Date: 25-Sep-2024
Location: 14 villages
A New Initiative – Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders
Sarvam has initiated the Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders in 14 villages, with 6 women from each village actively participating.
Introduction
The Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders is a grassroots initiative that has been launched in 14 villages, with 6 women from each village participating with the guidance of Sarvam. This initiative aims to provide care and support for elderly members of these rural communities, focusing on community-driven caregiving. By engaging local women, the program offers essential assistance to elderly neighbours, fostering intergenerational bonds and strengthening community cohesion.
Objectives
The key objectives of the Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders are:
Support for the Elderly: Offer care and companionship to elderly individuals who may lack immediate family support.
Empowerment of Women: Equip rural women with the skills and recognition needed to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Strengthening Community Solidarity: Enhance community ties by fostering deeper relationships between generations.
Promoting Elderly Well-Being: Improve both the mental and physical well-being of elderly individuals through regular care and support.
Structure and Activities
The initiative is currently active in 14 villages, with each village forming a “caring circle” composed of 6 women. These women collaborate to provide support to elderly residents, tailoring their services to meet individual needs.
Activities include:
Regular Visits: Women visit elderly neighbours daily or weekly to check on their well-being.
Household Support: Assistance with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping.
Health Monitoring: Helping with medication reminders, attending medical appointments, and ensuring overall health is monitored.
Companionship: Engaging elderly individuals in conversations and activities to combat loneliness.
Cultural Involvement: Organizing traditional and social events to help keep the elderly connected to the community.
On the first day of the Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders, women from each village began their caregiving duties with great enthusiasm. They assisted elderly neighbours with cleaning their homes, preparing meals, and feeding them. Some helped with bathing and personal hygiene, ensuring the elders felt comfortable and cared for. In addition to these tasks, they engaged the elderly in games and storytelling, bringing joy and companionship to their day. This holistic approach laid the foundation for ongoing support and strengthened the bond between the women and their elderly neighbours.
Impact
Since its launch, the Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders has made significant progress:
Elderly Well-Being: Elders who receive care report improvements in both emotional and physical health.
Women’s Empowerment: Women in the program gain leadership and caregiving skills, while also receiving increased social recognition in their villages.
Stronger Community Bonds: The initiative strengthens community ties by encouraging mutual support and care across generations.
Future Goals
The program aims to:
Expand Outreach: Extend the initiative to additional villages and involve more women in caring circles.
Provide Training: Offer specialized training in caregiving, basic healthcare, and first aid to improve the quality of care.
Extend the help: Elders can reach out to the care group whenever they need assistance with tasks like purchasing medicine, handling bank matters, or obtaining food. The group is always ready to offer support for their essential needs.
Raise Awareness: Promote the program within the community to attract more volunteers and support.
Conclusion
The Rural Women’s Caring Circle for Elders is an exemplary initiative that brings together women from 14 villages to care for their elderly neighbours. By addressing the needs of the elderly while empowering rural women, the program nurtures community ties and ensures that no elder is left behind. As it grows, the initiative promises to be a lasting model for rural caregiving and community strength.
Leave a Reply