Soldiers for Jesus MC bring continued hope to seniors

The Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club (SFJMC) learnt that the Johannesburg Association for the Aged (Jafta) would close its doors after 60 years of serving the aged in September 2021.

However, the SFJMC intervened because this violated the rights of older persons and was an act of alleged elder abuse as contemplated in the Older Persons Act.

The Directorate Enforcing Older Persons Rights (DEOPR) then took care of the residents remaining on the premises, hence the birth of the DEOPR Caring Facility under the watchful eye of Hennie Els, a forensic audit special investigator who has been involved with the aged community and lobbied for their rights for 24 years.

The national president of the SFJMC, Russell Jones, shared, “The facility closed its doors because of financial constraints and poor financial management. It was left with a serious financial burden, but they started to overcome those challenges under the care of good management.”

The DEOPR has expanded its professional knowledge, leadership and present entities, such as:

• the Victim Empowerment Programme: This division will investigate cases of elder abuse and ensure successful prosecution;

• the Caregivers and Health Promotion Officers Council

(CHPC): The aim is to have a regulating authority for this sector;

• the DEOPR catering services;

• the DEOPR hyperbaric oxygen chamber services;

• the DEOPR caring and frail facility for the aged.

Additionally, it came to the SFJMC’s attention last year that before the takeover by the DEOPR, the Jafta home was mildly neglected.

The team laid out a plan that started with a fundraiser for the biking community in February. It drew 600 supporters and raised about R40 000.

Jones said, “We are grateful for the participation of the Outcasts MC, the Immortal Guardians MC, the Forgotten Souls MC and the Wild Bunch MC for their contribution to making the event successful.”

The funds will buy items on the DEOPR’s needs list. The first item will be 400l of paint for the roof and walls.
The SFJMC team want to create public awareness about the facility’s needs and appeal to businesses, churches and the public to help with the items on the list.

The team is also trying to solve a washing machine issue. The present units do not work properly because they were built in 1958.

Some of the things needed:

• Interior and exterior paint;

• Laundry and kitchen equipment;

• Patient monitoring systems;

• Oxygen concentrators;

• Galvanised pipes – the existing piping has rotted from age and corrosion;

• Taps;

• LED Lights;

• Corrugated iron sheets;

• An electric fence;

• Cleaning chemicals;

• A large name board at the entrance;

• Tools for maintenance;

• Cement or concrete;

• Chroma deck plates for three lapas for a training centre;

• Furniture for the empty rooms;

• Dining room tables and suitable chairs;

• Ceiling boards;

• Tiles;

• Soap and toiletries;

• Seeds, plants and shrubs for the garden, including gardening tools;

• Uniforms and PPE for staff;

• Solar to mitigate load-shedding and load-reduction.

The SFJMC is focusing on revitalising the facility and raising awareness about the continued challenges facing the elderly care sector.

It’s clear that with community support, the DEOPR can continue to offer dignified care to seniors and help protect their rights.

Pay donations to:

Standard Bank;

Account number: 420382172;

Account type: current.

Add your initials and surname as a reference.

For more information, contact 082 552 4528 or losdigit@sfjmc.com