“Ubuntu – motha ke motha ka batho. I am because you are and since you are, therefore I am”. A phrase taken most seriously by the patrons of Impact Direct Ministries (IDM). IDM, established in 2001, is a non-profit community based organisation which operates in South Africa with it’s main operational base situated in Cape Town, Western Cape. It serves local communities through various outreach programs with it’s main focus being counselling community members on issues such as drug addiction, marital problems and even financial difficulties. With the program comes the setting aside a few hours every Wednesday to honour senior citizens of the community by providing them with low-cost, professional pedicures and a bit of companionship.
Reconstructed Living Lab (RLabs) was birthed at IDM in 2007 and has, since it’s official establishment in 2009, impacted the lives of so many in and out of South Africa. RLabs is a movement by people for people and its youth have identified the growing need for manpower at the weekly pampering sessions by which they have now selflessly volunteered their time to this cause. The seniors all welcome the fresh, young faces as so many of them are neglected by their own relatives. This project started with an average of 10 – 15 that has now expanded to such an extent that the ladies treat up to 25 seniors per session and reached over 400 seniors.
Many of the seniors, I’m sure, do not just come for the treatment but rather for the warm smiles and friendly conversations which the ladies at IDM so lavishly dole upon them. This is what was said by one of the volunteers at RLabs: “As a youth in my community, I feel it is imperative that others emulate this example and show our seniors the love and kindness which the ladies at IDM do so well.”
It is heartwarming to know there are still people who care for the Seniors.
Seniors were young once and they are our parents and grandparents.They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
More young people need to be made aware of their responsibility towards the aged because sooner than later they will also be Seniors.