Fundraiser for Gogo Lunch Club

In a country plagued by hatred, racism and violence, love and the spirit of uBuntu still exists in a small, shanty village on the outskirts of Newcastle.

In this little village of roughly fi ve or maybe six mud huts, one hut has the privilege of being the venue for the Gogo (grannies) Lunch Club.

The lunch club happens every Tuesday when the elderly women gather in fellowship, to enjoy each other’s company…to laugh, sing or perhaps to cry but most especially to discuss the very serious issue of water.

Suffering has carved its mark into the weathered faces of the 12 elderly ladies crammed together in the small 4sqm “clubhouse”.

Hardship has drowned itself in their misty eyes. Here, the struggle is real.

But no matter, each Tuesday the women dress in their finest, they embrace each other then get to the very serious business of survival. With crochet hooks and knitting needles in hand and swatches of material, all donated to the village by a nearby coal mine, Future Coal, they make blankets, linen and clothes they hope to sell by Christmas to get in a small income for the festive season.

There are no facilities that cater for the elderly in this village. The youngest is in her 50s but they take care of each other.

Read the full story in this week’s Newcastle Advertiser out now.

Fundraiser

Barbara Elliott and friends will be hosting a ladies get-together next week Tuesday at the Mugg & Bean at the Newcastle Mall from 6pm. Items made by the Gogo Lunch Club will be available to purchase.

Entry fee is a 5 litre bottle of Thirsti branded water. Newcastle is known for its generous spirit – please help Barbara get water to this village.

The drop off zones for water are the Mugg & Bean and the Newcastle Advertiser.