On Sunday, July 28th, Father Julius Muthamba of Holy Family Kabati parish led a heartfelt celebration dedicated to Grandparents and the Elderly, aligning with the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
The event was marked by a special partnership with the Vincent Munyoki Foundation, reflecting a community-wide effort to honor and support the elderly. The initiative aimed to highlight the significance of elder members in the society and their invaluable contributions to family and community life.
The celebration took place at Kabati Parish, where the Vincent Munyoki Foundation generously donated over 200 blankets and Masai sheets to elderly Catholics in Kitui West Constituency. This gesture was designed to help the elderly keep warm during the cold seasons, addressing a crucial need among this vulnerable population. The distribution of these items symbolized the community’s commitment to caring for its older members, ensuring they are not forgotten or neglected.
In his address, Father Muthamba emphasized the importance of families providing food, shelter, and love to their elderly members. He called on the national government to implement more efficient methods for delivering financial support to the elderly, suggesting the use of mobile transfers to avoid the congestion and inconvenience often experienced at banks.
His plea highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the elderly in accessing their entitled benefits, and the need for systemic improvements to support their dignity and well-being.
Dr. Vincent Munyoki, patron of the Vincent Munyoki Foundation, echoed these sentiments, urging the government to ensure that the elderly receive special healthcare treatment. He also encouraged church members to honor the elderly to tap into their blessings, stressing the value of recognizing and respecting the contributions of older generations.
Furthermore, Dr. Munyoki advocated for national campaigns to educate caregivers on the nutritional and physical exercise needs of the elderly, promoting a holistic approach to their care.
This year’s celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, established by Pope Francis and first held on July 25, 2021, carried the theme “Do not cast me off in my old age” (Psalm 71:9). The event, now in its fourth year, continues to grow in significance, reinforcing the call to cherish and support the elderly.
The day’s activities at Holy Family Kabati parish underscored a collective responsibility to ensure that our grandparents and elders are treated with the respect and care they deserve, reflecting the community’s enduring values of compassion and solidarity.
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