Willcocks twins initiate community project designed to facilitate learning a second language.

 

Sewing bags that easily strap to walkers or wheelchairs - for the elderly or anyone with reduced mobility:  
 

 

A very kind lady taught our daughters, Susan and Katherine Willcocks, how to sew a simple bag that easily straps to a walker or wheelchair. The girls expanded and developed the project (with a little help from Mom, Dad, and big sister, Chelsea) by coming up with innovative and surprising ways to simultaneously serve many more people than just the recipients.

After some practice, they were each able to complete an attractive, lined bag in about 20 minutes.  They made as many as they could and then distributed them throughout the community.  Eventually though, they simply couldn't produce anymore, for many reasons. Chief among them was the fact that both of our sewing machines broke (as I'm not very gifted with sewing machines, my contribution to tangles led to fatal symptoms and eventual basement burial). Also, by then Susan and Katherine had become far too busy.

The girls like anything that serves multiple purposes, and therefore sought to use the project in a way that could put elderly people in long-term care facilities into a ''helping'' role, rather than constantly being the recipient of others' kindnesses. Seniors who are experienced sewers could teach children from local schools or organizations how to make the bags. Once the kids have had the chance to work with the elderly, they are more likely to volunteer in seniors' residences later in life, or even consider a career as a caregiver.  They also learn to appreciate and value their elders, and discover the joy that comes from improving someone’s life. The benefits extend far beyond the simple bag that is produced.

The sewing activity helps with second-language training.  Matching a child with an elder whose mother tongue is different, opens communication and becomes a mini, informal language lesson. Projects such as this strengthen the bond between seniors and caregivers, thus breaking down the language barriers that often exist between residents and staff in long-term care facilities.  Once the employees feel closer to the residents, they are more likely to approach them with questions about the language they are learning, and to practise with them. Again, when an employee asks for help with pronunciation or an expression, the resident then plays a helping role.
 
When people receive one of these community project bags, it changes their lives in such a wonderful and meaningful way. They can take their personal possessions from their bedroom to the dining room and beyond! Here's the final beauty of it: often, the ones who need them the most are those without family members who can afford to buy a fancier walker that comes equipped with a basket. Helping those who are already disadvantaged means a lot to us.

Julia Tinnion
Académie linguistique LES MOTS-DITS ANGLAIS

& École de langues de Lanaudière
 

Katherine & Susan Willcocks