The invaluable service rendered by elders to the country’s development activities in the past should not be forgotten by the youth in today’s society.
They should not only focus attention on their educational activities, but also know about the values of ethics which help to develop their moral principles
These are the remarks made by Principal, Angel International School, Manipai in Jaffna, Dr. Noel Vimalendran during an awareness program conducted for schoolchildren on ‘Elders’. The program was organized by the Youth Education Division of HelpAge Sri Lanka.
Speaking further on the value of elders, Principal Vimalendran highlighted numerous social problems faced by many elderly citizens in the country due to the lack of attention paid to them.
He commended the valuable service rendered by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) towards such underprivileged citizens and said, even the children of Angel International School are taught to care for one another, like HelpAge which encourages children to help the elders.
Addressing the students, Principal Vimalendran stressed the importance of treating senior citizens, considering the fact that they have shed sweat and toiled to develop the motherland, in the past.
In addition to schoolchildren, teachers and staff members, HelpAge officials Geethal Mendis, Lionel Premachandra and Ananda Kannangara were present at the occasion.
The Principal called upon the students of Angel International School to entertain the elders during their twilight days, without isolating them by sending them to Elders’ Homes.
“As the concept of HelpAge Sri Lanka, it is our paramount duty to help elders to lead dignified ,secure, active and healthy lives considering these citizens not as a burden but a valuable asset to society,”.
He invited countrywide schools to be partners in the program and requested HelpAge to conduct such programs in other schools too.
Listening to the emotional speech made by the Principal on the value of elders, a teacher of Angel International School volunteered to extend her services to HelpAge in the future.
HelpAge Youth Education Director, Geethal Mendis explained that the schoolchildren participated in the social work rendered by HelpAge to uplift the living standards of underprivileged senior citizens by providing them with free medical services, free cataract surgeries and also financial assistance to engage in livelihood activities.
Director Mendis cited several leading personalities in the international arena including, the former American President Barack Obama and said, how he looked after his grandmother until her demise.
He also quoted former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and said everybody in today’s world should think that we all grow old one day, and everybody should help each other.
“Therefore, I would once again make a fervent request from all students to treat their elders, considering it as a noble cause,” he added.
- Ananda Kannangara