KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah said Tuesday that the “Family Gathering” initiative, which was recently launched by the Ministry, is aimed at bringing together elderly people in shelters with orphaned children in the social care sector. It also reflects the authentic values of Kuwaiti society. Minister Al-Huwailah added in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that the “Family Gathering” initiative represents an integrated humanitarian project that reflects Kuwait’s commitment to the approach of social solidarity and contributes to building strong social ties between different generations.

She explained that the initiative comes within the framework of efforts to enhance the values of solidarity in Kuwaiti society through close cooperation between the departments of elderly care and family nursery at the Ministry with the aim of achieving deep human communication between them and reviving the spirit of giving and communication between generations.

The initiative seeks to achieve several pivotal goals, including strengthening human ties between generations through meetings, where both parties can build human relationships that contribute to improving their psychological state, allowing the elderly to transfer their experiences and life experiences to children, while the children find in them emotional support that enhances their psychological balance.

She explained that providing a positive interactive environment between different age groups enhances feelings of familiarity and love and allows the elderly to feel the importance of their role in society by guiding the generation, adding that the initiative consolidates the values of giving and social responsibility. Regarding the initiative’s implementation strategy, Minister Al-Huwailah said that it will be implemented in stages to ensure maximum benefit.

The first stage began with coordinating efforts between the Elderly Care Department and the Family Nursery Department to identify participants from both categories while ensuring psychological and social rehabilitation to achieve positive interaction. She pointed out that work has begun on the second phase, which includes organizing interactive activities between the two parties, including dialogue sessions and recreational activities, as the elderly are encouraged to share their experiences with orphaned children.

Regarding monitoring the psychological impact on those included after implementing the initiative, the minister confirmed that the third phase includes periodic monitoring and evaluation of the psychological and social impact of these meetings with the aim of enhancing the quality of life for both the elderly and the orphans and ensuring the continuity of positive interaction.

She pointed to similar experiences that have demonstrated their success and positive role, such as the Generations Communication initiative implemented by the UAE, which contributed to achieving significant benefits, most notably improving the mental health of the elderly and reducing feelings of isolation, as well as raising awareness among young people about the importance of heritage and experiences carried by the elderly and reducing the gap between generations.

She referred to a British study on the “Adoptive Grandparents” initiative, which concluded that such initiatives contribute significantly to reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation among the elderly and strengthening ties between generations. Also, studies in Japan on the “Learning from the Elders” program showed that continuous interaction between young people and the elderly enhances mutual understanding and reduces the cultural gap between generations.

German studies on the “Multi-Generational Homes” initiative showed its role in improving the mental and physical health of the elderly and strengthening social ties among those included. These initiatives contribute to reducing feelings of isolation among older groups, improve children and youth’s understanding of the concept of aging and its challenges, and enhance the values of compassion and social integration, which positively reflect on society as a whole.

Charitable work

In another development, the Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood Affairs has emphasized the need to enhance transparency and governance in charitable work in line with international requirements and standards. The minister said during a meeting with representatives of 64 charitable societies and associations that the Ministry is working to protect and support charitable work. She explained that Kuwait is going through a supervisory review phase by international financial organizations, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), indicating that this review requires taking some steps to correct procedures related to charitable work.

She added that the measures taken by the Ministry aim to enhance transparency and maintain the flexibility of charitable work without negative effects, in addition to ensuring compliance with international standards, which enhances the reputation of Kuwait and ensures continuity in the pioneering role of Kuwaiti charitable work.

Regarding the circular issued on the travel ban of charitable delegates to some countries witnessing unstable security conditions, Al-Huwailah said that it aims to protect workers and ensure their safety, calling on representatives of associations to continue cooperating with the Ministry to ensure Kuwait’s commitment to the highest international standards in charitable work. — KUNA