The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Social Technology Bureau (STB) conducted a pre-testing session for its innovative intergenerational project which seeks to foster a good relationship between older people and young children.

The event took place on Wednesday (November 20) at the Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Quezon City.

Dubbed as “Apo Ko: Kwento ni Lolo’t Lola, Gabay ng Kabataan,” the project is designed to create a supportive and dynamic community where the wisdom of the elderly is shared with the younger generation, fostering mutual understanding, empathy, and cooperation.

Through this initiative, the DSWD aims to enhance life skills, promote social well-being, and nurture values among children, especially respect and a deep appreciation of their cultural heritage.

At the core of the project is intergenerational learning, where older persons from the DSWD Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs) will pass on important life lessons, values, traditional knowledge, and cultural stories to children aged 4 to 5 years old in selected Child Development Centers (CDCs).

The sessions are designed to strengthen intergenerational relationships and instill important values such as respect for elders, kindness, and responsibility among the young beneficiaries. Through this program, older persons will feel valued and appreciated and have the opportunity to embrace active aging, staying engaged and empowered.

The project is set to be piloted in February 2025. (AKDL)