Teenagers and old people aren’t the obvious pairing you’d expect to make waves in the positive progress of humankind. But it turns out they’re a dream combo.
Young people in Brazil who want to learn English are Skyping with elderly Americans who just want to chat with someone. And they’re becoming best mates.
The incredibly sweet concept “Speaking Exchange” was thought up by FCB Brazil. Joanna Monteiro, executive creative said to newspaper AdWeek: “The idea is simple and it’s a win-win proposition for both the students and the American senior citizens. It’s exciting to see their reactions and contentment. It truly benefits both sides.”
Busting the suffocating boundaries between cultures, ages, languages and stereotypes, the program is the sort of thing that could be replicated around the world to bring a bit of light to older people’s lives, and offer opportunities for young people – especially those from deprived backgrounds who will most benefit from the extra language skills.
Max Geraldo, FCB Brazil’s executive director must have had pplkind in mind when he commented: “The beauty of this project is in CNA’s belief that we develop better students when we develop better people.”
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Image credit: FCB Brazil
Filed under: Culture, Kindness, Mind
