Project lends a hand at Senior Park
With its focus on three pillars, the WeCare Foundation hopes to improve the lives of Senior Park Retirement Home residents.
At the Senior Park retirement home in Windhoek, the elderly have to survive on a state pension of N$1 400 per month.Due to their limited income, many residents struggle to afford even the most basic like rent, electricity, water, food and hygiene products.
The WeCare Foundation focuses on three community pillars: food security, repairs and renovations, and social interaction to improve the quality of life of the senior citizens living in this retirement home.
Currently, WeCare offers a cooked lunch and dessert to every resident of Senior Park every Friday, but they hope to expand this to three times a week.
The initiative also aims to provide monthly basic groceries and hygiene products to the elderly, which have become a luxury item for many residents.
Yet, the project at Senior Park is about more than just food; it is about restoring the dignity of the senior citizens by upgrading their living conditions.
Senior Park, which is one of Namibia's oldest retirement homes, urgently needs a coat of paint, upgrades to its sewage system and other renovations.
"The dream is not only to make these units livable, but to transform them into a colourful community space with Namibian artwork on every block and solar power that lowers electricity bills," said Alet Hough, the head of the WeCare Foundation.
Social interaction is another cornerstone of the project. Recognising the importance of mental and physical stimulation, the team plans to introduce clubs, activities and events that cater to the interests and well-being of the residents.
"We are also planning a fancy, proper Christmas lunch for all 150 residents in December," she said.
The WeCare Foundation calls on businesses and individuals to "adopt" a resident with either a one-off donation of N$1 000 or a monthly commitment of N$1 000 to this resident. This support is of utmost importance to ensure that the elderly can live out their golden years with the respect and care they deserve. - [email protected]