Let’s do it together - life in peace and dignity for the aged!

Mulele OPV is a home for elderly and disabled people in Mpanshya, in Rufunsa District and beyond, two hour’s drive east of Lusaka. It is one of only a few such homes in Zambia. Mulele OPV was founded in 2012 and is a Zambian PACRA registered NGO and public benefit organization, registration number 120160003246.

 

The institution is run by the board of directors consisting of the following:

1. One nominee representing Chieftainess Mpanshya

2. One nominee representing headmen's council

3. One nominee representing Social Welfare department

4.One nominee representing St. Luke's mission Hospital

5.Two nominees representing the community of Mpanshya, knowledgeable and interested in the future of Mulele OPV and any other member as seen fit and guided by Mulele OPV Articles of Association.

 

 It is situated at Mpanshya mission about 190km east of Lusaka on the great east road.

 

Mulele OPV was built with the assistance of comundo, a swiss based development organisation, the Germany Embassy of Lusaka, Irish Embassy of Lusaka, the Netherlands and the local community

 

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 

The aim of Mulele OPV is to provide a place where vulnerable elderly persons and persons with disabilities can live a life in peace and dignity.

The main objectives are:

  a) To provide these people with accommodation, food and care and also support the needy elderly persons that live with their families in the villages (Outreach program) with mealie-meal, groceries and other daily necessities.

b) To establish an organization, able to maintain the program in the long term according to standards provided by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

 

3. RESIDENTS

The institution has two blocks of five (5) rooms each and can offer accommodation for up to twenty (20) residents at the station. We currently have six (6) residents of which five (5) are males and one (1) female.

 

Residents come from Rufunsa district and beyond as demand for our services is growing since it offers the old people confidence and peace of mind in their last chapter of their lives.

 

4.     ACTIVITIES

The following are the main activities:

a)     Outreach program: This is where we look after the vulnerable elderly that live with their families in the village with food and other daily necessities every month.

b)     Rented houses: We rent out twelve (12) low-cost houses as an income generating activity.

c)     Fields and garden: Since we cannot afford to buy all the food, we grow maize and other crops and a garden to supplement food for our old people.

d)     Bakery: Our bakery uses wood stove for baking since we are currently not able to acquire electrical baking ovens. We bake bread, buns, scones, pizzas at request, rolls, cakes and other sweets.

e)     Social services: Old people admitted at the institution come because they have no one to look after them. In case of death, Mulele OPV takes charge of all funeral costs like coffin, digging the grave, burying, food for the mourners and transport to and from the burial place.

 

5.     PROJECTS

a)     Electricity: We recently got connected to the national grid although not all buildings were connected due to lack of enough funds.

b)     Plastering of buildings: All our buildings are not plastered both inside and outside except for the twelve (12) rented houses which are plastered and painted inside only.

c)     Beds: Our residents’ beds are made of bricks with a mattress on top. This is not conducive for the old people’s home as if is also difficult for the rooms to be cleaned.

d)     Project vehicle: We don’t have a vehicle at the station and this makes our work difficult and expensive by hiring transport for all our work. Our main shopping center is Lusaka, 190km away.

e)     Running costs: Initially, income from houses and other IGAs, were enough for running cost but this is no longer the case due to ever increasing cost of living.

f)      Borehole: Our only borehole is not enough to cover all the activities of the institution.

 

6.    OUR NEEDS

The current total income is not enough to sustain the seven (6) residents at the center, thirty (30) outreach beneficiaries and nine (8) volunteers.

a)     Electricity: part of the money for connection was secured from some donors. This resulted in some structures being connected and some not. Therefore, our request is for the top up funds so that all structures are connected.

 

b)    Borehole: Our only borehole is not enough to cover all the activities of the institution. The community comprises of the following:

1)     13 tenants (families)

2)     A garden

3)     An orchard

4)     Staff and elderly

5)     Local community.

Therefore, a donation of an extra borehole would adequately support the current water requirements.

 

c)     Change of organic to waterborne toilets: Our rented houses were constructed with organic toilets. But now it has proved not workable due to large families. A donation of funds or building materials will greatly suffice for the change.

 

d)    Plastering of buildings: Most of our building are not plastered both inside and outside except for the twelve (12) rented houses that are plastered and painted only inside. Our old people sleep in unplastered rooms hence our humble request for any donations towards the improvement of these rooms.

 

e)     Beds and mattresses: Elderly people need a comfortable environment in order for them to live a little longer and enjoy the last days of their life. Currently our elderly sleep on beds made of bricks. Therefore, any kind donation of beds, mattresses and beddings, etc, will be greatly appreciated.

 

f)      Administration: Our offices need Stationery to run. Any humble assistance will be appreciated greatly in improving our services.

 

g)     Project vehicle: We have no vehicle at the station and this makes our work very difficult and expensive. There are very few vehicles that we can hire to withstand the terrain of the area. We also do our most shopping in Lusaka which is about 190km away.

Therefore, a donation of a vehicle would help us with the inconveniences of hiring.

 

h)    Food: The cost of feeding the old is very high as good health is a very important factor in ageing. Therefore, the aged need good nutrition in order to protect them from chronic diseases associated with old age such as diabetes, hypertension, poor eye-sight, memory lapses, arthritis etc. The following are the foods we need for our elderly.

1)                    Meat

2)                    Beans

3)                    Soya-pieces

4)                    Eggs

5)                    Chickens

6)                    Salt

7)                    Sugar

8)                    Cooking oil

9)                    Vegetables

10)                Mealie-meal

11)                Milk

 

i)      Medical fees: Good health being a very important factor in ageing, there is need for good support in this area. Most health centers being poorly equipped, we are forced to purchase or seek medical services from other sources which require payment. Any assistance in this regard will be appreciated.

 

j)      Cleaning materials: Elderly persons need a sterile and safe environment. Therefore, any donation in form of disinfectants, washing fluids and utensils, like buckets, brooms, mops, etc, will be of great help to the old people’s home

 

Thank you very much for being interested in our institution.