A happy place for the elderly
This local NGO has been touching and changing the lives of the elderly for nearly 50 years and is still going strong.
The Krugersdorp Council for the Care of the Aged (KCCA) is a sanctuary for over 300 members and 80–150 elders who join in on the daily activities they have on offer.
The KCCA is a very well systematised organisation and it is no surprise that it is run by a hands-on manager, Mareli de la Hunt-van der Merwe. Mareli is a passionate and versatile professional who ensures that work is properly done. The non-governmental organisation, which was founded almost 50 years ago and was registered in 2001, started as a soup kitchen. Their goal is to reach the elderly who get lonely. Once they are at the centre, they receive proper meals and are surrounded by people who understand them, especially during the day when they are mostly alone because their children are at work.
This is where they get to relax, watch television, play cards and board games like bingo, while others prefer to sit and chat. The council tries to arrange an outing once a month, but transport is always a problem as they only have two minibus taxis. Once a week, on Wednesdays, a number of drivers come and take those who need medical attention to various hospitals. They also go on shopping trips around town on a weekly basis.
“It is difficult to think of just one highlight here at the KCCA since I joined the organisation three-and-a-half years ago,” said Mareli.
“The Annual Golden Games are organised for the elderly and they love the competition as it challenges them physically and encourages them to get active. One woman from the organisation who is in her 70s has qualified twice for the national 400 metre event,” said Mareli.
The centre has 13 staff members, made up of management, admin staff, chef, kitchen staff, caregivers, a social worker and a nursing sister who provide necessary home care for the members. There are also many volunteers, who make a huge difference at the organisation.
Mareli said that the major challenges they face are not having sufficient donations of food, and not having a state-owned old age home. The normal elderly person who visits the KCCA cannot afford to go to a home.
The KCCA does not let the shortage of money stop them from feeding needy elderly citizens, as they also send 40 meals a day to Swaneville as part of an outreach program.
“It feels good at the end of the day to know that you make a difference. Before joining the organisation I never realised how important companionship is, and seeing how KCCA fills that void is amazing,” said Mareli.
She summed up by saying that she would like the community of Krugersdorp to visit the organisation, and if possible, help them by volunteering or donating because necessities such as food get more and more expensive, and the centre makes a huge difference by changing lives.
If you would like to help the KCCA (by volunteering or with a donation), contact Mareli on 011 660 6354.
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