First impressions
Nyumba ya Wazee managed and run by the Little Sisters of the Poor is where I set up camp for my community service as part of my community service program at USIU. Having grown up with my grandparents in the village till 2009 I felt an old people’s home would be a good fit for me and my understanding. Interacting with the elder generation felt like an initiative of immense attraction to me. I was curious to find out for myself how old people’s care homes assist the society we know and live in and whether they add to the greater humanitarian cause.
Background
Nyumba ya Wazee is an initiative from a mission called Little Sisters of the Poor that looks to help aging and elderly poor people within the community. They are also based in thirty-one other countries, where they carry out such humanitarian work. There are two profound establishments in Kenya for the old people run by the Little Sisters of the Poor one is the Ruaraka Kasarani and the other is in Tudor in Mombasa.
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The course for serving the elderly was started by Jeanne Jugan in France. It is said that around 1839, she found an old woman in the winter season. Desolate, blind, and paralyzed. Jeanne, having felt compassion and empathy for the woman, took her, carried her to bed, and let her lay there. From that day onwards, Jeanne was moved to assist the poor elderly men and women, and her confines were forever open. As time went by the Little Sisters of the Poor grew.
As of the current setting, there are around three thousand well-ordained sisters in the world who are under the Little Sisters of the Poor mission, working tirelessly and hard to ensure that the elderly are taken care of on a regular basis in the places they are stationed.
In Kenya, the Nyumba ya Wazee mission in Nairobi was established in 1985. It started small and has evolved from when it was established. Despite being small it consists of 71 residents within its perimeter who are of different and diverse backgrounds ethnically and religiously. Run by nineteen “Little Sisters”, on the ground staff who are around forty who all contribute coherently collectively to ensure that the collective care of the elders is met. Cleaning the premises, keeping and maintaining the grounds, and cooking for the elderly is all part of their daily activity.
There is a doctor who is there to cater to the needs of some of the elderly needs health-wise. The institution depends on volunteers who come from schools and other corporations to help with the heavy workload present in the area.
Initial feelings
Monday morning, my initial attendance day for my first few hours in the institution was very confusing and exciting. I did not know what to expect. As I walked in the serene view and grasp of the place calmed me down and I felt peace. The elderly on their way to morning devotion gave me a sense of connection with God that was shared in the place.
The institution despite having limited financial support and resources on occasion manages to look amazingly good on eye view. It is colored green and the elderly clearly seem to be taken and in love with the tranquillity. There are seats on every corner of the place to provide rest and talk time for the elderly as movement around or staying in rooms all day isn’t all that nice and comforting for them.
The hygiene standards maintained in the institution are beyond commendable. The work bestowed upon the Little Sisters is one of selfless giving and of great service to society. People often than not look down on the work that goes into caring for the elderly in society sad to say. Vision 2030 under the social pillar, has as one of its projects the establishment of a consolidated social fund that is to care for the elderly, orphans, and other vulnerable groups and I took it upon myself to research and find out if the institution in any way is supported by the government in the appeal to achieve its vision 2030 goal.
The calm deep expectations of wanting to know the thoughts crossing the minds of these individuals startled me pensive. The rich cultural diversity filled with heritage as I observed keenly on arrival took me aback and all my quirks were crushed seeing people of all tribes and religions working and co-existing well together as one. A big lot though I quickly noticed was of catholic association but co-existence was not a problem as far as I could see. The elderly went about their business and found no need or reason to dispute against each other whatsoever.
Challenges faced
Every beautiful story however goes not without a flipside and in the case of Nyumba ya Wazee it was no different. During the few weeks I have been there, I have observed and even faced a number of challenges myself.
One major challenge has so far to do with funding and full dependence on donations. Dependence on donations from well-wishers and other non-governmental organizations is predominantly the way to run the institution as no elderly individual physically pays for their stay, in contrast to elderly folk or Kenyan private nursing homes where people pay to stay and be taken care of.
Another challenge is the elderly going on to feel a little humiliated and dehumanized as they depend on people to help them do things. This leads to slow gradual psychological problems as the elderly tend to feel less like people and more like children. This further results in them lashing out at the staff that is supposed to take care of them.
Another challenge is the lack of enough activities for the elderly to engage in. They mostly sit around the whole day and do nothing that engages them in a productive but entertaining manner. They have no games to challenge them mentally unfortunately they get profoundly bored. This leads to a very monotonous and habitual lifestyle which in return spurs boredom.
Another challenge that as a volunteer I am facing is the lack of quality time to associate with the elderly. Work is hipped on us with no limit. Working around a cleaning routine and lack of a clear rotational program to associate with the elders does not make me feel in touch with them but more distant and feelings of far gaps and working around strangers are dominant. That shouldn’t be what this community service is about at all, the institutions both USIU and the home should do better at this integration.
Improvements I would make to the site
Helping out physically may look of little to no importance but makes a big huge difference. It provides the institution with an extra pair of hands to help further facilitate the cleaning of the institution and maintenance of its premises.
Second I would move to introduce board games to help with muscle memory so that their minds remain further active and sharp. This would help in providing alternative sources of entertainment other than radio and cards to the elderly. Showing them how to engage in such games would go far into helping me understand them better individually.
Another way to further improve the site is to be an ear for the elderly to have and let them know they have a hand to guide them and walk them through the current time in terms of technology and current affairs. They may learn a thing or two, hey, who knows?
Conclusion
The Standard Development Goals in terms of ending poverty everywhere and having good healthcare for all ages will really benefit such an institution if it ever comes to fruition. I however have been beyond humbled by some of the people I have met who selflessly go in on trying to help others even with no pay or compensation at all. It is unaccountably very inspiring.
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