SAMAA CELEBRATED EID MILAN

Dec 29, 2012 by admin

The federal MP Hon Laurie Ferguson, a staunch supporter of SAMAA, applauded its members for their excellent work with true volunteering spirit and not for seeking individual recognition. He commended SAMAA’s effort in engaging with other organisations in providing services to the elderly. Laurie told audience that he is much impressed by very logical and practical approach SAMAA takes in achieveing its objectives instead of being over ambitious. Auburn MP Hon Barabara Perry spoke about great volunteering spirit and reassured SAMAA of her ongoing support in loud applause from the audience.

SAMAA official Mr Zahid Jamil gave an overview of SAMAA’s activiies over past few months. He told audience that in runnig such programmes, we face challenges all the time. Couple of providers with whom SAMAA had signed MOUs, suffered setbacks lately. CareConnet, a major service provider, who had run a series of workshops for SAMAA elderly last year and which was a very successful project, did not get any funding for NSW in last Aged Care Approval round for CACP (Community Aged Care Packages). SAMAA was expecting a major breakthrough in home care services through them, however now we will have to wait till next ACAR round. Curie Nursing Home, with whom SAMAA had arrangements for past few years ran into some technical difficulties with Department of Health and this facility has to close down. Wallgrove Aged Care facility which is located in Lakemba  is operating very well and a few SAMAA elderly are residing there. We are now looking for other nursing homes in Sydney who can provide services to suit our cultural needs. We hope that we will be able to negotiate services for our elderly in coming months. Kindly keep checking our website for updates.

Mr Jamil said that this year SAMAA’s main focus has been the volunteering programme.  The volunteer coordinator is working hard and many SAMAA elderly are receiving different kinds of services from SAMAA volunteers. In a few months time, SAMAA expect to allot a dedicated volunteer for each 75 plus elderly. SAMAA has divided Sydney into 7 major regional areas. We wish to have a nursing home (with whom we have signed MOU) and a local volunteering group in each area. Many people have filled out the volunteering forms, yet at times of need many may not be available for the specific service requested. If need be, we also pay  our volunteers for the work they do or the expenses they incur.

Mr Jamil said that at times, SAMAA is restricted in accessing funding due to our religious ethics. We could not accept ClubGrant funding over past few months as this money was sourced from gambling revenues in the clubs such as RSL, bowing clubs, sports clubs. SAMAA is now  talking to these clubs so that in lieu of cash, we can use  some of their facilities such as conference halls and buses. This will enable us to arrange some  regular activity for our elderly.

SAMAA coordinate and cooperate with various organisations so as to provide facilities to its elderly. Under one such programme, SAMAA is currently working with Muslim Aid Australia to provide aged care equipment such as wheel chairs, shower seats, walkers to the elderly. In coordination with a young Muslim volunteer group Y Factor, SAMAA distributed Eid gifts to many elderly which included flowers, holy water and dates. Such activities reflect SAMAA’s philosophy that It carries out its mission by interacting with relevant government and non-government bodies and all people of good will, to develop programs to enhance the human dignity of our elderly. SAMAA intends to workout the possibility of talking to other Muslim ethnic groups for working together to build aged care facilities.

A highly talented Ghazal singer Dr Pradeep Bal entertained audience with Ghazals specially that of Mehdi Hassan. Famous Sydney Ghazal singer Mrs Shahnaz Hyder who had close association with late Mehdi Hassan for many years paid tribute to this great icon of the sub-continent.  

The elderly received gifs from SAMAA. An elderly Zohra Qureshi who happened to have her birthday on the day had a pleasent surprise to cut her birthday cake. Guests enjoyed dinner and sweets and the evening concluded with lots of good will and exchange of Eid greetings.