Ongwediva senior citizens receive Christmas meal

ONGWEDIVA, 03 DEC  – A group called Kaxuxwena Hadela Nyoko on Saturday hosted an early Christmas lunch for close to 200 elderly people from in and around Ongwediva.
The senior citizens, who were treated to a delicious meal and provided with a variety of Christmas gifts, included retired bishops, priests, teachers and nurses.
“It was the first elderly people’s Christmas party to be organised and hosted by Kaxuxwena Hadela Nyoko since its formation in 2016,” said one of the organisers, Walde Shidolo, while addressing the elders.
Shidolo said the party was held to recognise the role played by the elderly in bringing up their sons and daughters and giving them an education which helped them to become the professionals of today.
Speaking at the event, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) retired Bishop Apollos Kaulinge described Kaxuxwena Hadela Nyoko as an organisation of sons and daughters who have the interest of pensioners at heart.
“The spirit of unity you have demonstrated in considering this function for old people, some of them left home alone just to take care of themselves, should continue for the future pensioners,” Kaulinge encouraged the group’s members.
Another pensioner and former Swapo Party member of the National Assembly, Meekulu Pashukeni Shoombe suggested that the group consider the establishment of an old age home at Ongwediva.
Shoombe said there are many elderly people who are not able to take care of themselves and yet have nobody offering them a helping hand.
Asked on Monday if the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare plans to establish homes for impoverished pensioners, the ministry’s chief public relations officer, Lot Ndamanomhata said the building of houses for pensioners is not part of activities of the ministry.
“We only administer pensioners’ social grants and sometimes provide them with some food,” he explained.
Kaxuxwena Hadela Nyoko was formed in 2016 by some 15 members, who are all former learners of primary schools in Ongwediva, to bring their seniors together to meet and reflect on the past.
Another member of the group, Nanguloshi Nghilengwa told this news agency they are planning to host the event at least every two years. – NAMPA