Media statement: New Helping Hand branch in Western Cape promotes empowerment of the elderly

Media statement

Solidarity Helping Hand

4 February 2012

New Helping Hand branch in Western Cape promotes empowerment of the elderly

In an effort to respond to the growing need for social aid among elderly people, Solidarity Helping Hand Western Cape has established an elder-care branch in Goodwood that will focus on empowering the elderly and identifying their needs. The aim of the branch is to empower elderly people in the community in a way that will bring about a sustainable and positive change in their living conditions. In keeping with Helping Hand’s broad approach, this support will focus on cultural, social and spiritual upliftment.

The Goodwood elder-care branch has already started off its activities and its next project is to plant trees at the Hernus Kriel Elder-care Centre in Parow today. The trees were donated by supporters of the centre to beautify the grounds and to offer shade for the residents.

The branch will also be involved in various other ad hoc projects that will enrich the lives of the centre’s residents. One of the planned projects is to start a vegetable garden.

Helping Hand is a service organisation that develops ideas on fighting social, spiritual and cultural poverty. To succeed in this aim, service delivery is developed and provided in line with the organisation’s value chain of children, young people, jobseekers, employees and retired people.

The long-term aim of the Goodwood elder-care branch is to expand the empowerment of senior citizens to other elder-care centres in the Western Cape.

Media contact:

Juanita du Preez

Solidarity Helping Hand

Tel: 012 644 4390

Cell: 074 500 3915

E-mail: juanita@helpendehand.co.za