Chinese lunch on the lawns of care centre

One day last year, some of the residents from Ron Smith Care Centre’s Cedar Park wing were participating in one of their ‘Who Am I ---Get to know me’ chat sessions.  The topic of ‘favourite foods’, a very popular subject, came up for discussion, and it was discovered that quite a few people loved Chinese food!

The conversation continued... “What specific Chinese dishes did they enjoy?” They responded: “Sweet and sour pork, chicken with cashew nuts, beef chow mein.” The list grew and grew, as each resident remembered (and salivated over) what they used to order and enjoy, when they went out for Chinese food or ordered takeaway.

The more everyone talked, the hungrier they got, and it was decided to host a Chinese lunch.

The morning of Saturday, April 23, dawned and staff and volunteers of the Rand Aid care centre got busy setting up for the lunch. Chinese music and golden oldie tunes played in the background and colourful Chinese lanterns and fans that the residents and volunteers had made in OT were strung up around the gazebos. Volunteer Eve Higgs provided lovely flowers for the tables, which were set and readied for the 118 guests (from all six wings of the Ron Smith Care Centre).

 

Then, the much-anticipated Chinese food arrived. Some of the residents even showed proficiency at using their chopsticks, while others good naturedly tried using, with a giggle or two, the unwieldy sticks.  Aside from the food that each resident, family member, staff and volunteer had ordered for him/herself, there were also spring rolls, bowties and ice cream on offer. And finally, to round off the delicious lunch, a nice cup of fragrant Jasmine tea! This was such a wonderful day of family, friends, food and fellowship.

Feedback from residents

Resident Jill Jones expressed grateful thanks for a wonderful Chinese lunch. “We were all so appreciative of the tremendous amount of thought, attention to detail, organisation and hard work which went into making this event so successful.” 

Frank and Karen Mitchell said it was a lovely lunch and a great day, and all the Cedar Park residents (whose fondness for Chinese food set the lunch in motion) signed a thank you card saying, “It was a wonderful outing –we loved it!  The food, décor, everything was all so good.” 

Lakeside resident Peter Barker summed it all up by saying, “I have just got back to my room after a happy experience eating Chinese grub! I must express my thanks before I do anything else. The time and trouble given by so many people to put meaning into so many lives is beyond praise.”

Ria van der Westhuizen (right) says: “What is joy? Sharing a delicious Chinese meal with my sister, Val!” (left).

A fun time was had by all...

And making the lanterns beforehand was just as much fun ...

Lilian Christie holds up a colourful lantern.

Morris Kahn and caregiver Rodney Baloyi.

Our beautiful lanterns.

 The volunteers who helped make the lanterns: Jennipher Chibeka, Patricia Oosthuizen, Carlynn Hose, Jackie Erasmus, Noelene Puntis and Carroll Prigge.