Residents at the Oakhaven Place Old Age Home are set to receive a special Christmas surprise when the doors to their new chapel open today.
After months of hard work by the team of the Ihata Care Group, the new church is set to provide a quiet space where ou mense can worship.
Chief operations officer, Nuraan Osman, says since they took over at the Heideveld home and several other facilities for elderly and destitute people, their plan was to create chapels where residents can pray.
The project is the brainchild of CEO Faizel Porter, who says: “With churches being closed during the lockdown, it affected them badly.
“When we took over, one of the first things they asked was if they can go to church.
“We usually transport them but some of them are uncomfortable being in crowds, fearful of the Coronavirus and we also have to consider that many of them are in wheelchairs.”
The team found an unused medical storage room and got to work transforming it into a chapel, complete with crosses, chairs and chandeliers.
Nuraan says they have also approached local pastors and priests about hosting services at the home.
“On Friday we will open it up and host a special evening of Christmas carols for them and on Saturday, they will have their first Christmas service in the chapel,” Nuraan explains.
“Besides the weekly services, the chapel is also available to the residents when they want to pray.
“Many times when someone passes away, all they want is a quiet place to speak to God.”
monique.duval@inl.co.za