“I CRIED when I realised how some people treat their elderly relatives,” said Marta April, a volunteer with Bedford’s Hope in a Nutshell project.
April became aware of the plight of many community seniors when she retired recently af-ter many years of work at the Farm Butchery.
She feels that by joining a project that nurtures seniors in body and mind, she will be able to help make a difference.
Mid-Karoo Express met her and fellow volunteers, Regine Elliot and Glenda Billet, at St Joseph’s Hall as they prepared a stimulating programme and lunch for 40 senior citizens last week.
The menu included tea with scones and sandwiches, followed later by roast chicken and veg-gies, then malva pudding (donated by The Village Farmstall).
Meetings (with tea and eats) are held every Wednesday. Lunch is added to the programme mid-month.
“But this is not a soup kitchen,” Elliot stressed.
“Our aim is to add interest and new friends to the lives of senior citizens. We give them a stimulating social date to enjoy once a week.”
Project leader, Leonard Koester, showed Mid-Karoo Express the programme of activities and talks which have been scheduled for the weeks to come.
Mini vegetable gardens and hand crafts are included.
There are also plans for holiday programmes for youngsters to keep them busy and stimulated while school is closed.
The team has the experience and expertise for a fairly sophisticated level of social intervention.
During working hours, Koester is a highly qualified professional nurse and currently acting CEO of the Bedford Hospital.
Elliot has many years’ experience working with child-centred programmes.
Anyone who is keen to help can contact Estelle Gathercole at 072 226 4177.
