Elderly learn, socialise in school scheme

Dressed in their uniform of a purple shirt and dark trousers, more than 100 silver-haired students in Kanchanaburi's Nong Mai Kaen village have been returning to their youth, as they attend a recently established school for the elderly.

Aunties, uncles and grandparents, all over 60 years old, are enrolled at the Nong Mai Kaen school for the elderly which they visit every first and third Wednesday of the month for classes on Buddhism, health, traditional crafts and cooking.

After it was established in 2013, headmaster Phra Khru Kanjana Thammachai, the abbot of Wat Nong Mai Kaen, said the school has helped revive the temple and energised the community.

Two years ago, the temple grounds were largely empty apart from important religious ceremonies and events. People had deserted the site and most of the temple's buildings served little purpose.

That changed when members of an association for the elderly began gathering there regularly to perform group activities.

Soon after they decided to act on bigger ambitions and created an actual school, securing funds from the tambon municipality.

The temple's buildings now serve a great purpose, as classrooms for the elderly, said the abbot.

But for some, the thought dusting off textbooks after so many years was less than appealing.

"They would shake their heads and say they're too old to learn," he explained.

Slowly, they began to change their mind and saw the school as an opportunity to gain new skills and familiarise themselves with topics they knew little about, he said.

The courses are designed to meet the needs of older generations, Phra Khru Kanjana added. They learn to take care of their health, seek medical check-ups and may earn a secondary income from the handicrafts they make. The elderly also travel in a group and do some local sightseeing.

Nim Janda, 77, is one of the school's first students. As a youngster, she left school after fourth grade, and this time around didn't want to miss a single class, especially as she gets to meet new friends.

The students chat as they perform activities and dance, she said, adding she feels her health has improved since going to the classes.

A former mechanic, 70-year-old Boonsom Poldum says his profession was no longer suited to his old age. Mr Boonsom used to work overseas and returned home after two years with a small income to set up his own repair shop.

But today, he makes hammocks which he sells for around 100 baht, a skill he learned while attending the school for the elderly. Each hammock earns him around 60 or 70 baht profit, he said.

He also grows herbs and vegetables. "Aside from my new income, I'm in good health. I never need to go to the hospital," he said.

The Nong Mai Kaen school is one of 43 schools for the elderly nationwide, set up to allow for aged community residents to gain knowledge and make use of their skills and potential, according to Social Development and Human Security Minister Adul Saengsinkaew.

The government supports the initiative, he added, as Thailand has become an ageing society. Today, the country's 10 million elderly make up 14.9% of the population.

It's important that all parties cooperate to ensure that ageing citizens are well cared for and ensure they are in good health.

Local authorities, communities as well as family members must all contribute to this effort, he said.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by Penchan Charoensuthipan

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