Pretoria: Eighty-year-old Maria Tomas from Oshiya Shomatope village on Tuesday received a donation of essential household items through the Omuthiya Constituency Office.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the donations, which also include a bed and mattress, follow a visit by Omuthiya Constituency Councillor Erastus Nekomba to Tomas's homestead last Wednesday. The visit revealed the elderly woman's dire living conditions, with her current dwelling proving unsuitable for habitation.

During the visit, Nekomba, along with officials from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare and the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), identified the urgent need for intervention. Nekomba responded by donating corrugated iron sheets to help construct a new room and committed to providing drought relief food for the household.

Tomas had informed officials about her neglect and how the money she entrusted to relatives for building materials was misused. During the handover on Tuesday, Nekomba thanked the community members who came forward to assist Tomas, applauding their generosity for restoring hope and dignity to her life.

"I would like to thank all the good Samaritans who came on board to help improve the living conditions of Maria Tomas. Your generosity has restored hope and dignity to an elderly member of our community," Nekomba said during the handover ceremony.

Nekomba emphasized the importance of community support in assisting the vulnerable and encouraged ongoing efforts to help those in need. An emotional Tomas expressed her gratitude to Nekomba and all contributors for their support in transforming her living situation.

Furthermore, Nekomba cautioned against the neglect and exploitation of elderly individuals, highlighting cases of pensioner abuse uncovered during his constituency visits. He urged families to care for their elderly relatives and encouraged community members to report neglect so that appropriate aid can be provided.