Elders part of NOAH recently got treated to a fabulous day of creativity as part of the International Public Art Festival’s return to Cape Town!
Cape Town, South Africa (26 February 2024)— Elders part of NOAH (Neighbourhood Old Age Homes), a non-profit organisation that gives senior citizens a new lease on purpose with a unique sense of community and skills-sharing, recently got to have an art day as part of the International Public Arts Festival‘s run in Cape Town.
As the biggest street art festival on the continent where new murals by arts, both local and international, become part of the City of Cape Town’s urban fabric, it’s always an exciting time when IPAF comes to town. But wedged between the breathtaking murals and their special messages of impact are public art opportunities and moments of magic—just like the one the NOAH elders recently enjoyed.
Setting aside a day at the Company Gardens, elders got to enjoy their time being creative and enthralled with skills many might not have touched on for years. The Senior Workshop saw 12 NOAH elders get to enjoy the time together, brushed in paint and joy—something that made the whole energy of the International Public Art Festival that much more locally enriching.
There are hundreds of NOAH members who rely on the non-profit who have taken a different approach to life in the sunset years. Operating in six Cape Town communities, residents often come from tough situations such as neglect and unaffordable living circumstances as social pensioners. Through the communal houses affectionately referred to as Digs, the elders are trained with ABCD skills (Asset Based Community Development) where they can use their skills and talents, help co-manage social enterprises and partake in programmes like the Happiness Programme (a garden project, knitting circles, candle and soap making and events).
Here’s to more programmes that benefit the elderly, and more effort on reshaping how we see retirement!