Hi All
A good Zimbabwean friend of mine, Helen, who lives in Perth, came back to Zimbabwe a couple of years ago where we met up for coffee. Helen is one of those kind people who spend lots of time selflessly motivating their immediate communities.
She told me about a very successful project that works for all the older guys in Perth known as “The Men’s Shed.” Essentially this involves these chaps meeting in a small shed, or hall, regularly on a Saturday morning to work “Shoulder to Shoulder’ making things for their community. Generally, one of the guys donates a spare cottage, or container, somewhere that he no longer needs. Other old-timers bring along their old rigs, saws, or drilling kit from home whilst someone else drops off an old fridge, chairs, or a braai.
Research in Australia has proven that key factors in longevity involve older folk knowing that they have mates who are expecting to meet up with them at a regular time and place every day or week. Another factor is feeling wanted by their community. The bottom line on these days is a bunch of guys joking with each other and reminiscing about the Good Old Days.
Another mate of mine has just sold his home in Mount Pleasant and has a whole garage full of lathes and tools that would be a good starting point for setting up such an organisation here in Harare.
If anyone has any suggestions or would like to help me start up such a venture, please feel free to send me an email to mikeg@softrite.co.zw.
Read below Helen’s comments from her email to me over the weekend:
Cheers Mike G.
……………………..
“Back in 2018 the one I visited most of the tools and machinery were donated.. e g retired gents no longer using them, wood offcuts and the like donated, likewise nuts, bolts, screws etc.
The above group started off in a small shed given to them to use by I think the Lions Ass. and eventually, with donations and help, built like a garage shed.
The guy’s fixed tables and chairs for schools, clubs, groups, and charitable organisations, and the word spread for the benefit of both…
What I was told though…..the health and mental benefit for the men who joined was a real eye-opener in many respects and openly discussed between them as opposed to keeping silent…and the mutual support between them was invaluable.
A few of them played a musical instrument, formed a band, and often played at dances, local dinners, and fetes, for a small donation to build their own funds to cover some of the sheds own expenses and time out as a group for a meal, fishing , a social evening ….”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_shed
