St Elizabeth elderly get water tank from Soroptimist Club of Victoria |20 December 2012

The Soroptimist international club of Victoria is a group of professional women who do charitable work and fund-raising in their spare time to help the less fortunate. It is part of an international movement and linked to the Soroptimists of UK.

The water tanks and pumps were installed after relatives of the elderly residents approached the Soroptimists regarding water shortages.  The carers were hard pressed, trying to collect water in basins and other utensils so as to have enough for washing and the toilets.

A visit to the foyer, which houses 20 elderly ladies, confirmed that the situation was critical.

The Soroptimist also noticed that the bathrooms required renovation. The plumbing was redone, showers replaced and safety railing put up, thus rendering the bathrooms more hygienic and safer. Rose-Marie Hoareau of the Soroptimist says the project has cost R45,000.

Special plastic chairs for use in the showers have also been ordered and generously sponsored by Mary Lefèvre.

Thanking the Soroptimist international club of Victoria for its support, Sister Aimée said it has been a long-term partner of the St Elizabeth convent.  She recalled that the previous project undertaken there by the club included renovation works on the ‘Butterfly’ children’s crèche, the kitchen, the orphanage children’s quarters, the building of four extra rooms for the elderly and the renovation of the laundry and kitchen for the elderly.

The Soroptimists also usually spend time with the elderly during the festive season and on Women’s Day when they are presented with hampers and gifts.

Sister Aimée has commended the availability of running water following the installation of the two tanks and the difference it has made to the lives of the residents.

She thanked the club and expressed the wish that it would continue to support the St Elizabeth convent’s Maurice Roh foyer.

In the spirit of Christmas, Soroptimist international club of Victoria chairperson Erica Naidoo and other members of the club also distributed gifts to the residents of the foyer.