On a rainy Thursday afternoon we had the idea to try something new at one of our City Sites. “Let’s decorate the community room with some self-made flowers.”
Equipped with a bunch of scissors and colorful paper we arrived at Temple Place, where our elderly friends were already awaiting us. Even though we don’t speak the same language we could just see, feel and sense their excitement about the get-together. Step by step we showed our friends how to fold the paper, how to cut it and how to stick the different parts together.
Whenever a resident shyly passed by the community room one of the elders jumped up to introduce the resident to our group and explained patiently how to make a big flower just out of paper.
One of our friends is showing her neighbor how to cut the paper
These small situations are really eye-openers. It is not just about building friendships between the elders and the volunteers. No, it is way more than that. Seeing how neighbors who might have never had a conversation before laugh together, or include new residents in the activity.
After cutting and folding and endless amounts of sheets…
Showing that even when we leave the community room there is still a sense of community left.
… we had our self-made flower 🙂
About the author:
Jasmin Higo is a Program Assistant at Little Brothers – Friendly of the Elderly. She is highly involved in the City Site program.