Go Turquoise, show you care

POLOKWANE – Bolivia Lodge launched the Go Turquoise awareness programme last Wednesday, which informs the community about the plight of the elderly and seeks to increase society’s awareness and response to the needs of the elderly so they can achieve an optimal quality of life.

“South Africans have to learn to treat the elderly with respect, love, patience and humanity. Awareness will have to be created about the plight of the elderly and what we as individuals, families, organisations and society can do to make the world a better place for the elderly,” said Dawie Botes, the co-owner of Bolivia Lodge.

“Unfortunately older people are often soft targets for the criminal element in our society. However, if we all care about the elderly and cherish them as an important part of our families and communities, we may be able to protect them from harm.”

Project 21, a nationwide organisation campaigning for sustainable charity services launched the Go Turquoise for the Elderly, which runs from May 15 to June 15, which is World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day.

“Raising awareness requires the involvement of everyone. The campaign therefore calls on all South Africans to help create this awareness by wearing a turquoise item or clothing or by decorating places in their community with turquoise items during this period,” said Magda van Deventer, spokesperson for Project 21.

“The responsibility of caring for the elderly already rests on the shoulders of the community and in the future even more so.

For this purpose, a campaign such as this can only be a success if the media, local and civil councilsand all other organisations participate to show that they have the well-being of the elderly at heart,” said Van Deventer.