Age-Fusion 2015

    AGE FUSION 2015 PROJECT   Preamble:   Age-Fusion is an event that will be organized by the Home-based Outreach Programme for the Elderly (HOPE). This is a newly founded community based organization that targets to raeach out to the elderly within Ragwe Community. By reaching out to them the organization seeks to revitalize the elderly aged 65 years and above by giving them hope to live an independent and fulfilled lives in their sunset years.   This concept was conceived after having seen how the elderly people in our society who were once productive live deplorable lives at a time that they very much needed support from the ones they once sweated for. Unfortunately these are the people whose sweat seems to have gone to waste as the children they bore fell victims of HIV/AIDS and sometimes leaving them with young ones to take care of. In the end they are left vulnerable, with nothing to celebrate. A lot of support seems to come to the children but the elderly have nobody to recognize and appreciate. Walking amongst the elderly today across the village, it is no surprise to hear comments like ‘I better die so that I go and rest’. This is a statement made when all hope is already gone and have nothing else to live for.   The 2015 Age-Fusion project is one initiative that will be the launch pad for the activities that HOPE project plans to initiate. It will be a meeting place for the elderly and the younger generation where both groups that are separated by a wide gap of years meet to exchange ideas, observations and learn from each other. The elderly have a lot that they can share with the young ones especially morals, their rich culture and lifestyles, diets etc. At the Age Fusion Event we seek to recognize and appreciate the elderly at least once in a year. The elderly will have the opportunity to share their rich past while the youth will have an opportunity to learn and compare with their present.   Planned Activities   ·         Free Health screening   ·         Story telling   ·         Meal preparation and tasting especially the traditional dishes prepared by the elderly using the traditional recipes.   ·         Games-Ajua, boat racing, etc.   ·         Question and answer time (Open Forum)   Target Group   The Age-Fusion 2015 event targets at least 80 elderly people aged 65+ years- both males and females and at least 200 young people within the age bracket of 12-18 years.   Impact   ·         On the overall at the end of the event there will be a free engagement between the old and the young in the community with a special attention to raising the morale of the elderly by rekindling hope in them and have a reason to cherish life.   ·         The youths shall have learnt what life was like in the past and the elderly shall share their experiences and lifestyle before.   ·         Those that have been screened for health related problems shall get medical care and possible referral for further attention.   ·         The elderly shall have raised their concerns to the relevant authorities and possible intervention strategies formulated.   Opportunities for involvement of Volunteers in the project.   As this will be the first event of its kind, volunteers are invited to participate in this life changing experience technically and financially. For those who have a passion for and expertise in working with the elderly this is a good opportunity.   This will enable her/him to grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking and support. He/she will facilitate public seminars on key community issues i.e. elder care and support programs and other old age related issues, preparation for aging, writing of wills, etc   In addition it will also be possible for him/her to arrange programs visits or informational interviews with a wide range of community members including fishermen, small-scale traders, and youths, elderly and all. The volunteer will experience working with diverse and low income population.   We welcome volunteers without regard to disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. Reasonable accommodation will be arranged upon request.