School Pupils Learn & Teach - Colombia

This officially approved Social Studies project brought school pupils into Pro Vida for education & training on ageing issues and were then asked to create a 1 hour illustrated presentation for delivery to people in day centres, homes & groups of older migrants gathered in the open air. Presentations used drama, visual aids, poems, dances & other methods to teach about various aspects of ageing.

Ageing, Youth, Population, Education

Pro Vida saw the need to bridge the gap between Colombia's youth & the ageing population & used education as the foundation of the project. Pro Vida applied to the Ministry of Education for approval as an institute where groups of students could attend as part of their curriculum. Social Work students from a University in Bogota were made available to Pro Vida in a dual learning/working capacity by a similar agreement. School pupils went to Pro Vida for education on ageing issues and were taught by the university students & Pro Vida staff before they went away to create their presentations. Topics covered were nutrition, safe water, dental hygiene & physical exercise, among others. The project fostered valued friendships & opened a door to other opportunities like the "adoption" programme of lone older persons by surrogate families.