By Brighton Ncube
Located in the outskirts of the Bulawayo city centre Ekuphumuleni Geriatric nursing home houses 43 Old people, 14 males and 29females, with a total of 45 people looking after them and the entire home.The staff comprises of the nurses who look after the old people, kitchen stuff as well as others who do the laundry.
Impala Boutique Hotel in Bulawayo provided Mothers day lunch for the elders in the home as a sign of appreciating them and thanking them for their love.It was a great event which started around 12noon with entertainment from Hloseni arts ensemble from Bulawayo who showcased their cultural dancing moves which the old people could not resist but to join in ululation and singing along to the old songs that they used to sing during their days.
Hloseni Arts director Reuben Pembedza expressed his delight on taking part in this event”As Hloseni Arts we are glad to perform this afternoon for the old people, taking them to their heydays,we are happy to entertain them and we are happy we were called to this auspicious event, besides today’s event we also perform at schols teach children on cultural preserving and upholding it because without culture you have no identity and direction” he said
Speaking on behalf of Impala Boutique Hotel Miss Lindokuhle Ncube expressed her utmost gratitude to the administration from Ekuphumuleni for allowing them to give back to the community through providing a Mothers day lunch for the old people.”I feel so excited to put a smile on someone’s face,giving this lunch to the old people it gives me the satisfaction that cannot be described in words and am glad Impala did this and we assure you that we will continue giving back to the community”
The old people expressed their appreciation as well when they received lunch from Impala events, Ekuphumuleni Geriatric Home survives on well wishers and funding from the government.Speaking to Sister Malemane from the clinic side she expressed the need for well wishers to continue coming back to the community and give back in particular to Ekuphumuleni which is facing many challenges.”Some of the main problems we are facing is the area of funding, in the previous tears the government would fund the home , our salaries are paid by the government but the home is in urgent need of a laundry machine as the one who used broke down, now we depend on doing the laundry for the elders through hand washing and it is a difficult task as on a day one has to wash around 200 pieces of cloths and blankets”
She further went on to say ” another major problem is the issue of power utility we need to have solar geysers so as we can get warm water for the old people,and diabetic machines as well as High blood pressure machines are also needed”
Adding on was the administrator Mrs S Hove who expressed much gratitude to Impala Boutique Hotel for such a great job they did, ” we wish Impala Boutique Hotel all the best they have done a great job for the old people, you can see by the looks f the old people they are happy to have you guys around,Impala Boutique Hotel may God bless you,” she however highlighted some of the problems the home faces,” We use a Truck as an ambulance and it is so old now and its so embarrasing to carry some one to the hospital with it and it adds to the pain on the patient, we need an ambulance as amatter of urgence,and well wishers to support us with anything” she said
Impala Boutique Hotel provides catering for weddings, parties, seminars, workshops as well as accomodation,at affordable prices in Bulawayo.Tommorrow it will be hosting a Mothers day lunch at its Conference centre and people have been urged to come and spend their day with their mothers and appreciate their presence.
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