The older generation is doing its best to navigate a tech-infused world and bridge the generational gap on a technological aspect. Take for example The Grandma’s Club which hosted younger generations in the IT field to not only be brought to speed on all things technology but also initiate in-depth discussions on the impact elderly citizens have on the community and younger generations. ALSO READ: Senior women seek to bridge the digital gap between and old The Grandma’s Club is a support assembly for middle-aged and elderly women who socialise and indulge in fitness activities as a group. Members of the club include women from the age of 55-86. The women convene for fitness and social activities, all with the intention to maintain consistent health, an age-appropriate friend group, and redefine the narrative that people their age cannot have a life outside their immediate families and homes. To celebrate International Women’s Day this year, The Grandma’s Club hosted a multi-generational panel discussion at K-lab Kacyiru to address the role played by the elderly in shaping young minds, as well as what both generations stand to learn from one another, especially in line with the day’s theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. Different panellists shared their views on what the grandmothers in their lives symbolise and how technology can and has been used to better their lives, personally and professionally. For Bernadette Kabango Mumporeze, one of the panellists, passing on the experiences she learnt from life to younger generations fills her with the hope that they won’t fall into the same predicaments she did. “Sharing my experiences with young people helps both of us. It gave them context to some of life’s challenges and how to navigate them, and it helps to know there’s someone looking out for you. While I’m taught basic skills like how to take a screenshot and how to retain information for a later time,” she said. Sandra Nicole Umurungi, one of the panellists, who works as a software engineer, recalled the role her upbringing had on her career choices, reminiscing on how challenging it had been for her to navigate classes like Artificial Intelligence that were predominantly male. But with the ‘can do’ mentality she got from her parents and grandparents, she was able to graduate with honours. She went on to encourage the young women in the audience to find a way to impact their community, using an anecdote that one of the ways girls can repay their grandmothers for the advice they gave them is to help them learn how to use their phones. “We shouldn’t be controlled by social media. We should equip our grandmas with digital skills and make an impact,” Umurungi said. In honour of Women’s Day, Kabango shared tips on success, like being financially independent or working towards that goal, living a purposeful life and knowing why you’re doing what you’re doing as it keeps you grounded. One of The Grandma’s Club’s activities on a regular basis is workouts at the health hub. They started the workouts as a group of eight and the group has expanded to over 30 members. Ange Iradukunda, currently the fitness instructor, says some of the ladies had been her clients in the past, and working out in a group setting helps them stay consistent. “Most of the ladies have dealt with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and I used to be their physiotherapist at the time. I was happy to see most of them on their feet and in the gym, and there’s something empowering about seeing them exercise,” Iradukunda said. After realising that most grandmothers don’t get out much, Eva Gara, founded The Grandma’s Club to give them a reason to get out of the house, and the workouts were a good idea at the start, and the friendships they formed from there made way for socialising and more inclusion. “The grandmas getting together for fitness is ideal, but I would also like us to visit schools and speak to young people about fitness and also have fun. The dream is for these ladies to get out of their shells and live out their dreams, maybe through a bucket list. I hope to see them live exciting and fulfilling lives,” Gara said.
