At The Somerset, our residents believe in the power of giving back. They experience joy and satisfaction from making a positive impact on the world around them – especially at Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. Whether through volunteer work, donations, or small acts of kindness, they are committed to showing compassion and empathy for those less fortunate. Creating a sense of community, building trust, and strengthening relationships through giving, and making a difference, are synonymous with our residents.

Our residents aim to create sustainable sources of nutritious food while also fostering a sense of community engagement and empowerment. By providing access to fresh produce and promoting gardening skills, the garden in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village has produced its first batch of fresh spinach.

We are excited to announce that the spinach has been harvested and is now being used in the meals prepared by Fiela Opperman. Fiela runs six soup kitchens and has been a lifelong resident of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.

The joy of witnessing the entire cycle from seedlings to planting, growing, harvesting, cooking, and sharing is beyond words. This significant accomplishment will undoubtedly benefit the Sir Lowry’s Pass Village community.

We are excited to announce that we are starting work on our third vegetable patch with the help of our Grounds Guru at The Somerset. Gerrit is taking time out of his lunch break to guide us, and we are very grateful for his help. The gardeners have also received a generous donation of clothes from the residents of The Somerset. Together, we are not only growing vegetables but also building a supportive community.

Our next project is to create a vegetable garden in the creche area.

Every day, this single pot of food sustains 30 children in need. Lee Alberts resides in the informal settlement of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, where she selflessly prepares meals for vulnerable children and others in the community.

Lillie and Susan’s (Friends of Seed of Hope) act of knitting beanies demonstrates such kindness and warmth. It’s heartening to know that their efforts brought happiness to those in need at the Village. The blankets provided by the residents will surely make a significant difference in keeping everyone warm during the winter months. It’s amazing how these simple acts of generosity can create such a positive impact on the community.

All the toys donated by our residents were distributed to three different creches. The children were overjoyed and sent us messages to express their gratitude. The joy of giving is the greatest joy of life.

Three children who will participate in the “Truth to Kids” weekend camp received clothing donated by The Somerset residents. Witnessing the joy and happiness on their faces as they received these donations was truly heartwarming and uplifting.

The staff and children of “Tiny Tots Creche” in the village received special gifts: homemade soap with a Bible verse attached, donated by friends of “Seed of Hope.”

Seed of Hope has fostered a fantastic bond with the “Village Collaboration NPC,” known for their vibrant engagement in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. They actively contribute to empowerment endeavors, offering diverse skill development opportunities to pave the way for a brighter future. We align closely with their vision, and they graciously provide us with a structural platform to engage as a dedicated group of residents from The Somerset Retirement Village. Below are pics from the Therapy sessions/Games Room/Training/Medical/Kinder Garden.

Today, we hosted a class on detecting and monitoring blood pressure and sugar levels for the moms at the soup kitchen. Some of the ladies were eager to learn, and they did very well.

Sir Lowry’s Pass Village received a generous delivery of clothing collected from The Somerset, which was a great help for its residents. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we visited the training centre and had the privilege of meeting Colleen Pienaar, the dedicated leader of the centre, and several other community members who are committed to improving village life. While many essential needs were addressed, there was a clear focus on the necessity for warm clothing, blankets, and undergarments, emphasizing the urgent need for these provisions to support the well-being of the community, especially with winter approaching.

We are truly amazed by the “can do” attitude of this talented resident from Uitkyk who is a phenomenal artist despite his disability. His determination and talent are truly awe-inspiring. In a Wendy house, six adults live together, while the children are out looking after the sheep. Our residents came together to donate bedcovers and a clean bucket to help them fetch water.

Aunty Wendy lives in the middle of Rasta Camp and loves gardening. She has a beautiful garden in front of her Wendy House.

This resident from Sir Lowry’s Pass village volunteers at a Crèche in Rasta Camp. The gas cylinder will be very handy for warming up food for the children.

So many of us throw away empty bottles or containers. For these villagers, they make a difference as they could use those bottles/containers for making art projects.

This lady lives in Railway, and recently they lost part of their Wendy house during heavy winds. By donating all our whiteboards to fix up some parts of the Wendy house on the inside, it enabled the family to be better prepared for the coming winter. Kindness gives hope to those who think they are all alone in this world.

71-year-old Oupa Peter and his wife live in a new area, but neither of them are currently employed. Oupa Peter mentioned that both he and his wife are unwell, and he is doing his best to provide for them. They often rely on food from Aunty Joy’s Soup Kitchen. They are also in the process of obtaining their documents for old age SASSA support.

The generous clothing donations from our residents have made a significant difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. Their contributions have provided warmth, comfort, and dignity to those in need, demonstrating the compassion and solidarity within our community.

No matter where we are in life or what our current schedule looks like, there is always a way to make a difference in somebody’s life.

“Too often, we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia.

Scatter seeds of kindness wherever you go.