Maramba Old People’s Home situated in Livingstone in the southern Province of the republic of Zambia is a Home for the reception, care and support of older persons aged 60 and above, who are in destitute circumstances and have no relative to look after them.
Although government believes that every person should be supported within the community and family setting, there are circumstances that have led to some older persons being left without support. The home was established during the colonial era in Libuyu early 1960s which was part of Maramba compound, authorities then through local government allocated (4) four houses for their welfare and it was government responsibility (as the Britain’s welfare state of the Elizabethan poor laws 1601) until it located to the present site in 1965. This was to continue taking care of the older persons. The attributes were as a result of bad family setting and poverty, mainly old persons who used to be in Maramba old people’s home then Wanela hostel were those who used to come from far around the country going to work in South Africa, Zimbabwe etc used to rest and continue there journey and Others were just standees or rejectees from the societies. The HIV and AIDS pandemic is a new phenomenon factor that has also contributed to the increase older persons being in the home. The family and communities for instance have also contributed to the weakening of the family and community support systems. As a result, older persons are referred to Old People’s Homes such as Maramba, Chibolya, Mwandi, Mitanda old people’s home etc for Institutional care should however be a measure of last resort.
Maramba Old People’s Home was established in 1965 to look after older persons who were left destitute. It has been run by the government through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
Over the years, the Department of Social Welfare saw the need for a community participation that will assist in the effective operations of the Home for improved service delivery to older persons in the institution. As such the community participation is needed
