Lúcia Cunha
Ortiz:
“Elderly people
enjoy less
social contact
than people
of other age
groups”
The coordinator
of the Family
Department of
the Spiritist
Association
Obreiros do Bem,
in the Brazilian
city of São
Carlos, explains
the
idea behind
avogelização,
or
evangelisation
for the elderly
|
Lúcia Cunha
Ortiz (photo),
a Spiritist
since 1989,
works as a
volunteer at the
Spiritist
Association
Obreiros do Bem,
in São Carlos,
in the state of
São Paulo. She
has a PhD in
History of
Science. She is
the coordinator
of the Family
Department and
is also in
charge of the
evangelisation
programme. In
this interview,
she talks about
the project of
evan-
|
gelisation of
the elderly,
known as
avogelização
(avô/avó is
Portuguese for
grandfather/grandmother).
|
What is
avogelização?
It is an
extension of the
programme of
evangelisation
for elderly
people. The
activities are
scheduled for
the same time as
those directed
at other age
groups. The aim
is to set up a
support network
that helps
others
appreciate the
elderly and
encourage joint
and constructive
reflection about
issues and
problems that
are common at
that stage of
life. For each
group that is
formed we make
an assessment of
the main issues
and concerns
they have.
When and how did
the idea come
up?
It came up a few
years ago, with
grandparents who
used to bring
their children
regularly for
the
evangelisation,
or Gospel,
classes. The
idea matured and
eventually
became a
reality. I am
not aware of a
similar project
being developed
anywhere else.
Who are the
people taking
part? What is
the reaction to
the idea?
The project is
new and many
people are still
reluctant and
suspicious. But
we will not give
up that easily.
It began six
months ago and
we have not, as
yet, had any
feedback from
other Spiritist
groups or
organisations.
All the
participants so
far are women.
They are not
necessarily
widows, but they
are very often
lonely. We have
not had a single
man in the
group. I think
the old boys
still avoid
admitting that
they need help,
companionship or
simply
friendship.
Based on your
experience, what
would you like
to tell our
readers about
this issue?
I would like to
come up with a
few provocative
statements:
-
Do we know how
to deal with
this group of
older people?
-
Do we generally
meet their
demands and
requirements?
In Brazil we
have the Elderly
Statute, a
number of
important
legislation to
protect their
rights. Public
policies in that
area have
improved. We can
even afford to
be proud of some
of our country’s
achievements.
-
What visibility
does the elderly
get in Spiritist
Centres?
The way
Spiritist
Centres are
organised
usually reflect
our society and
prevailing
cultural values.
That means we
may well not be
giving old
people within
Spiritism the
value they have.
-
A big cultural
problem we have
is the lack of
visibility of
elderly people
in our society.
What is the
impact of that?
It means that
elderly people
enjoy less
social contact
than people of
other age
groups.
Is there
anything else
you would like
to add?
I have observed
the changes in
those who
decided to come
and find out
about our
project. They
have changed
their behaviour,
attitude and
even their body
language and the
way they look at
the elderly. Our
project is now
six months old
and is being
coordinated by
Maria José
Castilho and two
Spiritist
psychologists,
Almir Del Prette
and Zilda A. P.
Del Prette.
According to
Almir, “avogelização
is a study group
gathering old
people who are
interested in
chatting,
learning and
cooperating in
the activities
of the Spiritist
Centre, as well
as the family
and their
community. Oh,
and the term
“old people”
does not bother
us at all”.