New Acropolis India (Bangalore) has launched a special volunteering initiative called CONNECT, which aims to empower senior citizens in these challenging times. The launch of the initiative took the form of an hour-long online session attended by around a hundred senior citizens from all over the country. Organized and presented by volunteers of New Acropolis, this opening session created awareness amongst the participants of various online services and applications that they could use to add value to their lives in these challenging times when it is recommended to stay indoors.

Ankit Jain, one of the main organizers from New Acropolis, says that the group of volunteers who worked on this project felt that this was an answer to a strong need at this time, as many elders were isolated and could not go about their lives in a regular manner. The idea of the CONNECT initiative is that technology and technology-based services offer some practical alternatives in these times. With this as the focus, the session focussed on familiarising senior citizens with aspects like making video calls to stay in touch with their loved ones, shopping online for groceries and medicines and other online avenues that can enrich their lives, like accessing music collections, audiobooks, interesting recipes and learning new skills.

Here are a few of the responses that were shared by participants-

Mrs. Ratna called it a “very special session”, stating that she “enjoyed the session, it was very useful and practical”. Mrs. Sarla Vasudevan also attended the session and said the enthusiasm with which the session was conducted was heartening. “Loved the simplicity and clarity of the session”, she shared, adding that technology for many senior citizens is intimidating and the session helped demystify it.

Other senior citizens also shared this apprehension with using technology. Mr. Nitin Khambati said, “I am 75 and too much technology is very confusing. Till now I had asked my staff to do it but this lockdown period has made it difficult. Everyone requires online payments and I realize how important it is.” He also says that after the CONNECT session, he has now learned how to make conference calls on WhatsApp. “Yesterday, I made a call to my daughter in London and I could easily connect many people to the call!”

Mrs. Usha Divekar said the seminar was like “opening up a new chapter”. “Many times seniors feel they cannot do this and that it is too much. That is not true. This session really made me feel like I can do it. I have had a laptop for 6 years, but thanks to this session I am now opening it. I just made my first online transaction yesterday!”

According to the organizers, the goal of the CONNECT initiative goes beyond this session – a dedicated helpline number (+91 9036040443) has been opened for senior citizens through which volunteers of New Acropolis can be contacted for technology support over call, to assist with installing and using various applications on the computer or smartphone. Additionally, a specially designed instruction booklet has also been created by the volunteers that list links to various helpful services and applications across multiple categories. The instruction booklet can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/2Zj0WUX

The initiatives and efforts of New Acropolis in over 60 countries also support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, the SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The CONNECT initiative is an action towards goal 16 of the SDGs: to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

HELPFUL LINKS

Senior Citizens across India can call the CONNECT helpline (+91 9036040443) for any support from New Acropolis (India) volunteers on using different technology options.

The instruction booklet mentioned in the article can be accessed at https://bit.ly/2Zj0WUX