Rand Aid
Association’s Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) residents and employees celebrated
Mandela Day this year by writing postcards and delivering sweets to residents
and staff at Rand Aid’s sister care centre Thembalami and the Max Ordman Deaf
Association (MODA).
Rand Aid’s senior nursing manager Avril Maltman and RSCC’s sister Leanie Bessinger delivered the postcards and sweets to Thembalami’s manager Esme van der Walt and matron Paulina Namo to hand out to residents.
In previous
years, RSCC and Elphin Lodge retirement village residents and staff celebrated
Mandela Day by gathering together for a knitathon. The knitted squares were
sewn together to make blankets, which were donated to a charity.
This year, due
to Covid-19 lockdown Level 4 gatherings and visits being prohibited, RSCC had
to find a safe way to celebrate Mandela Day.
“Writing
postcards engaged our residents and staff in a meaningful activity, while
acknowledging our sister care centre’s residents and staff, who were also
working on Mandela Day. The messages were written from the heart, with some
residents even writing to family members,” says Avril.
“What was
really special was watching RSCC’s River Lodge 3 residents, many of whom have advanced
dementia, being able to put pen to paper to write their postcards,” she adds.
“The idea of
reaching out to other older persons in the same boat is so in tune with our Eden
Alternative philosophy,” says Zabeth Zühlsdorff, Rand Aid’s general manager: services
and advance division.
“It is
empowering to not only receive care, but to also provide it. It shows that
older persons, just because they need care, are not helpless and self-centred.
They can think of others, who may also need a word of encouragement. They can
understand how they feel and empathise with them.
“Due to
Covid-19, everyone in a residential care facility has been so limited in terms
of contact with the outside world and with friends and families. To know that
there is someone else in the same boat and understanding how it is, must have
been very nice for Thembalami’s residents to know, especially coupling this
with Mandela Day and acknowledging the great sacrifices Madiba made during his
lifetime,” she adds.
Beautiful
messages
Some of the
beautiful messages written to Thembalami and MODA were:
“Good people, I
wish you well and am always thinking of you with peace and love. The heroes are
those who make peace and rebuild,” said Mariane Duvenage, from River Lodge 1.
“Hello good
people. Have a happy day, get well and be protected and safe. Love you lots,”
said Dolly Luke, from River Lodge 1.
“To care for
those who once cared for us, is one of the highest honours,” said Josephine Kew,
from River Lodge 1.
“Happy Mandela
Day. Enjoy your day,” said Megan Weeks, from Lakeside.
“On this very
important day in South Africa, we remember our very great leader with love and
respect,” said Rhona Burnham, from River Lodge 3.
 |
Delyse Burgess with Judes Slater from River Lodge 2. |
 |
Erzebet Tamasi
from Lakeside.
 |
Cathy Basterfield
from Lakeside.  Elizabeth
Trinder with Sylvia Lasarow from Lakeside. |
Ellen Quinn
from Lakeside.
Megan Weeks
from Lakeside.
Olive Jew from
Lakeside.
Wilhelmina Newman from Lakeside.
Some of the postcards sent to Thembalami and MODA.
Pictured below are some of River Lodge 3's residents, enjoying writing their postcards!
