Elderly need children’s quality time, not money
Parents don’t want money from their children when they grow old they just need your quality time. Samabula Mosque Maulana, Abdul Alim made this very clear during the Senior Citizens Week celebration at Makoi, Nasinu, yesterday.
The Fiji Muslim League and the Fiji Muslim Women’s league Makoi branch organised Senior Citizens Week celebration for the first time.
“As children you must always try and share your time with your parents and elders,” Mr Alim said.
“They cared and nurtured you since you came into this world.
“At times the elders feel lonely and need you to be there to lift their spirits. They just need someone to talk to. They need someone to be there for them.” Social Welfare Department’s older persons unit principal welfare officer Dilitiana Baleinabuli said it was important to ensure that children knew the worth and importance of their parents.
“There are older people who are getting abused. The Government is looking for ways to work with communities,” Ms Baleinabuli said.
“We get calls every day and they tell us they can’t look after the elders in the family. “It is not the end of the world when elders get disabilities. We really need to educate member of our respective communities.” Fiji Muslim Women’s League Makoi Branch president, Hazra Shariff, 65, said she hoped the senior citizens enjoyed themselves. “There are approximately 50 women who are part of the Makoi branch and I am thankful to the Fiji Muslim League for organising todays event,” Ms Shariff said.
“The message for today is so touching and I hope everyone feels that way. “We want our children to take care of us when we grow older.
“It will not be easy at times, but everyone must remember the sacrifice our parents had to go through for us.”
Usman Ali, 74, said no parent wanted to be denied by their children.
“Some children nowadays don’t want their parents to live with them and takes them to old people’s home.
“They don’t consider the feelings of their parents,” Mr Ali said.
“I hope the message today will encourage the young ones here to love their parents and to never abandon them no matter how tough the journey gets.
“Parents just want to spend more time with their children. Parents have always been there for their children so when they grow older their children should be there for them.”