86-year-old disabled man finally receives running water

 

The life of an 86 year-old Ramonnanyana Mosala of Ranaka village changed instantly for the better when a standpipe was installed in his yard recently.

The octogenarian with a disability, lives alone and fetching water daily was an impossible task.

He only depended on his neighbours or passers-by that often came to his aid by fetching at least a bucketful of water for him from a public stand pipe.

Some days were literally dry for him, as he could spend days praying to find someone who would be willing to fetch water for him. Because of his disability, even walking is a difficult task.

A Good Samaritan, Pondy Tumedi of Pixies Plug - came to his rescue and made sure that Mosala gets his own stand pipe.

“As a way of giving back to the community, I found out how I could assist in Ranaka village and God directed me to this old man. I had discussions with a former colleague, Abel Moepjwa with whom I used to work at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital.

“He referred me to one of the Council members, who identified the elderly gentleman living alone in a yard without running water,” Tumedi explained.

She then decided to pay all the fees associated with installing water for Mosala and also paid one year’s water bill for him. When handing over the project, she also bought food hampers to brighten the 86-year-old man’s day.

Tumedi, who is a makeup artist, is grateful that they managed to assist the old man. “I know the pain of being needy due to my own humble background. I always want to make a difference in someone’s life but I have been hesitant wishing to get rich first.

“Thank God I have now decided that I will not wait to be rich to make a difference in the lives of other people but to adopt an attitude of gratitude for the little I get through my endeavours,” she said.

The elderly man could not hide his excitement over finally having running water in his home. He applauded Tumedi saying she has no idea how she has changed his life for the better.

“Lebone ga le tshubiwe a bo le fitlhiwa ka fa tlase ga bolao,” the old man said, as he encouraged Tumedi to go and continue sharing her light in the darkness of other people's lives.