A puzzle ‘library’ for pensioners

POLOKWANE – For some older people there aren’t much to do when they get older, except knit, do a bit of gardening or read; if the letters are big enough.

Karen Botha, marketing manager of Savannah Mall, realised this after she helped an old friend.

She recently launched an initiative where residents are urged to donate puzzles for the elderly.

“The idea was born when I wanted to help a friend of mine, Ernest Schnettler. I was looking for puzzles to help him with brain exercises after he had a light stroke.

“The stroke affected his one eye, as well as his hearing. I asked for help with puzzles on Facebook and the first sponsors were Sonja Randall and Clifford Ngakane,” says Botha.

“I have collected 10 puzzles so far, and a friend, Debbie Mouton, started to borrow the puzzles, like you do books from a library, for her parents-in-law and a disabled woman.”

Botha says, like the library, the elderly can borrow a puzzle for two weeks at a time as a free service offered by Savannah Mall.

“Savannah Mall would like to invite the public to donate puzzles or board games. We also invite old age homes and the elderly to come and borrow puzzles during their weekly shopping. This will keep them busy and stimulate their brains,” she says.

A competition has been launched to name the project. The competition will end in two weeks time and the winner will win R500.

Send your entry to marketing@savannahcentre.co.za with your proposal in the subject line.

“Please bring puzzles with bigger pieces to Savannah Mall management’s reception area. Let’s make this a nice community project,” says Botha.