Iraq: Sulaimanyah - Learning from the Elderly

The elderly often face marginalization within their communities. They are mistreated and disrespected. However the elderly have many important lessons to teach us.  The have life experiences from which they can draw on and offer us wisdom and advice.

On June 27^th GCC youth arranged a visit to Sulaimanyah Old people’s home where around 21 older men and women live. The event began with an introduction. GCC youth introduced themselves and then they asked the old people to talk about themselves including what the happiest thing in their life was. Later everyone sat together at a big table and ate lunch, as if they were a big family. After that GCC youth interviewed the elderly about their past lives. The youth started with the questions about the difference between past lives and currents lives, what are noticeable changes in climate, and modernization.

The purpose of the project is to collect interviews from the elderly.  The youth will then compile all the interviews and print them as a booklet. The old people were happy to engage with the youth. They sang songs and recited poems for the GCC youth.