Workshop for aged creates work opportunities

A group of elderly persons from Luthuli Park keep themselves occupied by making useful articles from which they derive an income that helps sustain their families.
On weekdays these senior citizens gather at the Luthuli Old Age and Youth Centre to make articles such as mats, comforters, pillows, pillow and duvet covers as well as small decorative items while some also do embroidery. Although the centre has access to a sewing machine most of the work is painstakingly done by hand.
A well-timed donation in the form of a shipping container received from Rotary Club Polokwane recently is making their task much easier. The 15 m² container with adjoining shade cloth awning provides welcome additional working space.
Welheminah Yamane, Manager of the facility, explained that the articles are made from materials that are purchased in the city and that completed items are sold in the community and also at flea markets. A part of the income is used to buy new material and the rest divided between the 23 members of the group. Pillows are sold for R15 each and duvet covers for R100.
“The container is actually too small to accommodate all our members at the same time, but we also have a shade cloth next to the container. It also serves as a storeroom to keep our property safe.
Nelson Masipa, Coordinator of the project and only male member of the group said: “The centre is now five years old and we are going from strength to strength. We were previously accommodated in church facilities but it is now much better to have our own place,” Masipa said.

Story and photo: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com

Featured photo: Nelson Masipa, Coordinator and Welheminah Yamane, Manager of the Luthuli Old Age and Youth Centre some of the articles made by the elderly members of the centre.