Volunteer 'children' help elderly feel part of a family

TAIYUAN — In one urban community in northern China, a voluntary service team launched last October nicknamed "Shared Children", which works hard to support elderly empty nesters, is gaining popularity among residents.

The 108 volunteers have already made a big difference within the Chaoyang community, in the Jiancaoping district of Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province. They have paired off with 71 senior citizens to learn about their daily needs and offer a helping hand when required, based on the principle of lasting relationships.

One volunteer named Zhao Yanfei is now the "daughter" of Zhang Meizhen, a local 81-year-old resident. Zhao pays close attention to Zhang's daily life. "I always go to the community's pavilion, a popular place for the elderly to take a break, to see if Zhang is there, as she is there most mornings and afternoons at a fixed time," says Zhao. "If one day I don't see her there, I will worry about her, and visit her home to see if she is all right and needs any help."

The Chaoyang community is typical of the aging communities found in Chinese cities. One third of the 6,077 residents from 2,271 households in the community are aged over 60, and many senior citizens have children working in other places. According to Guo Yinping, deputy secretary of the community's Party branch, 71 residents live alone all year round.

In recent years, the community has come up with many ideas aimed at caring for the elderly empty nesters. At first, they launched a campaign called "Knocking on the Door", which involved paying frequent visits to relevant households. Then, they tried giving out "contact cards", hoping that the seniors would contact the community cadres if they needed help. However, the community did not have sufficient staff to effectively support so many elderly people.

Finally, the idea of "shared children "emerged, based around the idea of volunteers pairing off with individual elderly people.

"The 'Shared Children' voluntary service allows compassionate people to participate in public welfare activities for the senior empty nesters in their spare time," says Guo, adding that not only did the local residents join in with great enthusiasm, but many staff members from nearby supermarkets, banks and other working units also signed up.

By March, the number of the volunteers in the team had stabilized at 108. Their work has also been further refined and clarified, including purchasing goods, providing spiritual comfort, assisting in dealing with health issues and other duties.

The volunteers are not all youngsters. The term "shared children" is more of an expression of affection rather than a reference to age. Last year, Fan Fawen, a retired train driver, signed up to support the volunteer team in its work. He often helps to repair household appliances in elderly people's homes and buys them fruit and vegetables, as well as carrying heavy stuff, like rice sacks, upstairs.

"They also give me homemade pickles and pastries. I can feel their warmth, which in turn encourages me to help them more," Fan says.

Liu Chunyan, 41, is also among the volunteers. "Many elderly citizens now live alone and feel lonely, so we should keep them company and chat with them more often. Sometimes what they really need is not a helper, but somebody to talk to," Liu says.

Chen Desheng, an 88-year-old resident in the community, is among the empty nesters who have benefited from the system. "The volunteers are familiar with the situation of every household. When some elderly residents have problems, such as a water leak, the volunteers help coordinate the maintenance effort and get the problem solved promptly. When we are bored, it's nice to have them to chat with," says Chen.

Hao Guoying, secretary of the community's Party branch, says that the "Shared Children" service has brought the elderly empty nesters a sense of kinship, while the volunteers get some exercise, and it further promotes an atmosphere of respecting and caring for the elderly.

"More people are now starting to learn about the team. Some college students also want to join in the campaign during weekends and holidays. We believe that more people will join us in the future," says Hao.

Xinhua