The statistic that stood out the most last Friday when a new project involving elderly and children was being launched was that six per cent of the residents at St Vincent de Paule home never get any visitors.

The figure was given when Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Helen D’Amato gave details of a programme which will see groups of children attending Skolasajf visit the elderly on a regular basis.

Once summer is over, the project will continue during the scholastic year when various schools will be encouraged to “adopt a ward”.

Bringing elderly and children closer through such a scheme is a brilliant idea for many reasons. First of all, apart from spending their time just entertaining themselves and learning, children will be carrying out social work.

This already in itself is an experience that is worth it. Children will learn that growing up does not only mean going to school in winter and enjoying oneself during the holidays. By opening up this scenario, children will learn that there is more to life. Such an experience will help them mature.

Secondly, elderly people who have still so much to give to the community will be sharing their knowledge with the younger generations and, at the same time, will have something more to do, something that will give them fulfilment. By passing on their wealth of experience to the younger ones they would feel loved and appreciated.

Thirdly, children will learn to respect the elderly citizens of our country, those who struggled to make Malta a better place to live in, a better place that these children are living in now.

Fourthly, the presence of children in wards will make the elderly people’s day more lively and fun, and possibly bring a smile back on their face.

It is often the case that different generations do not understand each other, and sometimes they blame each other too. What should be realised is that the world changes every day, let alone over 20-25 years or more.

The elderly must understand that their way of life has evolved into what is the world today. Youths must understand that they should never mock an elderly person’s advice or approach, but listen to it and try to adapt it to their way of living.

To go back to statistics, it is a real pity – and a shame – that six per cent of the over 1,000 residents at St Vincent de Paule do not get any visitors. One asks: is it possible that they have no relatives left? And, if they do, is it possible that these relatives never find the time to go and visit them? Not even one hour per week?

Can these relatives live with the fact that they have abandoned the person who has raised them when they were young? Or who has helped them when they were in need?

The least they could do is go visit their elderly relatives. Of course, they might have been differences in the past, but should these be allowed to create such a chasm? Is it not the time to make amends and re-build a relationship? In a few months’ time it could be too late, and one will never get over the remorse of having been given the chance but not taking it.

On the other hand, it is good to note that 60 per cent of the residents at St Vincent de Paule get three or four visits every week. This means that, as a general rule, Maltese society still values its elderly citizens and that families still appreciate what their forefathers did for them.

The project being implemented at St Vincent de Paule is a step forward and should be followed up. Let us not forget that there are many elderly people who live on their own at home. Even they need all the support they can get. Even they would appreciate spending an hour in a different way than their normal routine.