Age is no limit when serving the community
“People come to my door with various ailments for which I do not have a cure, but the least we can do is offer home-based care services."
Salaminah Nhlapho is dedicated to sustaining the sick and clothing the needy in a bid to ease their plight.
The 74-year-old said it has always been her dream to lend a helping hand. Her innate gift of helping saw her convert her yard into a micro sanatorium, where a suffering community can run to for shelter.
“People come to my door with various ailments for which I do not have a cure, but the least we can do is offer home-based care services,” said Ms Nhlapho.
Ms Nhlapho was approached by a Taiwan foundation called Tzu Chi, a Buddhist charitable foundation.
“They were looking to provide relief to local communities and they sought volunteers.
“When I learnt about the people from the foundation I joined, because I thought it was a good cause,” she said.
She said her mini hospice has produced positive results in many cases.
“Three children, who were unable to walk at all, were dumped in our care but one of them is running around happily.
“It makes me want to cry that their parents had given up,” said the 74-year-old volunteer.
Gogo Nhlapho wishes to pass her virtue of caring on to future generations.
“When God remembers me, they must be left with the love for the people and be committed to serving the community with pride,” she said.
Services at the hospice do not come at a price and volunteers are not paid for their contributions.
They distributes free food to needy school children, provide home-based care, provide clothing to orphans and many more services.
“We have established physiotherapy for physically challenged people like patients who suffered a stroke,” said the community hero.
Those who are interested in the physical exercises provided can contact Ms Nhlapho on 073 651 2148.
