CSR: Bringing Hope and Compassion to the Elderly – By Naomi Gateri

When you visit Nyumba Ya Wazee (Home for the Elderly), you might not immediately notice the extent of its needs. From the gate to the rooms, the facility is perfectly clean, decorated with flowers and grass, and boasts of well-structured buildings. It exudes an air of order.

However, beyond this exterior face, the home, located off Thika Road, opposite Kasarani Stadium, serves 74 elderly individuals enrolled from poor backgrounds, those abandoned, and the vulnerable. Here, the elderly are enriched spiritually, emotionally, and socially, which improves their quality of life and helps them live longer.

Founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan in France, this international congregation of Roman Catholic women, also known as Little Sisters of the Poor, has grown to embody the virtues of empathy, care, and dignity for the aged. Their mission is not just a call to service, but a lived experience, offering sanctuary to the elderly who are impoverished, abandoned, or vulnerable, in over 30 countries worldwide.

Little Sisters of the Poor operates on the foundational belief that every elderly individual, regardless of race or religion, deserves a place to call home — a haven where they are not just accepted, but welcomed with the reverence one would accord to Jesus himself.

“This home is not merely a place of shelter, but a space where the elderly can experience the warmth and closeness of a family, ensuring that their final years are marked by dignity and love,” said Sister Anne, of the home.

Little Sisters of the Poor in Kenya was established in 1985 and has two homes, one in Kasarani, Nairobi, and another in Mombasa. The facility in Kasarani has grown from a modest two-wooden-structure establishment serving five individuals to a modern complex with seven residential blocks, each housing 16 rooms.

With no specific regular donors, the home depends on erratic donations from well-wishers from various organisations and individuals to meet their basic needs.

As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, SRC, led by Commissioner Nelly Ashubwe, visited the home, and donated a variety of food and non-food items. During a tour of the home, the joy and fulfilment that came from engaging with the residents, sharing stories, and creating memorable moments, were priceless. SRC’s presence was a gift of love and companionship to those who often feel forgotten.

“We believe everyone has a unique talent or gift that can make a significant difference in the lives of the residents. Your contribution, whether it be your time, resources, or simply your presence, can illuminate the lives of many at Nyumba Ya Wazee,” said Commissioner Ashubwe.

“From lending a hand in daily tasks such as meal service, cleaning, kitchen duties, or laundry, to just spending quality time with the residents, your involvement brings immeasurable joy and comfort to their hearts,” she added.

Commissioner Ashubwe called on Kenyans to visit the home and see for themselves the difference a day spent in the home makes, not just for the residents, but for the visitor. “Together, let us create a nurturing environment where every elderly person feels valued, loved, and part of a larger family,” she concluded.

The Sisters at the home welcomed everyone to donate and volunteer personal time to assist at the home. “This haven for the elderly thrives on the generous support of the community through donations and volunteering,” said Sister Rosalita. Donations such as food, cleaning detergents, diapers, clothes, payment of electricity tokens, and cash to pay workers, are welcome.

In a world where the elderly can often feel overlooked or forgotten, the effort of the Little Sisters of the Poor, and their partners, offer a powerful reminder of the dignity and respect that all human beings deserve, especially as they approach the end of their journey.

The work initiated by Saint Jeanne Jugan over a century ago continues to thrive, thanks to those who are dedicated to the cause. The well-wishers come from various walks of life, yet they share a common goal — to care for and accompany the elderly into their twilight years.