Nthatuoa Koeshe
AVANI Hotels recently fed 450 elderly people as part of the Rata oa heno wellness day celebrations at Masianokeng in Maseru on Friday.
Celebrated annually, Rata oa heno Wellness Day celebrations are meant to appreciate the Rata oa heno Development Centre, an organisation that takes care of the disadvantaged and the elderly in Masianokeng and other neighbouring villages. Rata oa heno Development Centre was founded on 31 August 1999.
This year’s celebrations were sponsored by Lesotho PostBank, AHF, Lesotho Dairy and Parkside Pharmacy.
A health specialist from Mohlomo Hospital was also invited to educate the elderly people about some of the illnesses that they may suffer from due to advanced age like dementia.
The police band provided entertainment and kept most of the elderly on their feet throughout the proceedings. Activities like Mokhibo and Litsoanya also spiced up the celebrations.
Avani Hotels Human Resources Manager, Lesekelo Makara, who is also responsible for the company’s corporate social initiatives (CSI) said they were approached by the Rata oa heno Development Centre last year and decided to take part in the celebrations.
“They approached us soliciting for support and we came on board,” Mr Makara said.
He said they found it easy to partner with the organisation since their CSI component focusses on vulnerable masses.
Mr Makara said last year they also participated in the event and provided food items for 300 people.
“This year we did the same but for a bigger number because we are aware that they are celebrating their 20th anniversary,” he said adding that they would still participate in the event next year.
Chairperson of Rata oa heno Development Centre, Setabele Kamohi, who has benefited from the association since 1999, pleaded with the country’s leadership to help them grow the association.
He said although the association is now present in constituencies such as Qeme, Thaba Bosiu and Koro-Koro, they need help to develop it to help the elderly in those constituencies.
“This association helps us a lot in terms of bringing health services closer to old people.
“We get assistance from different people in the form of clothes, food and skills to enable us start projects which will help us generate income such as sewing and breeding chickens and pigs.
“We are thankful to companies such as Avani for their help in making this event a success,” Mr Kamohi said.