One of the other programmes supported by FIAM is providing support to 18 elderly people, each of whom is widowed and essentially abandoned by their family, leaving them with nowhere to call their home. The 18 live as part of a larger community of 30, and it was a delight to visit them all today. The residents all live together and have a live-in carer who is there for them and oversees the running of their home. They are also supported by a lady who comes each day to cook the meals.
It was humbling to be able to greet the residents, and help with serving lunch of rice, banana curry, and a local orange for afters. The residents age from 60yrs up, so it was also poignant to recognise that in another life I might soon be taking my place as a fellow resident.
Accommodation is simple and very communal – one of the bedrooms had about 8 – 10 single beds in it, and the others looked similar. Cooking is just on gas hobs, and it is all ground floor. But there is a sense of camaraderie between the residents, and a definite sense of family, which was so lovely to experience.
What a blessing to be able to go and spend time with these lovely souls in their later years, and to give a little love back to a generation who have gone before.
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