January 27, 2025 • Ongoing

Chhobi Mon

Chhobi Mon : an initiative of Sahay Foundation to improve quality of life of the seniors

The term “old age” is often associated with a certain image that makes ageing and, specifically, old age an undesirable inevitability of life. “Active ageing”, on the other hand, calls for a graceful celebration of life; cherishing the metaphorical sunset years as much as the sunrise that heralds the beginning of the magical phenomenon, we call “life”. Sahay Foundation’s project, Chhobi Mon is a tribute to “Life”. 

Based on experience we gathered while working with the elders for five years, we started  “Chhobi Mon”, an initiative designed to bring the charm of colour pencils and drawing papers to seniors. The programme has been rolled out at a senior home in Kolkata. The inmates are encouraged to participate in art and craft and the common room transformed into a full – fledged clubhouse buzzing with activity. Today, the Home has once a week clubhouse evening, when our volunteers visit the Home and facilitate activities like playing board games, taking music lessons, reciting poems, crafting, stitching etc.

Aspiration 

  • Active social participation of seniors.
  • Wellness of seniors by engaging them to explore their passions, nurturing latent talents and acquiring skills for a more purposeful living. 
  • Spreading joy at twilight hours of life.

Action

  • A club like ambience created in the common room of a senior home. The club setting includes comfortable seating arrangement, a space curved out as a studio with large table, colour pencils, drawing papers & paints, a music corner and a small tea & snacks kiosk. The flexible arrangement aims providing a comfortable ambience that encourages social participation – interactions, collaboration and friendly competition.
  • Volunteers facilitating creative activities of the seniors. 
  • Active participation of seniors in board games, art activities like painting and crafts. 
  • Organising cultural events/ games competition on special occasion each month– NABA BARSHA, RABINDRA JAYANTI, BIJOYA SAMMILANI etc – seniors singing, reciting and staging drama. 
  • Showcasing the art works hand-crafted by the seniors and marketed commercially at various exhibitions
  • Last but not least, provision for logistical  support to any personal needs of the seniors

Planning

  • Regular attendance of the seniors
  • Convenient time (5 to 7 pm, once a week)
  • Nearer to place of stay (convenience of the elders)
  • Proper duration of time (preferably two hours)
  • Purposeful activity (accomplishment and fulfillment) 
  • Creative activity
  • Passionate facilitator

Team: One coordinator, facilitator and the seniors.

Sustainability plan 

  • Wellness metrics collected and evaluated(wellness register to be maintained)
  • Audit at regular intervals
  • Modification as per requirement
  • Grooming of facilitator from among the seniors

A few articles showcased here are handcrafted by the seniors are

  1. Greeting cards and decorated envelopes
  2. Bookmarks 
  3. Crochet Coasters
  4. Cross-stitched frames
  5. Dining mats
  6. Woolen Mufflers
  7. Kitchen Towels
  8. Wooden coasters 
  9. Diyas and candle holders

A word of appreciation for the wonderful artworks would be well received.

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