It was a sunny and bright day, perfect for an outdoor celebration, when Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre residents and staff gathered for some Greek gaiety.
In attendance at the Woodlands garden and recreational area were residents and staff from the residential wings of Woodlands, Cedar Park and Lakeside. The garden was gaily decorated in the blue and white colours of the Greek flag, and these colours were reflected in people’s dress.
“Some staff members looked very authentic in their Greek togas, while another looked like a real Greek goddess!” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes.
Everyone enjoyed the morning programme of lively Greek music, a quiz game to test their knowledge of Greece and a language session, in which they all learnt how to speak a few phrases in Greek.
The quiz topics covered the Greek flag, finding Greece on a map and naming the capital city and surrounding countries and seas. It also covered the Parthenon on the Acropolis, the Olympic Games, Greek philosophers, Greek mythology, famous Greek personalities and Greek food and drink.
The staff performed Zorba’s Dance and a lively flag dance, after which it was tea time. Delicious homemade spanakopita (spinach pie) and baklava were enjoyed.
Many of the residents had travelled to Greece in their younger days and this celebration of the Greek culture brought back fond memories of happy travels.
“It was wonderful to experience the joy, good vibes and uplifting of spirits that was generated by this event, especially as the care centre slowly emerges from the hard restrictions and confinement of lockdown. It was truly a happy occasion,” says Debbie.
The event will be repeated on 12 November for River Lodge 1, 2 and 3 wings.
