Volunteers stand outside two old age homes next to three huge pots full of soup. Not far from them a table full of loaves of bread is surrounded by dishes and cups. They are ready to make supper whihc will be served to the residents of two old age homes.
More than 100 senior citizens from Ikhaya Labantu and Sizamile, some in wheelchairs, are already lining up to get their much-needed meal thanks to to Langa Early Childhood Development Forum which has recognised that feeding the seniors is a major challenge for the homes.
Even that night they conceded that they had not brought enough food. Forum chairwoman Jean Mpati said her forum would make every effort to improve the quality of life for people who are nearing the end of their lives.
“It was Child Protection Week so instead of doing something for kids, we thought of our seniors. We are happy to work with the two homes. In Langa we share every piece of bread that we have,” she said.
She encouraged other organisations to take care for seniors and children in Langa and called on the corporate world to assist organisation like theirs so that they can develop Langa.
Another member of the forum, Nomonde Tshamlambo, said all those who took part were blessed because the seniors enjoyed their warmth and the warm meal.
“There is no better way than taking care of old people. We normally forget that they are our parents and ignore them. But the day was fulfilling to all of us. We wanted to show them that we are here for them. They need to know they are not forgotten.
“We are so blessed to have entertained them,”she said.
Ms Tshamlambo said everyone was grateful and impressed with how it turned out and added that the work would not have been possible without the management of the homes and the volunteers.