As part of an increased focus on community service for our student leaders, in Week 32 and 33 Mr. Jones took the YCIS Puxi Primary Captains and Student Councillors to visit the elderly at two local retirement homes, Shen Zhou and Xi Jiao. The students were invited to sit with the retirees for a morning, sharing stories, playing board games, making origami, and even performing musical pieces. We especially enjoyed hearing stories from 上海人 about what their life was like when they were young.
Interactions between the elderly and the young have been shown to be mutually beneficial for both groups. In a setting where daily routines may not change much, the local retirees were grateful to have our student leaders visit them, listen to their stories and brighten their day. They eagerly invited us to visit again next year. Thank you also to the parent helpers who accompanied us and helped the students in their interactions with the elderly.
ECE & Primary Student Well-being Coordinator – Jana van Zyl