Elders Voice celebrates five years of community service
There have been many exciting changes at the organisation including hosting its first wedding.
“Our roots are firmly set in Amanzimtoti and we will never forget the ongoing support we receive from the community. The Elders Voice KZN Amanzimtoti will forever be our home.” These were the words of the founder of the organisation, Joanne Herbst, who will celebrate five years since she first opened its doors. The organisation has come a long way since the beginning when members would assist the elderly from their car boots.
It has been five years since the Elders Voice began, almost four years since the doors to its first home was open, and a year since its Montclair base opened.
“What a ride it has been. We have experienced sorrow and learnt so much. We have joined forces with many governmental departments and signed a service level agreement with a large old age home KZN Care Association. Through our new age ideas and their many years’ experience in the industry we know we have stepped in the right direction allowing our oldies security no matter how frail they become. We have, however, not changed our outlook on intimate living, and still have three homes in Amanzimtoti. We will find another building in Amanzimtoti or its surrounds to create another wonderful little intimate village for our oldies, just like the building we found and renovated in Montclair.”
There have been many exciting changes at the organisation including hosting its first wedding.
“Over time we have tried our best to be self-sustainable and now we grow vegetables in our gardens. We have a charity shop and our old people have been crafting up a storm during the lockdown. We are almost ready to go online and sell all their wares. We have even had a few oldies “hooking” up and have turned into such wonderful lasting unions. One which resulted in our first Elders Voice Wedding, and we even hosted it on the property ourselves. It was marvellous.”
The organisation has also received numerous awards for its dedication.
“Thanks to nominations from our followers. We are now fully licensed with all relevant government departments and are allowed to house 160 residents. We currently are housing 160 residents and have a small waiting list. We have some wonderful house mothers at our larger homes and all our caregivers are registered with the department of social development and all have police clearances so this gives one peace of mind. We also outsource caregivers to those who need assistance at home. We are proud of how much we have achieved and how we have grown and been accepted into our Amanzimtoti community and we proudly Totarians.”
ALSO READ: New doors open for The Elders Voice
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