By Alvine Kapitako
WINDHOEK – Angolan born Maliu Armandu, 71, relocated from Mix settlement, where he lived a deplorable life, to the Katutura Old Age Home is adapting well to his new environment.
New Era initially reported about Armandu on September 8 when he was discovered living in an inhumane state in his shack at Mix.
His staple food consisted of tombo, a traditional fermented brew and often five days would go by before he would eat a proper meal.
Armandu does not get a pension grant despite having a Namibian identity card and he depended on the goodwill of neighbours to meet his basic needs and taking a bath was something he only did every few months.
Sympathetic readers reacted to the story by donating food, clothes, food and a bed amongst other things to the old man.
And within two weeks after New Era broke the story the City of Windhoek responded by arranging the necessary documents to relocate Armandu to the Katutura Old Age Home.
Just a week after moving into his new home, Armandu escaped to go back to Mix.
But he was found and taken back to the old age home where he is now adapting well.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, the senior caretaker at the Katutura Old Age Home, Alex Kanu, confirmed Armandu is doing very well although he still does not get a monthly pension grant. He added the old man has adapted to his new environment.
“The only problem is that he is used to having all his clothes and belongings with him,” said Kanu, who explained he is struggling to let go of the mentality of wearing many clothes even in the summer when it is hot.
“He is doing very well in general. We take him to the doctors to keep him on regular health checks. In the beginning he got a lot of medicine such as antibiotics, vitamins and calcium to keep him strong. The medicines are working because he eats well and he has gained weight,” added Kanu.
Another caretaker at the old age home, Martha Rukoro, said: “Even if the gate is open he (Armandu) doesn’t go out. He interacts well with the others. He is clean and he has gained weight,” said Rukoro.
“I’m doing well. Everything is fine,” said Armandu who has been living in the country for over thirty years, when New Era asked how he was doing.