In mid-June, Mayor Ulli Meyer visited the open seniors' meeting "Café Frohsinn" of the Malteser Hilfsdienst e. V. on Ludwigstraße. Since it was a very hot day, he treated the elderly guests to ice cream with whipped cream, who of course welcomed the refreshing treat. "It is wonderful that there is this offer for the older generation centrally located in the city of St. Ingbert. And the fact that it is so well received speaks to the excellent work of the Malteser Hilfsdienst," the mayor thanks Sabine Grimm, who has been managing the office for many years.
In conversation with the sprightly senior women, Mayor Ulli Meyer learned a lot about the open senior meeting, which takes place alternately on Tuesdays – once as a "coffee gathering" and once as a game afternoon. Usually, about ten women participate in the meetings, although men are of course also very welcome. "I think the men are afraid of us women because we are clearly in the majority. But they don’t have to be; we would really be happy to see every senior," smiled one of the older ladies. Especially on game afternoons, which are always very fun with board and dice games, Mikado, and various card games, many men would certainly be an enrichment. "Whenever I have the chance, I pass on the information that a wonderful senior meeting is offered here to older residents in our town," said local head Irene Kaiser, who was also invited for ice cream.
"I am thankful to God that I can come here"
All the women are glad that these meetings take place on Tuesdays. "We moved from Saarbrücken to St. Ingbert a few years ago, and when my husband passed away in 2019, I sought contact with the Maltesers. The worst fear for me was that I would become lonely in old age," says one of the older ladies. And her neighbor at the table agrees: "I thank God that I can come here. We have now become a really nice group, almost like a family." The oldest participant who regularly attends the meetings is a proud 94 years old.
Such social events rely on volunteer helpers, without whose commitment many things would not be possible. And a very special role on this afternoon is played by Zarnat Alhhourani, a 45-year-old woman from Syria who came to St. Ingbert with the refugee wave in 2015. Since spring, she has regularly participated in the senior afternoons, chatting with the ladies and helping with serving. After all, the senior women have worked their whole lives and enjoy being pampered at such afternoons. "I was warmly welcomed in St. Ingbert and I am deeply grateful for that. It only makes sense that I want to give something back here through my volunteer work. Besides, I feel very comfortable in this nice company and we have a lot of fun together," smiles Zarnat Alhourani, and the sincerity of her words is clear in the sparkle of her eyes. "I wish you a good time and many more fun and entertaining hours here with the Maltesers. And above all, stay healthy," with these words Ulli Meyer said goodbye to the ladies at the "coffee gathering".
