Albert Schweitzer once said: Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. I believe that is the secret of the success story at Pretoria Care for the Aged.

We have an exceptional team at Pretoria Care for the Aged who really care for the elderly and have a passion for their job. We believe in teamwork and therefore have a strong team with experience and knowledge that all make a contribution to the excellent services of the organisation.

I believe that if you want staff to do a proper job, you have to give them proper "tools" to work with. Three years ago our social workers did not have access to computers, internet or cell phones. Today all our offices have access to e-mail, we have a website and are able to receive online donations.

I believe in accessible services to all elderly in need: three years ago we had only one satellite office, today we have thirteen. Three years ago we had only three service centres, today we have seven. While the Department of Social Development cut the subsidy of other Welfare organisations, we received 9 more posts for this financial year.

At Pretoria Care for the Aged, we believe in dreaming and setting goals. We believe in trying, and if we fail, we see it as a challenge to try harder. We believe in being an honest, transparent and dependable welfare organisation.

I want to end off with the following story:

First I was dying to finish my high school and start college
And then I was dying to finish college and start working
Then I was dying to marry and have children
And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough so I could go back to work
But then I was dying to retire
And now I am dying
And suddenly I realized I forgot to live…

Please don't let this happen to you! Appreciate your current situation, appreciate each day and believe that you have the potential to make a difference in somebody's life!

So often we underestimate the value of a touch, a smile, a meaningful compliment, really listening or die smallest sign of care. We forget that we have the potential to change someone's life.

Carien van Huyssteen
Director