In a recent issue, Parsi Times had published and applauded the much-needed community service initiative for the elderly – the ‘WAPIZ Helping Hands For Seniors’, the brainchild of WAPIZ Trustee – Karryesh Patel, who has been staunchly devoted to the cause of our community for over a decade. PT catches up with Karryesh to get a first-hand account of the elderly of our community…
“We would like to thank Parsi Times for publishing the article on ‘WAPIZ Helping Hands For Seniors’. We immediately started getting a bevy of calls from all across Mumbai – helpless seniors who have no one to look after them or are unable to clean their homes or have no one to help them with their daily chores or want someone to take them to the bank or the doctor and also some who need someone to just sit and talk to them as a companion would.
Some elders called saying their children were ill-treating them, while some had issues with their neighbours; Some called to say they needed diapers for their bedridden spouses and others requested financial support… so many sad stories.
We also received many messages applauding WAPIZ for initiating the project and saying that this was indeed the need of the hour.
This project is an eye opener about how so many seniors of our community are leading extremely difficult, sad and lonely lives… It’s a sad reflection of our community, that despite knowing there are such helpless people living in one’s neighbourhood, we turn a blind eye. And then, one day, they just pass away and we find out after days and have to break open their doors and declare them ‘lawaris’.
On a brighter note however, I’m delighted to share an update on Katie Aunty… She is very happy now – her house has been thoroughly cleaned and refurbished plumbing and electrical work, and a dabba service has been fixed with Bhesadia Caterers. We are now in the process of getting her an Aadhar Card.
WAPIZ aims to bring about a change and ensure that our seniors live a life of dignity, knowing that there are people they can count on, in their twilight years. Understanding the need for every colony to have a Helpline with volunteers willing to help seniors, we have decided to expand our ‘Helping Hands for Seniors’ project by launching ‘Companions For Our Silvers’.
WAPIZ has received many applications from people looking for jobs – many being above 50 years of age. We wish to hire honest people who will sincerely help our seniors – but not as a free service. Seniors in need of help can connect with us and pay that person Rs. 200/- to Rs. 300/- an hour, to avail their assistance. This arrangement ensures a Win-Win for both – those looking for jobs will get employment and our seniors will get the needed help to get their work done.
WAPIZ will do due diligence and recommend only reliable persons to register with us as ‘Companions’ to our seniors.
