Jade Stivala, an eight year old girl from Luqa, excitedly explains how her weekly activities with a group of people were great fun because she made a lot of new friends. “My friends were not only children my age,” she says, “but even elderly people.”

Darba Wahda is a project by Valletta 2018 which has now been organized throughout the island for the past two years. The idea is genius yet simple; for elderly people and children to spend quality time together over a creative platform, in which they learn from each other while having fun.

“We have a growing number of elderly people who are full of knowledge and wisdom, and also have the benefit of time and potential to be active members of our community but have limited opportunities to engage in social activities. Children on the other hand could benefit from learning from elderly people, have lots of positive energy to give, and could benefit from spending time with elderly people and in creative environments,” says Anna Formosa, the project leader.

Jade lists some of her favourite things that she learnt through the activities; including Maltese games from the past like zibeg, and learning things like “how different Maltese money used to look in the past,” she says.

“Darba Wahda offers a combination of factors,” says Anna Formosa, the project leader. “It gives elderly people the opportunity to feel valued, and young people the opportunity to enjoy developing healthy interactions and foster respect for the elderly. It also provides the opportunity for legacy by passing down stories and traditions.”

“Throughout the sessions they learn from each other, exercise their creativity, develop new skills, experience self-development and have fun in a safe, creative environment. The project promotes a sense of community and a sense of well-being addressing ageing, loneliness and the generation gap.”

Rosenne Micallef, a 70 year old woman from Siggiewi who participated in the project said how she would look forward to the weekly event. “When you go down to their level, you realize that elderly people and children really get on well,” she said. “We enjoyed sharing stories and experiences, and the children love listening.”

Since 2015, over 150 elderly people and children have participated in the sessions. The children aged between nine and twelve years old. The elderly participants were 60+, the eldest participant being 92 years old.

Linking back to the friendships which are created by the participants, Anna says how they “develop friendships which they know they will miss.” “They say they don’t want the sessions to stop and all say that they look forward to the sessions week after week,” she said.

Storytelling drama games and exercises, improvisation, arts & crafts and puppet making are a few of the activities throughout the sessions.

The Valletta 2018 project began in three different locations around Malta, and every season visits three or four different location. The project continues to be organized around various locations in Malta and Gozo until 2018, with the plan to be continued afterwards.

For mor information, visit the Darba Wahda page on Facebook, or www.valletta2018.org.