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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug.1 (EMN): The 15th foundation day of the Senior Citizen's Home, organised by the Good Samaritan Women Society (GSWS), was celebrated with gaiety at Meriema in Kohima on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Neithonuo Liegise, managing director of the nursing home, stated that the celebration was organised as a "thanksgiving day to God". "Today we are celebrating the 15th anniversary of God's faithfulness and His goodness," she said.
The event was celebrated with 24 residents (elderly people), members of Good Samaritan Society, the management board of the Senior Citizen's Home and its staff.
Liegise informed that the erstwhile Nursing Home was changed into Senior Citizen's Home with advice from the ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. She narrated the history on how the Senior Citizen's Home came into being since 2005 at D Block from a rented building and later to High School area and finally to its permanent site at Meriema, near High Court.
She informed that initially they have started voluntarily without any grant-in aid for 12 years until the project was accepted by the ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2016 with a grant-in aid for the maintenance of the home.
Ligiese updated that currently they have 24 senior citizens between the age of 60 to 92 at the home. She also informed that an elderly woman passed away last year. She apprised that more than 30 residents of the home have peacefully passed away after living a happy life. Ligiese added that they have received all the love and care and the medical treatments. She has acknowledged the department of Social Welfare, army, churches, organisations and well-wishers for their continued support.
The vision of the Senior Citizen's Home is to provide quality care to the destitute senior citizens, provide shelter, nutrition and healthcare to those who do not have own children and family to look after them or neglected by families at their old age in the state.
She informed that the admission criteria is 60 years above. However, with the present situation, she stated that no admission is taken to the home as it could provide shelter to only 25 persons.
"The Home is providing facilities on charity basis with no fees," she said and added "Our project is covering only within the state". At present, there are 24 beneficiaries are from 12 tribes.
Some cannot communicate in Nagamese and have to communicate through body language and action only, Liegise said.
The Home is run by Good Samaritan Women Society, a Government registered society. The Society was awarded with Social Welfare Department Special Award in 2013 for its contribution in the field of elderly care.
Liegise also informed that they have planned to open recreation centre for senior citizens in Kohima. The society is planning to extend senior citizens’ home in other districts by next year. A proposal in this regard has been sent to the government for approval and financial assistance.
On the occasion, a 92 year-old Neikienuo Yhome and 87 year-old Se-u Take were made to cut a cake. The staff of the nursing home presented a special song, while Kavini Theunuo, secretary of GSWS chaired the programme.
The members also observed a moment of silence in honour of the departed souls before winding up the programme with a thanksgiving prayer