Our new intergenerational program brings together elderly community members and school children, fostering meaningful connections and cultural knowledge transfer. The program, launched on Independence Day, aims to address the isolation often experienced by elderly individuals while providing children with wisdom and cultural grounding that might be missing in their fast-paced lives.

The program currently operates in two villages, bringing together 15 elderly participants and 30 children aged 8-14 years. Weekly sessions are held at the village community centers, where elders share traditional stories, songs, crafts, and cooking techniques with the children. The children, in turn, help the elders learn basic digital skills and keep them connected with current events.

"The joy on both sides is palpable," said Ms. Anita D'Souza, who coordinates the program. "Many of these elderly individuals have incredible knowledge of traditional practices and local history that would otherwise be lost. The children are surprisingly eager to learn these things, and the elders feel valued and respected."

The program has already shown positive impacts. Family members report that participating elders look forward to the sessions and have shown improved mood and cognitive engagement. Teachers note that the children have developed greater respect for elders and increased interest in cultural traditions.

A particularly successful component has been the "Grandparent for a Day" initiative, where children without grandparents are paired with elderly individuals who have limited family connections. These pairs engage in special activities together, creating meaningful bonds that extend beyond the regular program sessions.

The trust plans to document the traditional knowledge being shared through this program, creating a cultural archive that preserves local wisdom for future generations. We are also exploring ways to expand this model to more villages and potentially to urban settings where intergenerational connections are increasingly rare.

We welcome community members interested in participating in or supporting this initiative to contact us.