Elderly enjoy a meal for the first time in a restaurant
Tshepo ya Sechaba also celebrated its first year anniversary.
Over 40 elderly people from the Tshepo ya Sechaba, a Dawn Park non-profit organisation, experienced for the first time what it feels like to be in a restaurant on May 11.
Through the assistance of community members around Boksburg who bought fund-raising tickets for the Sponsor-a-Gogo event, afforded the elderly an experience of a lifetime.
The Adega restaurants and Mrs SA semi-finalist Khumi Ngubeni presented the Sponsor-a-Gogo fund-raising event in support of the Tshepo ya Sechaba organisation.
Ngubeni said as part of her pageant duties, she had to be involved in charity work.
“Because of my passion for the elderly, I organised the dinner for them to show some appreciation and love. The elderly are so important in the lives of so many because they play a major role in the upbringing of children in communities.”
The founder of Tshepo ya Sechaba, Cynthia Nhlapo, who also celebrated her 60th birthday on the day, shared a moving speech where she highlighted some of the successes of the organisation since its establishment.
“We have faced some financial difficulties but we thank God for the good things He enabled us to achieve. We are also thankful for the new members.”
Gifts for Best Attendance, Supportive Coach, the Person Who Showed Leadership Skills and Most Improved Health were handed out to deserving members.
Alfred Mabaso, who won in the Most Improved Health category, said: “We thank Tshepo Ya Sechaba for the wonderful work it is doing in our lives. When I first joined the organisation I was using a walking stick but since I started exercising I am strong and able to walk without aid.”
Ngubeni thanked everyone who bought fund-raising tickets.
“I thank Adega restaurants for opening their doors to allow us to host this amazing dinner on their premises. We thank Tiger Brands and Westwood Pharmacy for their donations and everyone who contributed,” Ngubeni said.
The organisation’s weekly programme includes running, aerobics (Mondays), walks around Dawn Park and discussions (Tuesdays), preparations for sport tournaments and visits by a social worker (Wednesdays).
Elderly from across Ekurhuleni are invited to join the organisation. They meet from Mondays to Wednesdays at the Dawn Park Family Church, from 8am.
For more information contact Nhlapo on 082 4273 864.
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