Today was the first Alzheimer's Meeting we had in 2012 ^^ and it was really special as we have another new member Akshita from grade 10, ,who re-joined our group after somet time.
As leaders, me and my co-leader Harini discussed about raising more awareness around the school community especially the younger ones in the primary school and didn't have a chance to approach them yet. In order to achieve this macro-goal, we came up with an idea of a memory box, where one is encouraged to bring his/her special memory-related object to place it inside the time capsule which would be kept underground so that that person can come back to it later. However, I reflected and evaluated on the effectiveness in terms of both keeping their memories and promoting more awareness about the disease. Fair enough, it would have been a more open-minded and caring approach if we stepped out of our comfort zone and tried to feel what it would it be like when someone cannot treasure the precious memories with loved ones. However, question arises whether it is actually practical and realistic and also whether it is possible to keep someone's privacy. Therefore, I tried to be more objective and realistic about it and communicated and discussed my ideas with the whole group. We were then able to come to a general agreement and came up with different ideas and ways to promote them and plan them in a more practical and effecitve way.
This includes attending the primary school's assembly and asking the students to share some of their most memorable moments and then help them realize about some of the difficulties others, especially the elderly ones face in doing what they are capable of. Another brilliant idea includes promoting art competition, where we would ask the primary school students to submit the drawings of thier memorable/happy moments, setting the foundation of raising awareness for them. While motivating them with different prizes; I suggested and communicated that we should give different prizes such as 'most colourful' or 'most inspiring' instead of having first,second...; we can also use those drawings and artistic works to donate to the Alzheimer's center to relieve some tension and sadness there and make it a happier place! The third idea we communicated and exchanged was promoting some sales, such as pen, cards and possibly T-shirts, at the Food and Fun Fair.
This is a different boundary, outside our comfort zone, in which approach younger and more sensitive groups to engage them in this global issue and help them realize and become more aware of what is going on around hte world. In fact, dementia is something that can come upon any families at any time. This would require more thorough planning and cooperation with the new people, including the primary school principal and teachers as well as the students and parents.
Another important aspect Harini and I have to work on is getting ready to pass on the leadership to the juniors, as we will be leaving for studies and graduation soon. Thus we communicated about the challenges we faced when we suddenly became leaders as we did not receive much training/preparation and took lead in promoting our service as more active, meaningful and fruitful one. It would be easier and more helpful if we shared some of our responsibilities with the juniors who are eligible to become the next leaders so that they would know what sort of planning, communication and organization are required. Also,we hope to share about our privileges that we enjoyed from being in this group and leading it together.
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