The Intergenerational Xchange

Someone writes that "every wrinkle tells a story".

Grooming the next generation of media professionals, lecturer from the Singapore Polytechnic's School of Digital Media & Infocomm Technology, Leon Chua, wanted his students to continue to use and apply their skills for society.

Earlier this year, the students volunteers went on an overseas volunteer project to Vietnam where they shared their photography skills and knowledge with the local students. After returning from Vietnam, Leon proposed an initiative to have 13 of his students participate in a local community service programme, together with The Salvation Army's Family Support Services (FSS).

And the mission: To tell the life stories of our seniors in the Elderly Drop-In Programme (EDIP). After an initial discussion with FSS, Leon decided to adopt FSS' idea of helping our EDIP members create a Life Story book, featuring photography and interview sessions with every EDIP member. And the shoots and interviews will take place in the very community where the seniors and FSS are in.

Although it rained on the day of the shoot, it definitely did not dampen the excitement of the EDIP members.

During the project, EDIP members were divided into three groups with each group well taken care of by Leon's students. The volunteers took initiative and proactively approached the elderly to get to know them better. Rapport was soon built as the students attentively and patiently attended to the seniors, who shared their stories and posed for the photo shoot. Throughout the informal chat session, the seniors shared about themselves and their life experiences with the volunteers.

And we believe this simple but meaningful intergenerational project has not only allowed the volunteers and the seniors' lives to connect, but also that the seniors' life stories, lessons and experiences will go on to touch and bless our volunteers.

Extracted & Edited from
Family Support Service's 2011 2nd Quarter Newsletter