Elderly celebrate skills graduation in Phiri
More than 50 senior citizens have graduated from a skills development programme by Community Rise Uthando Help Center.
Community Rise Uthando Help Center celebrated the achievements of elderly citizens during a graduation ceremony held at Phiri Hall on May 28.
The organisation equips community members with practical skills such as sewing and detergent-making, while also facilitating access to job opportunities, learnerships and various social support programmes.
Founder and Director of the organisation, Thandiwe Maseko, said the organisation’s programmes aim to empower people living with disabilities, senior citizens, youth struggling with drug abuse, and school learners through skills development and social support initiatives.
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“Today we are celebrating the achievements of our senior citizens. In partnership with the City of Johannesburg, we have been equipping them with practical skills, providing them with training in sewing and teaching them how to make detergent products,” she said.
Maseko said the programme seeks to encourage active ageing by keeping senior citizens engaged in meaningful activities.
She added that the initiative promotes inclusivity, helps combat social isolation among the elderly, and equips them with skills to generate income and foster financial independence within their communities.
According to Maseko, more than 52 senior citizens were equipped with practical skills through the programme.
However, she noted that inadequate funding remained a major obstacle during the three-month training period, affecting the organisation’s capacity to provide participants with essential resources, such as food and other necessities.
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Rebecca Tloubatla, one of the elderly graduates, said that, as government funding for senior citizens’ clubs continues to fall short, the skills they acquired at the Center will help them sustain themselves and remain active within their clubs.
“We are truly grateful for this empowerment. The journey was challenging but also very rewarding. The love and encouragement we received here was amazing.
“We had so much fun and learned a lot throughout the programme. I am very happy that I was part of this journey,” she said.
