Prendi in casa uno studente

"Take a student home" is a project organised by the non-for-profit organisation MeglioMilano in the city of Milan. Retired citizens who can take care of themselves, live alone and would like to temporarily share their flat with a student have the possibility to let a room to a young person who has come to Milan to study. Currently, there are about 400.000 people living in Milan who are over 65 years of age.



This intergenerational project helps both, the young and not-so-young. Students do not have to pay high rents (Milan is the most expensive city in Italy) and only spend about 250 to 280 euros for the shared household (food etc.). Retired persons are not alone and get some support with daily work where needed. Both get to know a person they may get along with very well who is not from the peer group. The organisation knows the participating pensioners and how they live and makes sure to get to know the students well before making arrangements. Once it is settled who will live with whom, MeglioMilano asks for feedback from time to time (via).

- - - - - - - - - - -
photo Milano, Piazza Meda by Franco Gremignani) via

A Beautiful Project: Speaking Exchange

CNA language schools started the project "Speaking Exchange". The idea is to pair up Brazilian students who want to learn English with native speakers who happen to be residents of the Windsor Park Retirement Community in Chicago. Students and teachers have conversations via webcam and the English lessons seem to much more than just English lessons ... (via)



"You are my new granddaughter."
"Oh you were good looking when you were younger. And you're still good looking!"
"If you were here I would give you a big hug."

Related clip: watch



photos via and via

Frederika & Carmen: Super Mamikas. No pieces of furniture.

Sacha Goldberger, French photographer and grandson of 91-year-old Hungarian Frederika, started taking pictures of his grandmother when he found her feeling lonely and depressed in order to cheer her up.



Frederika was born in Budapest and saved the lives of ten people during World War II. After surviving Nazism, she emigrated to France. 



Goldberger's series "Mamika" ("grandma" in Hungarian) is a big success, Frederika keeps receiving messages such as "You're the grandmother that I have dreamed of, yould you adopt me?" and "You made my day, I hope to be like you at your age."



According to the photographer, his grandmother no longer shows the signs that worried him and made him start the series (text, photos via and via).







What you can't do is say that I'm an old woman, no good for anything. I should be in bed or in a rocking chair... No. You can't do that. (Carmen Delgado)

You see widows having their coffee and cakes in the afternoon, gossiping and eating cakes ... I thought, "Is that my life from now on? No. That's not what I want." Don't be defeated by the idea that you're old and no good for anything. You're not a piece of furniture. (Carmen Delgado)



Carmen Delgado started studying journalism together with her grandson. At that time she was 77. She graduated five years later. Congratulations, Carmen.

Alfred Hitchcock and the Role of Today's Grandfathers

From a family standpoint, grandparents have the symbolic roles of just being there, of being the family watchdog, the arbitrator and/or being active participants in the family's social construction of its history. From the grandchildren's standpoint, grandparents are historians, mentors, role models, nurturers and ... wizards. And wizards they are: Grandfathers - when they act as surrogate parents for children of teenager - can prevent intellectual and adaptive deficits and enhance cognitive development (Wilton & Davey, 2006). According to a Danish study, modern grandfathers change diapers and take the grandchildren to school. They take a role that was traditionally attributed to grandmothers (via).



Wilton, V. & Davey, J. A. (2006) Grandfathers - Their Changing Family Roles and Contributions (via)
Photo of Alfred Hitchcock with his grandchildren via

Intergenerational

"I love working with young people which to me is a big kick." 

Peter O'Toole

Photo via