Through videos, storytelling and sharing of dreams, the MWA Project aims:
- to break down stigmas around older people and ageism;
- to increase intergenerational connection between younger and older individuals
- and to highlight that older individuals continue to dream and grow no matter what their age is.
It will focus on a variety of older individuals around the island; ranging from individuals staying in care homes to individuals who are still active in society and/or living at their own homes or supported by family. It aims to celebrate older individuals by showcasing their stories and dreams on social media and across Mauritius. There will be a few events to highlight the project. There will be a call to action to individuals and care homes across the island to participate in this project.
What is Ageism?
Ageism is characterized by discrimination or unfair treatment based on a person’s age.
Why is Ageism a problem?
Ageism can impact someone’s confidence, job prospects, financial situation, and quality of life.
Project MWA is complimented by The Eden Alternative
An internationally recognized person-centred care philosophy that encourage the continuation of resident’s personal growth rather than decline and value what’s important to the person. It values authentic relationships where people can become truly well-known.
3 Phases of Project MWA
The Pilot
- Connecting older individuals from 2 different care homes with individuals who are from different age groups.
- Facilitating conversations and sharing off dreams. Making video recordings and sharing some of the stories and dreams on social media.
- Facilitating a Tree of Dreams Celebration: all the residents and staff members of care homes sharing their dreams and hanging their dreams in a tree as a symbol of continuous growth and hope.
- Making videos of these events to showcase and use for awareness raising.
Call to Action & Empowerment
- Inviting and equipping Care Homes across the island to also participate in the sharing of dreams between different generations’ and Tree of Dreams celebrations at their own care communities
- Sponsoring 2 to 3 people from each home that participates to do a 3-day certified Eden Associate training that will empower them in their current working environment and help them to become driving agents of change.
- Challenging both younger and older individuals across the island to have conversations and share their dreams with each other and with Mauritius. This will be done through social media as well as at a “dream station” set up at public points on different occasions. All the dreams (with permission) will be shared on social media. Prizes to be won.
- A public Tree of Dream Celebration where all the dreams collected will be showcased on the big screen and more dreams will be recorded and shared and put in the tree as a symbol of hope.
“Adopt a dream”
The final stage is about making dreams come true. This is not the main aim of the project, but an extension. We do not promise to make people’s dreams come true, but we rather encourage people to always keep on dreaming. But in this phase, we will call on people across the island to commit to making some of the older individuals dreams come true.