The Sencit Resthaven Old Age Home for the Aged in Rusthof, Strand, recently paid its last respects to its oldest resident, and is taking the opportunity to reach out to the public for assistance.
According to William Botha, secretary of Sencit’s board, a memorial service was held for Arna Theys on Wednesday 21 June, six days after she passed away at the golden age of 93. Fellow resident Annie Gordon paid respects to her friend by releasing doves in her memory.
“At age 93 she was our oldest resident who had really graced us with her presence,” Botha related. “She was a retired teacher who taught at the now-closed St Paul’s Catholic School and afterwards at the Methodist Primary School, both in Somerset West.”
But Sencit is an NGO with one mission in mind and that is to continue providing a safe haven for the destitute among the elderly.
“We are always financially stressed, but Covid-19 almost forced us to close down because of insufficient income,” he explained. “Luckily we have been able to keep our doors open. Currently we are on the lookout for a cash injection of R100 000 that will help us to pay our salaries and our vendors on time.”
Not only will this capital pay salaries but it will also enable Sencit to replace its wooden wing that has become a fire hazard.
Botha explained the wooden structure was donated to the old age home by Somchem in 1990, and it houses eighteen residents, has a hall area, staff kitchen and a nursing office.
“The Department of Social Development (DSD) has since declared the wooden structure unsafe,” he said, “and we are in the process of developing a proposal to have it replaced.”
Sencit is also in dire need of adult diapers of which donations are welcome.
“We are also asking people and businesses to donate adult diapers, as the supply we receive from the Department of Health is not sufficient and constant enough.”
Botha appeals to residents and business owners willing to donate items or offer financial support to call Sencit general manager Broidy Ortell on 021 845 8502.
