A few months ago, the MCC team were invited by the daughter in law (niece) of an amazing lady. Mrs Bibi is a widow, she may be 75 or possibly more. Her exact age is unknown to us....moreover even to herself. Bless her.
After living most of her life with her immediate family, she had the opportunity to move out. She said she grabbed this opportunity with both hands. This was because there was very little room for a growing family to live. Tower Hamlets is her local borough, which has a huge housing issue, with houses being over populated and very little other accomodation being available. We understand that housing is a top priority for the Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman.
Mrs Bibi is very mobile and walks unaided, lives by herself in her 1 bedroom self contained flat, with her days spent mainly in East London Mosque. She explained, in the mornings, she would meet up with a friend, or sister and head towards the mosque which has been a real lifeline for her. The mosque is around 10 minutes away. Before Maghrib, she would make her way back home. She cooks for herself, cleans for herself, meets up with her sister (who lives locally) and the other residents who live in the block of sheltered accomodation. Her utility bills would still be paid by her. We queried how this determined elder would do so, as she could not speak much english. She explained that the post office staff knew her well and that she would often take her bill and her debit card and relying totally on the trust of the post office staff, they would take her payment.
Mrs Bibi was sooo excited we were coming, she cooked us pasta, and had gone out especially to buy us chocolates which she insisted we take. We were humbled by her love, her verve for life, her generosity which extended to her forcing us to take £1 each as pocket money (as she put it, we could spend it on whatever we wanted). It reminded me of my grandmother, and this is how we saw her.
She said she had a blessed life. Her family would come around when they wanted to. They had given her a mobile phone to stay in touch.
We wondered how many of our elders are living by themselves?. There appeared to be a few asian elders in that very same sheltered accomodation, they had a communal hall but very few went to the communal hall to socialise. However, we couldn't help but feel their isolation....if we put ourselves in their position. Moreover, Mrs Bibi was mobile but what about those that are not mobile and dependant on their neighbours, family and external carers looking after them.
We recently heard a few weeks ago that Mrs Bibi was coming back from the mosque when she was knocked down whilst crossing a road. She was injured and in shock, but Alhumdullilah ok. Her daughter has moved in to look after her temporarily. We pray for her recovery.
We thank Mrs Bibi's for granting us full permission to take her photo and to publish it here.
After living most of her life with her immediate family, she had the opportunity to move out. She said she grabbed this opportunity with both hands. This was because there was very little room for a growing family to live. Tower Hamlets is her local borough, which has a huge housing issue, with houses being over populated and very little other accomodation being available. We understand that housing is a top priority for the Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman.
Mrs Bibi is very mobile and walks unaided, lives by herself in her 1 bedroom self contained flat, with her days spent mainly in East London Mosque. She explained, in the mornings, she would meet up with a friend, or sister and head towards the mosque which has been a real lifeline for her. The mosque is around 10 minutes away. Before Maghrib, she would make her way back home. She cooks for herself, cleans for herself, meets up with her sister (who lives locally) and the other residents who live in the block of sheltered accomodation. Her utility bills would still be paid by her. We queried how this determined elder would do so, as she could not speak much english. She explained that the post office staff knew her well and that she would often take her bill and her debit card and relying totally on the trust of the post office staff, they would take her payment.
Mrs Bibi was sooo excited we were coming, she cooked us pasta, and had gone out especially to buy us chocolates which she insisted we take. We were humbled by her love, her verve for life, her generosity which extended to her forcing us to take £1 each as pocket money (as she put it, we could spend it on whatever we wanted). It reminded me of my grandmother, and this is how we saw her.
She said she had a blessed life. Her family would come around when they wanted to. They had given her a mobile phone to stay in touch.
We wondered how many of our elders are living by themselves?. There appeared to be a few asian elders in that very same sheltered accomodation, they had a communal hall but very few went to the communal hall to socialise. However, we couldn't help but feel their isolation....if we put ourselves in their position. Moreover, Mrs Bibi was mobile but what about those that are not mobile and dependant on their neighbours, family and external carers looking after them.
We recently heard a few weeks ago that Mrs Bibi was coming back from the mosque when she was knocked down whilst crossing a road. She was injured and in shock, but Alhumdullilah ok. Her daughter has moved in to look after her temporarily. We pray for her recovery.
We thank Mrs Bibi's for granting us full permission to take her photo and to publish it here.