INSTEAD of wallowing in self- pity and whining about aching joints, a chirpy group of elderly women from Mamelodi West, Pretoria, use their spare time to travel and raise funds for their community.
INSTEAD of wallowing in self- pity and whining about aching joints, a chirpy group of elderly women from Mamelodi West, Pretoria, use their spare time to travel and raise funds for their community.
Since the group, called the Simunye Women's Club, was launched more than a decade ago, the members have travelled to Mauritius, Mozambique, Swaziland and France.
When not travelling, the group gathers at the Mamelodi West Community Hall twice a week to create striking handcrafts, which they sell to the public to sustain their exciting lifestyle and donate some to non-governmental organisations in the area.
The club also uses the community hall provided for free by the Tshwane municipality for fitness training, prayer sessions and choir rehearsals.
It also works tirelessly to raise funds for the non-governmental organisations.
Dorothy Ngwenya, a retired 78-year-old businesswoman, said she came up with the idea to rescue the elderly from boredom and loneliness.
She also wanted to encourage them to live healthy lifestyles and be productive in their community.
Ngwenya said the club, which often celebrates special days like Valentine's Day in style, was planning to treat its members to a joyous getaway at the Monte Casino in Fourways to mark Women's Day.
"In November we are going on a five-day luxury ship cruise on the Mozambique Channel to Madagascar."
GOODBYE TO BOREDOM AND LONELINESS
INSTEAD of wallowing in self- pity and whining about aching joints, a chirpy group of elderly women from Mamelodi West, Pretoria, use their spare time to travel and raise funds for their community.
INSTEAD of wallowing in self- pity and whining about aching joints, a chirpy group of elderly women from Mamelodi West, Pretoria, use their spare time to travel and raise funds for their community.
Since the group, called the Simunye Women's Club, was launched more than a decade ago, the members have travelled to Mauritius, Mozambique, Swaziland and France.
When not travelling, the group gathers at the Mamelodi West Community Hall twice a week to create striking handcrafts, which they sell to the public to sustain their exciting lifestyle and donate some to non-governmental organisations in the area.
The club also uses the community hall provided for free by the Tshwane municipality for fitness training, prayer sessions and choir rehearsals.
It also works tirelessly to raise funds for the non-governmental organisations.
Dorothy Ngwenya, a retired 78-year-old businesswoman, said she came up with the idea to rescue the elderly from boredom and loneliness.
She also wanted to encourage them to live healthy lifestyles and be productive in their community.
Ngwenya said the club, which often celebrates special days like Valentine's Day in style, was planning to treat its members to a joyous getaway at the Monte Casino in Fourways to mark Women's Day.
"In November we are going on a five-day luxury ship cruise on the Mozambique Channel to Madagascar."