"Feedback" Newsletter

Issue 24

• Mrs Nel, is a pensioner who lives on our city route. She is neat and tidy, friendly and always very grateful for the help that she receives. Mrs Nel has a massive goiter that causes her much discomfort. Last week she was not feeling too well and so she asked a friend to draw some cash from her bank card at the local ATM. A little while later the friend returned and said there was no money in the bank account. When Mrs Nel phoned the bank, they confirmed that her entire pension had been withdrawn by her "friend!" This good friend has since disappeared. (Report From Magnoliahaven Service Centre)

• We deliver meals to a single mother on our Sunnyside route. Recently the State Welfare threatened to take her infant of 3 weeks into their care as she had no financial means of supporting herself and the child. This young mum could not face the prospect of losing her child and she appealed to Meals on Wheels for help. She was immediately placed on our delivery schedule and the Voluntary team soon collected a fair supply of clothing, toiletries, disposable nappies and blankets for the baby. Representation was then made to the State Welfare department and they agreed that this young mum could keep custody of her baby. Since then the father of the child has also agreed to provide monthly support. (Report from Eileen Els - Pretoria)

• Mrs K never received meals from Meals on Wheels but she did take advantage of the free transport service. Every week our driver would drive her to the hospital and then drive her back home. Last week the driver noticed that Mrs K was very unsteady on her feet and, rather than take her home, he brought her to the Meals on Wheels Service Centre where nursing staff were on duty. It was discovered that Mrs K was seriously malnourished. More than this, her relationship with her son was causing her much stress. We persuaded Mrs K to apply for a Pensioner Flat and the application was successful and the Meals on Wheels voluntary helpers assisted in moving her belongings. We now deliver warm and nourishing meals to her home on a regular basis and we are pleased to report that she is quite a different person. Her health has improved greatly and we are happy to report that the relationship with her son has greatly improved. (Report From Brooklyn Service Centre)

• On her way to work, my wife (Service Centre Director in Kimberley) picked up an old man, Piet, who had only one leg and who was struggling along the road on a dilapidated wooden crutch. It turned out that he was on his way to collect his pension, after which he intended to collect his medicines from the hospital. When asked where he lived, he replied "op my plaas" (on my farm). When his business was attended to, and after my wife had arranged a brand new pair of crutches for him, it was my privilege to drive him to his home. "My plaas" (His farm) turned out to be a big tree on an open field. For nearly a year we delivered meals to Piet on "his farm." Finally we were able to re-unite him with his sister who agreed to take him in.

• MOORRESBURG BRANCH: It gives us great pleasure to welcome the Moorresberg branch to the Meals on Wheels family. This branch has been in existence for only a short time but already a great work is being done. Their goal for 2006 / 2007 was to distribute 15,000 meals and food parcels and R12,000 worth of clothing. They managed to distribute 15,307 meals and food parcels, and over R30,000 worth of clothing. Well done team. This branch does not have a Meals on Wheels vehicle and all meals are delivered by way of private cars (donations towards a new or used vehicle will be gratefully received). We trust that this branch will soon find a more suitable venue. (Report from Bertus Brand).

• GEORGE MEALS ON WHEELS: This branch would like to offer a special word of thanks to the Citizens of George for their overwhelming support. Special thanks also goes to the local filling stations who donate all of the fuel that is needed to operate Meals on Wheels in this town. This branch is in urgent need of a bigger stove. Can anyone help? (Report From Mrs Fourie)

• KIMBERLEY MEALS ON WHEELS: At Diakim service center we heard about a young Aids sufferer who was dying of hunger, and unable to walk. He lived as an outcast in a shack. We immediately arranged to deliver meals to him. Within 2 weeks he was up and about and feeling much better and much stronger. He lived a further year and a half before he died. Diakim service centre took care of the funeral arrangements and provided a budget burial as well as catering for friends and family.

On The Lighter Side

KID'S WISDOM

- When asked what most people do on a first date, nine year old Mike replied: “On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.”

- When asked when it is OK to kiss someone, eight year old Kathy responded, “Never kiss in front of other people.  It’s a big embarrassing thing if anybody sees you. But if nobody sees you, I might be willing to try it with a handsome boy, but just for a few hours.”

- When asked if it is better to be single or to be married, seven year old Kenny replied, “It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I’m just a kid. I don’t need that kind of trouble.”

- When asked why people fall in love, nine year old Jan answered, “No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That’s why perfume and deodorant are so popular.”

ALZHEIMER'S AT ITS BEST: An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house, and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen.

The two gentleman were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly."

The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?"

The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What's the name of that flower you give someone you love? You know... The one that's red and has thorns."

"Do you mean a rose?"

"Yes, that's the one," replied the man.

He then turned towards the kitchen and yelled, "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"

THE HEARING AID: An elderly gentleman had had serious hearing problems for a number of years, so he went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted with a set of hearing aids that allowed him to hear almost perfectly.

One month later the elderly gentleman returned to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again."

The elderly gentleman replied, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to their conversation. I've changed my will three times!"

COMMUNION ON THE DUMP: The voluntary helpers in Kimberley regularly deliver meals to the + - 150 people living on the city dumps. One day, as we approached the dump, one of the men shouted out at the top of his voice - "Friends (manne) - here comes our Holy Communion!."

FOOLING THE TOOTH FAIRY: While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4 year old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was always intrigued by the various appliances that are used by the aged, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs. One day, as we were visiting a bedridden pensioner, I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As we walked outside, I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, but she merely turned and whispered, "The tooth fairy will never believe this!"

Notable Quotes

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. (Mahatma Gandi)

The practice of forgiveness is our most important contribution to the healing of the world. (Marianne Williamson)

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. (Glenn Turner)

Health Tips

Nose bleeds: Lightly sniff cold water with a little salt or lemon juice added

Hiccups: Hold your breath as long as you can, then swallow when you think a hiccup is coming. Do that 2 - 3 times. Then take a deep breath and begin again.

Sunburn: Massage aloe vera ointment or tea tree oil on the sun burnt area.

(Information courtesy of the Natural Remedies Encyclopedia)

Thank You To All

Our heartfelt thanks to every one of our supporters. Once again this year you have all excelled yourselves - and the proof is visible in our growing service level, our expansion into new districts, and our ability to help more and more people besides the aged.

For the third year in succession Flight Centre have donated a wonderful sum of R48 000 to Meals on Wheels in the form of Pick 'n Pay vouchers. These vouchers were evenly distributed amongst the Meals on Wheels branches.

A big Thank You to all the Curves Gyms for donating truck loads of non-perishable food to Meals on Wheels.

THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU

Observations
by George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but we have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or just ignore it...

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.