The Village Assistance Program from SurveyMETER continued in 2015. This year, it focused on assisting the elderly in Watugedug Hamlet, Guwosari Village. It was a self-initiative and independent program held by SurveyMETER under full support of the Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI). In 2013-2014 this assistance program concentrated on issues of village administration systems, basic public services of ECED, the preparation of village profiles, and the elderly group empowerment in Guwosari Village and Jatimulyo Village.

Assistance activities for the elderly in Watugedug Hamlet were focused on mentoring the capacity of companion cadres. They commenced with training in elderly gymnastics for the elderly companion cadres of Watugedug Hamlet on April 5, 2015. It was expected that after participating in the training they could lead the elderly to exercise. In this initial activity, the elderly were directly involved. They felt happy because apart from being able to gather with other elderly people, they also got the benefits directly because they felt better and fresher after participating in gymnastics. This elderly exercise program was scheduled once a month in conjunction with the implementation of the elderly posyandu.

The following activity was socialization and advocacy from SurveyMETER to the Guwosari Village government as well as providing additional material to the elderly companion cadres of Watugedug Hamlet on April 28, 2015. SurveyMETER invited Mr. Sudiman M.Pd.I of the Social Organization Melati Sleman to advocate for village staff and elderly companion cadres. SurveyMETER also provided assistance with 3 units of tensimeters to the elderly companion cadres of Watugedug Hamlet on the occasion.

Another program was "homecare" visits by companion cadres to bedridden elderly people or those who are no longer capable to perform daily activities independently. The cadre team was divided into 3 groups, each of which had dependent elderly assisted based on the area to visit. They conducted several activities during home care, such as providing food parcels, participating in cleaning their houses if necessary, performing blood pressure measurements, and last but not least, listening to their storytelling. The elderly seemed commonly feeling lonely so they need a friend to talk to or just listen to their stories. It commenced on May 3, 2015, and used to be routinely held every two weeks.

The village community most welcomed these empowerment programs.

(TPA/JF)