The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Social Technology Bureau (STB), commenced on Monday (October 4) the Session Guidebook writeshop on the agency’s upcoming intergenerational project dubbed “APO KO: Kwento ni Lolo’t Lola, Gabay ng Kabataan,” that seeks to cultivate meaningful connection and mutual enrichment between older adults and children.

On behalf of STB Director Helen Suzara, Social Welfare Officer Kyrie Eleison Taganap led the keynote address of the 4-day writeshop at Greenhills Elan Hotel in San Juan City, where he emphasized that the event will focus on drafting guidebook for the developing program’s banner component “Apo, Lola at Lolo” sessions.

For the said sessions, elderly volunteers from DSWD’s residential care facilities will be capacitated to teach children aged 4-5 from child developmental centers. The lessons will revolve on character-enriching values, and serve as an avenue for older persons and children to share their knowledge, skills, and experiences in ways that benefit both groups.

As a part of the preparation for the project launch in February 2025, the writeshop gathered STB personnel, houseparents, social workers and psychometricians from the DSWD Field Office (FO) National Capital Region (NCR) and FO 4-A – CALABARZON.

Residents from the Golden Reception and Action Center for the Elderly and Special Cases (GRACES) in Quezon City and the Haven for the Elderly in Tanay, Rizal were also invited. They are the target beneficiaries of the pilot implementation of the project. (LSJ)