Last Friday, the Albany Museum took the initiative to visit different old age centres around Grahamstown for their 67 minutes for Mandela Day contribution.
Last Friday, the Albany Museum took the initiative to visit different old age centres around Grahamstown for their 67 minutes for Mandela Day contribution.
The Museum staff went to the Raglan Road Service Centre, where they painted walls and gave the elderly fruit and sweets.
Albany Education Officer, Nozipho Madinda, said they started this initiative in 2010, when they visited different farm schools, giving out meals and clothing.
"We felt we should visit elderly homes this year since we've always visited schools."
The museum even organized children from different local schools to come sing and dance – which seemed to go down well with the elderly residents.
Nombulelo Pona (65), who is a member of the centre said she feels very happy about what the museum did because it showed that they care.
"We always feel neglected and forgotten by the communitiy at large because there is so much that we do in this centre but we don't get recognition," she said.
The women showed off their creative side by displaying their art work, they also spoke to the children about good values and the dangers of using alcohol and drugs.
Project Manager of the Centre, Nomfundo Mthana, said words cannot describe just how happy she is about this good deed and she will never forget what the museum did.
"Most Gogos feel abandoned and neglected by their families, so something like this makes them feel valued by their community," she said.
Albany Museum labourer, Lindinxiwa Mahlasela, said he felt good about doing something positive for other people.
"For an hour I get to forget about myself and enhance another person's life."
Member of the Centre, Nompumelelo Msebi (69), said she felt overwhelmed by the activities that took place in their centre.
"It feels like Christmas. I was so excited when I heard that the Albany Museum was coming to visit I couldn't even sleep," she said.
One of the young girls who perfomed for the elderly, Qhama Mankayi, said the highlight of her day was singing and distributing fruit to the grannies.
