By Mabinty Kamara
The management and residents of Sierra Leone’s only official home for the aged have chastised government for neglecting the institution leaving them virtually dependent on hand-outs.
King George IX Memorial Home for the elderly was established in 1988 under the auspices of the government which later transferred control over to the Sierra Leone Society for the Welfare of the Aged.
Part of the agreement leading to transfer of management was that the facility will get a yearly subvention. This hasn’t been forthcoming for a pretty long time, said Hannah Deen, its Treasurer.
The home which is located in Grafton in the outskirts of the capital, Freetown, has an 80-bed capacity. But it presently accommodates 35 residents who are cared for by a staff of 21 people.
Deen told Politico in an interview that the home had been seriously challenged financially so that payment of staff salary had become a problem. The staff has gone for four months without salary, she said.
“Not because we don’t want to pay them, but it’s because we don’t have the money,” she added.
For long time now King George has depended on donations from charities and individual humanitarians, like the sports betting company Mercury International which on Tuesday made a donation of Le20M to the home.
“We run the home from donations that come in from individuals, churches and charity organization like Mercury International,” said Ms Deen.
“We practically beg with letters from office to office, just to ensure that the people get what they need whiles they stay at the Home.”
She said the financial constraint explained why they accommodate less than the maximum capacity of residents.
“These are old people we are talking about. And some of them are physically challenged as you can see. Some are blind, some can’t walk independently; they need the help of people who can assist them in everything they do. And there is not enough money to pay the staff,” she lamented.
Deen said they had made all efforts to get government’s support through the Ministry of Social Welfare but that this has proven futile.
“We wrote several letters to the ministry… but they never responded nor have they come for even a day to visit and know [about] the welfare of the residents.”
“I don’t have any message for the government because; I am tired of wasting fruitless efforts on trying to get them do what they ought to do,” she said, in a despondent tone, when asked if she had anything which she wanted the government to do for the home.
She could only appeal for more support from private organizations and individuals.
“Anything you can afford to offer the home …it is highly appreciated. Some people have been bringing a bag of rice to the home and some, clothing materials. Let’s help them because we don’t know how our own very end is going to be like. Some of the residents are pensioners and they have worked in the civil service and today they are here,” Deen pleaded.
Kadiatu Conteh, a senior staff at the home who has worked there for over 30 years, lamented the effect of delay in their salary payment.
“It has not been easy for us because we have our homes and children’s school fees to pay. Going without pay for such a long time has affected us a lot but we are encouraged by the fact that they are elderly people who need our help. I know that I will one day get old and be in need of someone else’s support,” Conteh said.
Vivian Dill Sworth, a 70-year old blind resident, wondered why the Ministry of Social Welfare has failed to fulfill its obligation to provide the subvention for the home.
“If the home is constrained financially, it will definitely affect us. Even the quality of the food served will reduce. Water supply is another problem that we face here especially in the dry,” she said.
The Director of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs wouldn’t talk to Politic o without permission from the Minister.
(C) Politico 24/05/16
