cross and help the elderly. We used to visit this institution and find the elderly cooking for themselves, which motivated my colleague and me to assist them.
Over time, I became the sole helper,” she said.
Mrs Manda highlighted that their biggest challenge has been medical support.
“I often have to take sick patients to hospital, spending much time there, while no one remains at the home to cook or clean. I have worked hard to balance everything. I am grateful that the Speaker’s donation will greatly help in ensuring smooth operations at the shelter,” she added.
The chairperson of the Gwanda Old People’s Home board, Ms Ruth Thompson Zulu, expressed gratitude for the gesture from Parliament of Zimbabwe.
“We faced issues with hot water, a collapsed soak-away and the lack of a consultation room for medical personnel. We appreciate these renovations. Our fowl run has been extended to support our income-generating projects,” she said.
Ms Zulu also mentioned that a wheelchair ramp was constructed to facilitate access for those using assistive devices.
She added that the bathroom facilities had been upgraded, which will significantly improve hygiene and comfort for the elderly.
Member of Parliament for Gwanda-Chitaudze, Cde Fisani Moyo, also contributed with a cash donation, chicks and feed for the poultry project. — @NyembeziMu
