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Monday 8 August 2016

The Walk to Remember

It was a great experience. The local Boys and Girls Club of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, teamed with seniors in the community for a Walk with Generations along the boardwalk by the harbour.

 
                                                                              The harbour at low tide

The young leaders were raising funds to provide benches around the community for all residents, but especially seniors, in keeping with the city's Age Friendly City project.

Age Friendly City, AFC, is a program developed by the World Health Organization. 


Our city has a volunteer committee which is working to acquire this AFC status for the city. I work on that committee and walked with the young people.

At one station along the way, we listened to an AFC committee member describe her family and her life, growing up in the 1930s and 1940s in Ontario, Canada. 

 

At another, a local historian explained various artifacts and some of the history of this city and province. Refreshments rounded out the walk.

 

As I walked and chatted with three young women, trucks unloaded sand along the shoreline. We were aware of their work but not paying attention. Then the swinging back of a dump truck slammed as it unloaded sand. It startled us. "We are so fortunate to live in a place without gun violence," I said.

"Or bombs," said one of the young women. Not every child in the world is so fortunate.

The next day, a Syrian refugee family of nine children and their parents, arrived in Charlottetown on this island. They are sponsored by a local church and individuals who have a house and a support system ready to help them. We can only imagine what those children have seen and heard over their short lives. 

That day on the boardwalk, the truck noise was startling but with the reality of our lives here in this province and country, all generations felt safe. I hope, with time, this family, new to our country, will feel safe too. 

Story about the refugee family is here.



 

16 comments:

Tabor said...

The world is going crazy and I worry it will not get better as a whole generation was laid to waste with terrorism.

DJan said...

How wonderful to sponsor a family from Syria. I hope you get to meet them, and what a great thing AFC is. I'm going to read all about it now. Thanks for the links! :-)

Anvilcloud said...

It look like a very worthwhile project, and, yes, we are very fortunate. Good luck to the new arrivals.

ADRIAN said...

I have a bench I can rest on when walking back from the shops. There used to be two but the snowplough ran over one and it doesn't look as if it will be replaced.

Elephant's Child said...

Hooray for sponsoring a family who have seen things which 'shouldn't' be experienced. The link wouldn't work for me, but I am applauding loudly. I hope they find peace.

Shammickite said...

What a great idea, young and elderly together. We need more public seats around town, especially needed on very hot days.

Marie Smith said...

I know. We can't save everyone. We can only do what we can.

Marie Smith said...

AFC is great. I enjoy working on the committee.

Marie Smith said...

The kids appreciate this country! They were great kids.

Marie Smith said...

You need AFC there too.

Marie Smith said...

Me too, EC. There are a number of refugee families here in Summerside snd many more all around the province and country. It is a huge adjustment for them but people are happy to help.

Marie Smith said...

The young people were great. The benches are a great idea. People of all ages appreciate them.

Angela said...

Wonderful thing! Wish I was around to hear about the history. Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Scary times for many children. How wonderful one family found some peace.

Mage said...

Thanks for sharing these moments.

Marie Smith said...

You are welcome, Mage.