A big hello to the North Bay Lodge Family
Spring crept in a lot slower and later than expected. One can feel the anticipation of longer nights, earlier mornings and fun days ahead. Fortunately flu wasn’t intense in our home this year, perhaps the flu vaccine the residents had in May and their general good health were the ideal buffers.
It was bustle of activity these last few months with Heritage Day celebrations, Friendship Bingo, outdoor trips, health walk’s and a rock festival at North Bay, the days sped quickly to the Christmas Party. We also lost another beloved resident in October.
As is evident, lots of activities and happenings filled the last quarter of the year. I’ve shared some snippets below, enjoy the read.
Art
NBL’s art teacher has been helping and guiding our residents to create some magical pieces of work. Their fine motor skills being honed. Below is a random selection of their art. Residents confidence is growing – we know they are enjoying this activity when we no longer have to search for them at Art time as they are already seated and waiting commencement.
Imvula Games
It was fun and games for our residents who took part in the second Imvula Games hosted by Paula van Eeden of Imvula Therapy Centre held at Golden Hours School. The games are structured to encourage participation from all residents. We were excited that 20 residents participated.
It was heartwarming to see some of our Grantors show up to support us. They cheered and encouraged our residents. In the final analysis, all our residents were winners!
Jojo Tanks
Everyone would have experienced the challenges of intermittent water interruptions. Literally it meant carrying a number of buckets, resorting to bucket elements at bath time for 40 residents almost twice a day.
Given the nature of our facility and the number of users, running water is an all day requirement. We were super excited about the timeous installation of 5 JoJo tanks providing 30,000 litres, that equates 15days of water supply for the entire facility.
This has permanently put to bed our water woes. We are grateful and super relieved.
Suncoast Food Court day
We detect “cabin fever” ever so often. Residents spend 365 days within the walls of NBL, hence it becomes important to get them out to experience new surroundings and do something different, especially those residents that don’t visit their family homes intermittently during the year.
It is an exciting expedition for the residents (logistical stretch for us) to get everyone to the food court to have “take-out” in a restaurant setting. Sun Coast allows for a safe environment and access to the beach.
Residents are competent and save their money (from their wages doing household chores) to treat themselves to Kentucky, Steers, SomeThingFishy, Debonairs or Wimpy. Everyone had a happy day, as the pics convey!
Bingo
Our residents are hyped about their outings to any event outside of NBL that involves transporting them and being in a different environment. It’s the whole dress up, travel and destination that gives them a memorable experience.
The Bingo Morning hosted at Mothwa Haven in Glenwood was no different. We took 22 residents who participated and “cleaned” the boards, walking away with most of the prizes. Lady Luck was certainly on their side. Thank you Mothwa Haven for hosting another excellent event!
We record our heartfelt gratitude to the Vice Principal and Management of Northlands Girls in Durban North for sponsoring transport and their driver for our residents to and from Mothwa Haven.
Birthdays
Birthdays are such a big event at NBL. We ensure it’s celebrated with pomp and ceremony. Residents are lavished with attention and end the day with an afternoon birthday celebration. We all agree, it’s copious amounts of cake and treats all month round when one considers there’s an average of 4 per month. Hence we closely manage their diets the rest of the month.
Natalie
Ivor
Biggie
Che
Jenny
Dominique
These were just some of the birthdays celebrated in the weeks before. The smiles, dress up and décor tell the story of celebration all the way with song, speeches and dance. As we say, any excuse for a feel-good party!
Rest Well Prem – 14/01/1955 to 07/10/2023
After a few years of protracted illness and being in a wheelchair, Prem passed on on 7th October. Late Prem was Dr Visegan Subrayen’s (NBL Chairman) mum. She was a resident for over 22 years (many of the later years on a more permanent basis). Grantors will remember her in the earlier years as the pretty, vibrant, stylish, feisty resident at North Bay. She will be fondly remembered by the NBL community. We convey our heartfelt sympathies to Dr Visegan and family.
Out and About
Afternoon out in the Park
We gathered the troops and took them on a spontaneous trip out to North Beach for a walk on the pier. Residents then went into the Sun Coast complex to see the sea statue displays. It made for a memorable afternoon for all.
Thank you for your sponsorhips & volunteer work
Henry’s Transport
We undertook to reinforce the western bank (Flea market side) which was collapsing with the incessant summer rains. The alternative to a brick wall (costly) for that extensive area was to reinforce the bank with vetiver grass. We record our sincere appreciation to Henry’s Transport for their awesome sponsorship of equipment (bobcats, graders), sand and labour for our bank project. The preparation of filling tons of sand and compacting the bank helped us get ready for the plant and keep this project at a reduced cost. We are so grateful that your sponsorship helped us successfully complete this project with minimum difficulty. We are prepared for the summer forthwith.
St Martins Church
We salute our “angels” from St Martins Church – Sharon Libertrau, Helen Evans & your amazing team (Angie, Leslie, Rita) for faithfully serving our facility year after year! We value you!!
We are humbled and deeply appreciative of your care, time, effort and generosity for our residents.
Sponsors of Garden Benches
Thank you to Duncan Mundell for the 2 recyclable sturdy benches sponsored. They are such a lovely addition to our garden and used regularly by our residents.
We also acknowledge previous sponsor of the first 2 garden benches – Ronald Korevaar. He sponsored this in memory of his sister Gillian, who passed away early 2021, just after Covid.
Its Christmas Time again – Celebrating the Year!
THANK YOU our dear Sponsors for all your donations which helped make this year-end celebration a bumper one for our staff and residents! Each year the excitement is greater and so is the cheer.
We are truly thankful to PCC for again sponsoring the large tent that housed residents, staff and suppliers. We were able to keep out the blistering sun whilst gifting our residents and staff and treating them to a sumptuous year-end lunch.
We record our sincere appreciation to Mr Alan Moonsamy (Presley’s dad) and his full band for providing live entertainment for 5 hours, gratis! The music was tops! The band members took leave from work to play at our party. Nothing like a full band to make a party next level!
Our residents and guests attired to the theme participated in most of the programme items and danced the afternoon away! Thank you Garth, you really were superb as “Mother Christmas” – one of the best we have seen in our lifetime!
We thank the following sponsors: Denise Lord, Robyn Longe, JP Maurel, Jim Cockburn, Darell Worthington, Derrick Shell, Toni & Torino brothers, Mary Ann Layfield, Astrid Fenton, Mrs Rose, Karena Gentles, Mary Ann Gouws, Gail Whittal, Peter Coutts, Anne Hollinshead, Michael Stettler, Angela Leigh, Blanche Maree, Harish Mehta, Kogie – Hair Konel, Wendy Robinson, Kiran Govindasamy.
I take this opportunity to say a humble THANK YOU to our incredible team – Morgan, Wendy, Kiran, Sane & Carers, and Ethekweni Staff – for your dedication and hard work this year. Together we’ve weathered many storms (water & electricity mainly) but you showed what mettle you are all made of and we triumphed at the end.
The best part is watching our residents and staff grow and develop. We are able to serve better and improve the facility and the lives of our residents. We have so many great plans in 2024 and I look forward to another blessed year together.
