The SAVF in Fochville’s Retirement Village scooped up two big awards during its national congress.

According to the facility’s manager, Lynette Eybers, the SAVF held its national congress at Hartbeespoort from October 19 to 21.

The Fochville Retirement Village received the award for the best occupational facility as well as the excellent financial service award. It was the first time that the latter award was handed out.

The retirement village was also recognised as one of only three prestigious facilities in Gauteng at the SAVF Gauteng Conference in June.

This facility houses more than 300 elderly residents and, according to Eybers, is constantly upgrading its facilities and the services it gives to the pensioners. Amongst other things, the facility gets most of its electricity from solar panels, while its water is being pumped from a borehole and then cleaned for use by residents.

Among other upgrades, a new Agape wing was opened in April. Thanks to a donation by the Agapé Foundation, a non-profit organisation from Fochville, a previous hall with six-bed sections was transformed into a more private wing for elderly individuals who are not frail but no longer as strong as they used to be.

The SAVF is a national welfare organisation that is already 122 years old. It currently has 1 061 volunteers and 274 volunteer beneficiaries.