Linden seniors benefit from LFU/LOAM ‘Senior Retreat’ initiative

In response to the seniors expressing the need for more opportunities for meaningful, productive and engaging interactions with their peers, Linden Fund U.S.A- Guyana (LFU) in collaboration with Ladies on a Mission (LOAM), on Wednesday, hosted its first of many gatherings on the lawns of the LFU Office which saw the participation of scores of seniors who anticipated the social engagement. The initiative involves the hosting of a social gathering several times a year at regular intervals, which aims to address the social isolation many seniors face.

Each retreat will have a theme; this month’s theme fittingly was in observance of Emancipation. Two students, who are participants in LFU’s Scholarship for Success programme, shared information about the holiday with the seniors which aims at promoting intergenerational interaction.

The initiative was birthed from an engagement with seniors during the Linden Town Week, Linden Fund USA/LFU Guyana Inc. with over 225 senior citizens in the community to better understand their lives. Two small group forums and a twelve-question survey revealed insightful results about their feelings, preferences, and needs. Some of the feedback showed that while 54% of respondents do
not feel bored or stuck at home, 70% expressed a strong desire for social interaction, highlighting a preference for community engagement. A notable 81% wanted more senior-specific activities, with 59% giving concrete suggestions.
One of these suggestions included frequent and relaxed social gatherings with their friends.
The combined feedback from the forum participants and survey results provided a clear roadmap for improving the lives of seniors in Linden.

In response, LFU Guyana Inc. in collaboration with LOAM have collaborated to show our seniors that their voices are heard. In attendance were 65 seniors who testified to having a grand time. LOAM’s Founder Camille Cummings said LOAM’s mission to serve vulnerable groups in the community includes serving the senior citizens and this initiative is another manifestation of the group’s service. LOAM already executes a monthly breakfast programme for pensioners and this additional commitment will further enable the seniors’ needs to be met. “We will bring senior citizens together and let them be able to socialize and learn new things, be made comfortable and be treated with love and respect.