Seniors’ Day Centre reports for February and March

FEB 01 & 04 2013 DAY CENTRE SUMMARY REPORT.
GROUP A: Friday 01/02/2013
GROUP B: Manday 04/02/2013

Activities:
A. STORIES/Brainstorming

Betty started by making stories with elders, jokes and revision on the past discussions. They were able to memorize many discussions done from the beginning of the Day Centre.

B. DISCUSSION

NJOMBE PEOPLE AND CULTURE

As it was proposed by elders in the past visit (January) they were so excited to have a discussion on cultural changes and how they feel and suggest on how life styles change.

George prepared the discussion guide where elders were happily discussing under the following guides:

  • What are the tribes found in Njombe and areas around Njombe (Makete, Ludewa,Mufindi)
  • What are the indicators for culture? How do you know that this is Bena, Kinga, Hehe or Pangwa? (Tribes found in Njombe region)
  • Language
  • Wearing styles
  • Foods
  • Taboos
  • Crafts
  • Social relations
  • Marriages e.t.c
  • How was total way of life in the past years? What are the difference with nowdays? How do elders feel of those changes(Do they like the past or the present)?
  • What are the elders suggestions on cultural changes?

The discussion was very hot and not finished. The elders had the following suggestion after a discussion:

  • The discussion should continue on the next meeting including issues like marriages and family planning.
  • The discussion made them to feel like they are in the past days when they were young
  • They also proposed that we should make a simple book that will contain the stories and the past cultures to help young boys and girls know how life was in their community.

C. Gifts giving

At the end of disscussion very elder was given a useful item to take home

  • 1 kg of sugar
  • 1 bar of laundry soap

Once again our elders health is improving each day, and are less worried of the issue of proper health care,as they are sure of free treatment as provided by TANWAT Hospital through the DAY CENTRE.

Quoting Mr M:
"sickness and diseases are always afraid to attack human beings when it's certain there is access to treatment whenever needs be"
Mr M. said as a joke but deep inside his heart he was more than serious.

We thank everyone who make this a reality.

Regards,
Edmund J M
Team Leader

This report was prepared in collaboration with George Sanga.

March meeting:

GROUP A: Friday 01/02/2013
GROUP B: Manday 04/02/2013

Activities:
A. INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITIES

Elders practised the health game that they were taught last year by a student nurse Joyce from McGill university of Canada. (Health breathing). Stories among each other is one of the things that elders like to start with every time when they meet at the Day centre.

B. DISCUSSION

NJOMBE PEOPLE AND CULTURE (MARRIAGE)

As it was proposed by elders in the past visit (February), the topic about culture in Njombe comminities was continued to be discussed. At this time they liked much to talk about marriage.

George did lead the elders to prepared the discussion guides, where elders wanted the following to be the basis of the discussion:

  • What were the marriage procedures that were to be followed in their times according to Njombe people?s culture?
  • Engagement
  • Sharing the decisions to parents
  • Bride price
  • Social relations with inlaws
  • Divorce
  • What are the difference with nowadays? How do elders feel of those changes(Do they like the past or the present)?
  • What are the elders suggestions on cultural changes?

The disscussion was very hot and ended by every elder to express his/her feelings on how culture has changed. They also sang some past traditional songs that they used to sing in their wedding ceremonies.

The elders had the following suggestion after a discussion:

  • The discussion should continue on the next meeting discussing the left part family planning.

C. Gifts giving

Every one was given

  • 1 kg of sugar
  • 1 bar of laundry soap

(They were asked for how long do they use the gifts in their families; they said it differ from one another depending on how many have to use. There are some elders who live with their grandchildren as dependents.)

NB: The researches should be conducted more and more to find out what are other social and basic needs of elders in order to know what kind of help they would like most. The elders are thankful on all that the DAY CENTRE is doing to them.

"May GOD bless all who have a contribution of any kind to this centre," one elder said with high feelings.

Tanwat day center wishes everyone a Happy Easter!

This report was prepared in collaboration with George Sanga (Teacher)

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