We spend time at an Old Age Home every last Saturday of the month. This a great place and provides a home for many elderly people who no longer have places to live. This is a global issue and it has brought me closer to many new people I probably would never have interacted with It had always been a touching experience and I even started calling many of the old ladies,"Grandmothers" there. I like going there a lot because it allows me to connect with so many people who are pain and who can be helped.
Since, most of their grandchildren are of my age, they find it hard to connect with me immediately as it probably triggers old memories. So initially it took a lot of patience to get them talking out of their nutshells and I persevered in this. But, on my last visit, I had noticed one particular person starting to connect with me. So naturally, I was very excited about this visit. Also, many of them had requested me to get an old movie on my laptop for them to watch. I finally decided to take "Gandhi (1982)" and I was very eager to see how they would react.
But, unfortunately, this Saturday turned out to be a little disappointing as the Old Age Home had an Annual Function which involved visiting parents of the handicapped children who also live there. I was very disappointed as this meant I would have to wait for another month before being able to talk to these people. But, then we decided to request the people in - charge to allow us to help with the function since we were already there.
The sad part was that they informed us that our services won't be required and we could visit them on another day. This made me think about the ethical implications involved here. There even some religious barriers involved as the place is run by Christian nuns and they were a bit reluctant to get us involved after almost all of their work was done. It made me ponder upon the fact that was it right of us to insist on helping in something like this where nobody wants help? Finally, we ended up going back home and counting down days for the next monthly visit.
Since, most of their grandchildren are of my age, they find it hard to connect with me immediately as it probably triggers old memories. So initially it took a lot of patience to get them talking out of their nutshells and I persevered in this. But, on my last visit, I had noticed one particular person starting to connect with me. So naturally, I was very excited about this visit. Also, many of them had requested me to get an old movie on my laptop for them to watch. I finally decided to take "Gandhi (1982)" and I was very eager to see how they would react.
But, unfortunately, this Saturday turned out to be a little disappointing as the Old Age Home had an Annual Function which involved visiting parents of the handicapped children who also live there. I was very disappointed as this meant I would have to wait for another month before being able to talk to these people. But, then we decided to request the people in - charge to allow us to help with the function since we were already there.
The sad part was that they informed us that our services won't be required and we could visit them on another day. This made me think about the ethical implications involved here. There even some religious barriers involved as the place is run by Christian nuns and they were a bit reluctant to get us involved after almost all of their work was done. It made me ponder upon the fact that was it right of us to insist on helping in something like this where nobody wants help? Finally, we ended up going back home and counting down days for the next monthly visit.
Hi ! Aditi,
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see you on time for CAS Programme at Old Age Home.
Life never gives all the things we want, so never mind whatever happened over there!
We tried our level best to involve ourselves with them but due to some strange reason administration was unwilling!
Anyway, there is always next time.
Keep it up!
Anil Kashyap
Hello Aditi, wonderful reflection. I can see the attachment you have formed with your grandmothers in the Old Age Home. Once the initial reservations are broken down, you will have noticed the depth of their feelings, living away from their loved ones, thirsting for company of their grandchildren and like. Your presence, in some way or the other rekindles their memories and gives them solace, be it momentarily but still...
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have highlighted the learning outcomes. Good going. Keep it up.
CAS Coordinator