LIFESTYLE
This duo from an Andheri old-age home make to-order wooden, coconut craft.
Ninety-year-old Joseph Hopkins is a busy man. Hunched over a bench that has wood, bamboo and coconut shavings scattered over it, Hopkins scrapes and polishes all of it, his face writ with concentration. His age does not stop him from sculpting the most exquisite wood and coconut craft. Hopkins’ workshop is a small shed at the Little Sisters of the Poor home for aged in Andheri.
The world observed Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15 with calls for prevention of suffering and distress of the elderly. But, living in an old-age home does not always mean that these elderly people are suffering; a truth that Hopkins pays heed to, daily. “I can work till I get tired, because I love what I do,” he says, adding that the last four days, his ill-health has kept him away from his work. Hopkins’s handiwork — funny monkey faces, delicate butterflies, tiny cribs and tinkling wind chimes to more utilitarian mugs and kettles with lids — has found favour with visitors at the home.
His workshop, which lies in the middle of the old-age home’s garden, was specially built for him. A single room tool shed, it is strewn with wood shavings, coconut husks, polishing and cutting machines, handiwork in various stages of completion, and a framed picture of Hopkins and his wife at their wedding. “I spend two to three hours here every morning and sometimes evenings too, if there are many orders,” says Hopkins.
Hopkins started out alone, but today takes help from his friend, Rolim Lobo, who he affectionately calls Lobo. The 84-year-old Lobo joined the old-age home in 2009 and just one look at the workshop was all it took to pique his interest.
Lobo helps out with odd jobs like carving, polishing the finished products, scraping the coconut shells and so on. “We sometimes get very engrossed in our work, forgetting the time. When you are doing something you love, time does not matter,” says Lobo. And whilst Hopkins dedicates his free time to creating new handiwork, Lobo divides his free time between painting and singing with the home’s choir.
The duo even has one of their masterpieces displayed at the reception of the old-age home: a plywood replica of the Titanic, approximately a foot in length. Hopkins has a passion for making locomotives and engines.
“The home provides us with everything: from space to materials to manpower if needed. We just give them a shape,” says Lobo.
Orders are sent through Mother Irene, the superior who heads the gents section of the home. There is no deadline and only small orders are accepted. “We just want to keep them busy so that they forget their worries and keep good heath,” says Sr Agnes, one of the nuns at the home.
For Hopkins and Lobo, it’s the love of giving a new life to an inanimate object which keeps them going, every day.
Meet man, aka coolest grandpa, who still works as actor and model at 89, he is from...
Meet IAS officer, who cracked UPSC exam in 2009, now promoted to key post in GOI as...
Honda, Nissan call off Rs 521825 crore merger, the reason is…
Valentine's Day 2025: Why do we celebrate this day? Know here
Ne Zha 2: Everything you need to know about the Chinese animated blockbuster
How I Can Make Your Child into an Ivy Leaguer: A Parent’s Guide to Success with Caroline Linger
Meet China’s newest billionaire, who runs bubble tea business, his net worth is Rs...
Top Government Schemes for Farmers, Artisans, and Students You Should Not Miss!
Why did RCB chose Rajat Patidar as captain over Virat Kohli? Team director Mo Bobat explains
Valentine’s Day 2025: Perfect last-minute gifts ideas for your partner
Man who saved Rishabh Pant's life in 2022 car accident, attempts suicide with girlfriend, she dies
FASTag New rule: All you need to know to avoid extra charges from February 17
Throwback: How did Rohit Sharma propose to Ritika Sajdeh? WATCH viral video
Did Ram Charan unfollow Allu Arjun after his father took a dig at Game Changer? Here's what we know
Who Are The Top 5 Most Influential Astrologers In India In 2025?
Delhi-NCR schools holiday: Are Delhi, Gurugram, Noida schools closed on Feb 14? Check here
THESE cricketers unfollowed Ranveer Allahbadia on social media amid India's Got Latent controversy?
‘Broke in 50 days’: Accenture employee-investor loses Rs 8 lakh in a day, his net worth is Rs…
Microsoft inaugurates new campus in THIS Indian city, plans to hire...
Shah Rukh Khan once bought laptop for Aamir Khan but he did not open it for...years because...
New Income Tax Bill 2025: FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables the new income tax bill in Lok Sabha
Emirates flight attendant's BTS video sparks firing rumours, airline responds, see post here
Anupam Mittal asks Namita Thapar to quit Shark Tank India because...: 'If you're...'
Meet comedian who was slapped, kicked out of film set by...; his net worth is now...
Top 3 iconic cricket rivalries
Couple recreates dance with same friend squad for sangeet after 10 years, watch viral video
Meet actor who served during Kargil War, put his career on hold for..., he is...
RCB captain announcement LIVE Updates: Rajat Patidar to lead team in IPL 2025
Ranveer Allahbadia cries in viral video over..., the truth behind it will shock you
Meet actress who is queen of Rs 500 cr club, set to enter again with..., she is...
Rohit Shetty teases 'biggest love story of 2025' feat Ranveer Singh and.., fans react
Hajj 2025: You can't take your children to Hajj this year due to...
Aly Goni supports Samay Raina because..., says he was forced to...
Students' farewell dance on SRK's 'Aankhein Khuli' steals the show, watch viral video
World’s longest railway station has 44 platforms, 67 tracks, has secret platform, located in…
New Income Tax Bill likely to be introduced in parliament today; here's what to expect
Meet IIT-JEE topper with 300 marks in JEE Mains Session 1 Result 2025, advices students not to...
Rozlyn Khan files defamation case against Ankita Lokhande: 'A woman who could use...'
PM Modi US visit: PM Modi arrives at Blair House, greets members of Indian diaspora
Meet son of billionaire whose net worth is Rs 77,280 crore, leads business empire in Australia as...
Happy Kiss Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, images, quotes to share with your lover
Why Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of Champions Trophy 2025? Report says Ajit Agarkar...
Meet woman, who studied 17-18 hours daily, cracked UPSC in sixth attempt with AIR..., she is...
DNA TV Show: Delhi Police searches for AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan in threat case
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 warm-up fixtures: Will India play any practice game before mega event?
Meet man, IIT graduate, who once worked at Google, OpenAI, now owns...
BTC X8 Bumex Review 2025: Scam or Legit Trading Platform? Quick facts
AR Rahman comments on future of music, worries about THIS genre: 'We have lost all…’
UPSC introduces changes in online application process after aspirants' complaints; check here
TRAI's BIG move, introduces new rules against pesky calls, messages, fines telcos for...
Vir Das breaks his silence on India’s Got Latent controversy: 'A good artist will always…'
Who was Kim Rieul? Korean designer behind BTS and MONSTA X’s modern hanboks passes away at 32
Trade Compliance Meets Cybersecurity: Forensic Strategies for Risk Management
Enabling governance to organizations within AWS marketplace: A look at private marketplace
R Madhavan makes BIG STATEMENT about his bank account: 'I don't know how much I have and...'
Asense Interior: Celebrating 11 Years of Redefining Luxury Interiors in Bengaluru
Snow Moon 2025: When and how to witness February's full moon tonight? Know here