Sahaja Sharing: Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Wana Seraya

Kicking off the year 2025, on Sunday, January 12, Sahaja Foundation held a visit to Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Wana Seraya (PSTW Wana Seraya), located at Jl. Gemitir No. 66, Kesiman Kertalangu, Denpasar. PSTW Wana Seraya is a government-owned nursing home that has been operating since 1975. This facility was established to provide shelter for underprivileged older people who have no family, ensuring they are protected from neglect, as well as physical and psychological abuse.

During this visit, the Sahaja Foundation and its team engaged with the residents to share joy and create a fun atmosphere. The event began with a speech from the Chairman of the Sahaja Foundation, Dr. dr. Gusti Putu Suka Aryana, Sp.PD-KGer. In his address, Dr. Suka encouraged older people to maintain their health and live happily and enthusiastically. Although they have reached an advanced age, he emphasized the importance of making an effort to experience a meaningful and enjoyable old age.

Before the activities began, volunteers were given the opportunity to chat and get to know the older residents. Throughout the event, each older person was accompanied by a volunteer acting as their “grandchild.” The first activity was flower arranging, where older people and volunteers created floral decorations together. Meanwhile, in another section, a team of doctors and nurses provided free health check-ups for the residents.

Various games were designed to improve coordination, motor skills, flexibility, and physical strength. Some of these included transferring a ball with chopsticks, placing a ping-pong ball into a glass using a tool, pulling a newspaper with their feet while sitting, and a group game of passing balloons. In addition, older people also received massage therapy sessions from the Tirta Bersama Massage Therapist Team, which helped relieve muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and provide relaxation. Furthermore, they were invited to sing together in a karaoke session, which not only provided entertainment but also helped enhance their mood and social interaction.

The event was filled with joy, as reflected in the smiles and happiness of both the older people and the volunteers. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed to making this event a success. We hope that this year, we can continue to bring more benefits to older people and organize more meaningful activities for the community. Toward the end of the event, we visited bedridden older residents, bringing them gift packages and flower arrangements that had been created earlier.

We also interviewed some volunteers to hear their thoughts and experiences from the event. They shared their happiness in being part of this initiative and having the opportunity to interact with the older residents.

🌟 Restu:“I have participated in several volunteer activities during campus events, but most of them were focused on children and environmental causes. This was my first time engaging in an activity with older people, and it was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to chat with them, and they happily shared their life stories—how they lived in their youth, how they ended up here, and how they navigate life today. I realized that many of them were remarkable individuals in their younger years—some were even athletes! This activity taught me many lessons and provided a lot of inspiration.”

🌟Nurse Ayu: “This wasn’t my first time participating in a charity event through my workplace, but it was my first experience volunteering out of personal interest. This event was very memorable for me, especially because I was able to share happiness with the residents here. Seeing their smiles truly made me happy.”

🌟Dina: “I am very grateful to the Sahaja Foundation for giving me the opportunity to join this event, even though I registered at the very last minute. I don’t have much to say, but I truly enjoyed participating. Not only did I get to meet and assist older people, but I also had the chance to connect with amazing new friends from different regions and backgrounds. I hope to have more opportunities to help older people in the future.”