Christmas cheer for the residents of D J Sobey
SEVENTY-TWO elderly citizens from DJ Sobey home in Buffalo Flats received new knitted blankets, pyjamas, clothing and food parcels from members of the Vukani Senior Citizen Crafts and Touring Club.
Vukani, which falls under the Amalinda Methodist Church Circuit 313, adopted the home which looks after elderly people who are frail and from needy communities.
The members have been visiting the elderly each year ahead of the Christmas month to donate clothing and food parcels.
Group member Thobeka Maliwa said each of the 14 members collected material and knitting wool during the year and they would meet on a regular basis and knit away in a back room which had been donated by one of their church members.
Maliwa said they made all kinds of things – blankets, sleeping wear, hats and jerseys. This year the group also contributed money and bought the elderly fresh fruit and snacks.
She said that although the group members were no longer working and were pensioners, they still donated their time and used their knitting skills to give back the little they could.
“Because this group is made up of pensioners, we thought we should reach out to people in our age group.
“We also could have been out at old age centres, but by the grace of God we are still in the care of our families.
“Most people here at the home are not here by choice and it was very important for us to come out and show them love and look after them.”
Nomakhosazana Tyali, a caretaker at the home, said the elderly looked forward to this time of the year because many no longer had family members or people who visited them.
“As D J Sobey we are very grateful to the people from Vukani. Most people here do not have family members anymore or people who come and visit.
“This means a lot to the elderly. We appreciate the support from Vukani.”—