The karaoke cleaner putting smiles on faces at Coombrae Home
Ruwena Dejoux, a cleaner at Enliven’s Coombrae Home in Feilding, isn’t afraid to go beyond her job description.
While her official role is cleaner, her impact at the home doesn’t stop there, as she often assists with looking after and entertaining residents.
Ruwena is from the Philippines but has been living in New Zealand for 32 years, the last seven spent working at Coombrae Home. Her focus is keeping the home nice and tidy for residents, but she enjoys helping in any way she can, and this was especially the case during recent Covid-19 lockdowns. She brought in her karaoke microphone in the hope of keeping residents entertained and upbeat, and she says it was a big hit. “The residents love it, they come and dance and sing.” Ruwena likes being able to help the residents, who she says are like her grandparents.
“It is a nice feeling when you make someone happy, especially the elders.”
Outside of work she is also active in the community. She was formerly the president of Philippines Central Association in Palmerston North, before stepping aside to let
younger members put their mark on things.
Now much of her free time is spent organising her own ladies group, who get together for lunch and other social occasions.
The group consisted of eight ladies when it was founded seven years ago, and it has grown to about 40 members.
Coombrae Home currently has a range of roles available across multiple disciplines. If you, or someone you know is looking for a fun and rewarding role, visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz or email: recruit@psc.org.nz.