By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The Itekeng Luncheon Social Club members could not believe their eyes after they received a bakkie as a ‘sign of donation’ from Meals on Wheels Organization.

The donation came about after the social club’s request.

Ramohula Joseph Mbunda,81, who is a Project Manager at Itekeng Lucheon Social Club based in Matolong village, near Taung said the bakkie will help them a lot as they were in need of a transport. “We were using wheelbarrows to deliver food to elderly people whom we serve. So the bakkie will come in handy and will be used to transport food to various areas where our aged people are” he said.

Various stakeholders came out to experience the donation. The North West Social Development, Age In Action organization and Meals on Wheels were part of the hand over.

Meals on Wheels Director in Tans-Orange Area office said that Meals on Wheels caters for older people.

“Meals on Wheels For The Aged is a multi-faceted welfare service aimed at helping the elderly of our country to live out their sunset years in dignity and relative comfort. The service includes Old-Age Homes, Frail-Care Centers, Service Centers For Senior Citizens, and the well known Meals on Wheels For The Aged meal delivery service” he said.

Rantsoabe said all of these services function under the umbrella of Meals on Wheels Community Services,which is a non-profit organization.

The Meals on Wheels service utilizes voluntary helpers who prepare and deliver nourishing meals to the disadvantaged elderly in the comfort of their own homes.

As a rule, the service enables Senior Citizens to remain in the community for far longer than would otherwise be the case.

“We like to believe that the service also enables Senior Citizens to enjoy better health for far longer than would otherwise be the case” Rantsoabe said.

Senior Citizens from all walks of life benefit from the Meals on Wheels For The Aged service, and people from all walks of life make up the voluntary teams.

Itekeng Luncheon Social Club is part of Meals on Wheels and Mbunda said poverty is the biggest challenge in they encounter in Taung.

Dineo Chuaka who is a Supervisor Social Worker shared the same sentiment. “The challenges we come across especially in Taung, are elderly persons who are neglected and some of them being left to raise their grandchildren. So our message to the society is, let take care of our elderly people as they are vulnerable. Let’s make sure we do not leave the alone without enough care” she said.

“The meals are usually prepared in specially equipped Meals on Wheels kitchens and are then delivered by way of a special delivery vehicle that is manned by a driver and a “hopper.” “Hoppers” not only present the meals to the Senior Citizens, but they also lend an ear to the lonely, offer guidance and advice wherever this is needed, and refer Senior Citizens to various other services that can make their retirement years more pleasant and more meaningful” Rantsoabe said.

Meals on Wheels Community Services Director Mpho Rantsoabe said dignity is a sweet fruit that Senior Citizens thrive on, and it is a sweet fruit that they who see to the needs of the aged are always trying to preserve.
-TDN
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