LEBANON: Grandma, Grandpa Club Opens In Tyre

TYRE, Lebanon (The Daily Star), February 8, 2008: "The Grandmother and Grandfather Club" has opened in Tyre earlier this week, Caritas Lebanon, an NGO, has announced. The club is the place where the region's elderly are offered free food, leisure, outings and medical services. The club opens its doors every Monday and Wednesday and offers its visitors the opportunity to meet, interact with each other and enjoy their time. While some spend the day relating old stories and sharing problems, others enjoy playing backgammon or reading books in the club's library. A dietician is on hand to advise seniors with an appropriate nutritional program. A woman identified as Umm Elias Shammas told The Daily Star that she takes pleasure in spending her time at the club. "I talk with my fellow citizens about the past, hoping to relive our youth," she said, regretfully. "Our past days are much more beautiful than the present ones." Naamat Shour, another visitor, expressed content to be a member of the club. "The situation here is excellent. We have everything we need to ease our sufferings. And most of all, we have a physician who takes care of our health." Doris Ghafari, supervisor of the club, said the elderly "have the right to live in psychological and social security. We are doing this work since we believe that humans, particularly grandmothers and grandfathers, have the right to live in dignity," she said. "We should provide them with the care they need. The rights of the elderly ought to be sacred. We are glad to carry out such a humanitarian mission that responds to our ethical and social values as well as our religious doctrines," she added. By Mohammed Zaatari, Daily Star staff Copyright © 2008, The Daily Star.