GROPF aims to empower seniors through community initiatives

After hosting a successful Bingo fund-raiser at Douglas Murray Home recently, the Greater Retreat Older Persons Forum (GROPF) wants to create a “dignifying future relationship” with old age homes in the area.

Mercia De Waal, the deputy chairperson of GROPF, said the aim was to unite and “to invest in love, care and hope in empowerment among our seniors". 

About 100 seniors attended the Bingo fund-raiser last month. “Thanks to Douglas Murray Home for their open door for this function. Paying it forward, we blessed our seniors at the Douglas Murray Home with adult diapers,” said Ms de Waal

The GROPF was established 8 years ago when Ms de Waal teamed up with senior veteran Gertrude Schouw (Aunt Gerty), the leader of the Silver Eagles Seniors at CAFDA.

Ms de Waal said: “Through our struggling years, reaching out to the senior clubs, we were not successful. Although we participated in the Golden Games, (a national event where persons older than 65 compete in various sporting codes at provincial level), not all the senior clubs joined us.”

There are currently 10 senior clubs and about 200 members who form part of the forum. The chairpersons of the 10 clubs form part of their executive committee, who meet every second month at the Retreat library, said Ms de Waal. 

If you want to assist the GROPF, contact the deputy secretary,  Faiqah Semaar, at 072 896 8430.