Grandmother Deeply Engaged in Online Chatting with Grandchildren...

Yongsan-gu Volunteer Center Conducts Non-Face-to-Face Youth Companion Service... Helping Elderly Overcome 'COVID Blue'
Youth and Seniors Matched 1:1, Four 40-Minute Virtual Conversations Each

Online Chat Screen Between a Teenager and Grandmother

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seongjang Hyun) conducted an online companion volunteer program for elderly living alone called 'Annyeonghaseyo? Halmam Halfapapa.'

The Yongsan-gu Volunteer Center (Director Yesun Jo) prepared this program to check on the emotional well-being of elderly people experiencing COVID-19 blues.

'Annyeonghaseyo? Halmam Halfapapa' is a program where youth and elderly are paired 1:1 and have a total of four conversations per team.

From February 14 to March 11, 10 youths and 11 elderly participated. The conversations were held for 40 minutes each session using the non-face-to-face video program ZOOM.

In January, the center recruited youth volunteers interested in nursing and counseling fields through the 1365 Volunteer Portal and conducted pre-education from February 8 to 10.

The training content included ▲Understanding the elderly and psychological counseling methods ▲Conversation techniques ▲Practical companion conversation exercises.

Yesun Jo, Director of Yongsan-gu Volunteer Center, stated, "It is very meaningful for elderly people, who are easily isolated in the non-face-to-face era, to experience online communication," and added, "It will be an opportunity for youth to understand the older generation."

The online connection using ZOOM was supported by Hyochang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center. A life support worker dispatched from the welfare center visited the elderly’s homes to assist with the conversations.

Lee So-eui (Namyangju, 18), who participated in the volunteer work, said, "Hearing my grandfather’s stories about his hardships in Saudi Arabia when he was young vividly reminded me of Korea’s development process I learned in history class," and added, "I felt emotional thinking that we live comfortably thanks to the elderly, and I looked forward to the next volunteer session."

The center plans to expand non-face-to-face volunteer activities that connect generations, such as online companion grandchildren.

Seongjang Hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, "Communication is the best way to resolve conflicts," and encouraged, "I hope many people participate in the volunteer programs prepared by the Yongsan-gu Volunteer Center."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.