“This place is a beacon of hope for the elderly, because it is where we come together to learn a wide range of skills and socialise every day.”Those were the words of one of the beneficiaries at the Elim Hlanganani Society for the Care of the Aged, Ms Elizabeth Maluleke (63) of Waterval.

“I do knitting, bead making and other artistic crafts,” she said. “And I enjoy what I do. My coming to the centre every day is good for me, because if I were to stay at home alone all day long, I will be bored to death.”

The society was established in February 1993, and ever since then it has had a track record of good service to at least 22 communities within the Elim area.

The society’s assistant director, Ms Molly Maswanganyi, said the society’s beneficiaries included drop-in-centre children, youths and older persons. They provide social welfare and social-development programmes which include providing home-based care for the elderly. “We provide material assistance to infected and affected people,” she said. 

“We run programmes such as youth development, capacity building, income generating and proverty alleviation, food security and holiday schemes.”

They have 55 older persons for day care, 220 older persons who are being visited by care givers, 113 drop-in-centre children, 1 193 youths in development programmes and 157 home-care points for elderly and disabled persons.

“Our joy comes from the good work and reports we get from people whose lives the society has touched in one way or another,” she said. “We have been growing in size and strength ever since we started this organisation. We are able to reach most of our objectives with the help of local and foreign funders who understand the importance of the kind of work we do.”
Each member pays a certain annual fee for membership. “Many of these people also donate money and gifts in kind to support our work.”

Maswangani said that the organisation’s key to sustainability was adaptability. 
“Our oganisation has evolved with the changing needs of the local community,” she said. “While we started with home-care projects for older people, we have now expanded our work to address the growing needs of people living with HIV and Aids and vulnerable children and youths affected by this epidemic.”

Another beneficiary, Ms Hilda Shuluvani (73), said that when they got there in the morning, they received their breakfast and spent the rest of the day doing different programmes. 
“It is good because we also do physical exercises. I also like the singing and prayer session, and playing soccer.”