Elders are like jewels for any community. The elders living in the slums where Vidiyal operates have rich experience in adapting various means for social change. They underwent lot of hardships in a caste society. But unfortunately their voices are unheard and their rich knowledge withers out. Twice a year Vidiyal organises senior citizens’ meet to provide and protect their rights. Earlier with the support of our volunteers an attempt was made to document the experiences of elders in the community. On an average 90 elders both men and women participate in our programmes for elders and periodical get to gathers.
At these get to gathers elders are honoured with a gift and sumptuous feast. They very much appreciate this gesture and always look forward to the next one. Respect for elders is nurtured in our children through action programmes. We encourage our children to look after their grannies and grandpas so that they live a dignified life in the slums and play an important role in the protection of children and their rights.
Since 2019 an outreach programme was initiated by Vidiyal Child Rights Movement as part of their service projects. Our children belonging to the Vithaihal (Seeds) forum go into slums and meet elders on a quarterly basis. They do attend to their physical ailments and listen to them.