Five seniors, including 104-year-old Ms. Rita, shared letters recounting significant moments in their lives. In response, secondary 4 and 5 students from Mont-de-La Salle school wrote letters, poems or comic strips.
This unique correspondence between two generations of Laval residents was celebrated on Tuesday, September 24 at the Mont-de-La Salle school library.
Marie-France Boivin, head of the Émile-Nelligan and Germaine-Guèvremont libraries, is at the origin of this intergenerational project.
“It was a way of breaking the isolation of the elders with whom I often work, while allowing young people to confront another generation. Often, we don’t naturally associate them, but their life paths are more similar than we think,” she explains.
This writing project made it possible to create a link between generations who, a priori, have little in common.
The challenges were numerous.
“We had to overcome logistical issues, particularly with regard to the mobility of seniors, and coordinate student schedules,” adds Marie-France Boivin. However, the experience revealed an unexpected depth of exchanges.
“Young people realized that they recognized themselves in the life stories of their elders, despite the age gap. It helped them understand that every generation has valuable lessons to offer.”
René Sanfaçon, witness to the past
René Sanfaçon, 81 years old, is one of the elders who participated in this correspondence. “The most important lesson I can pass on is knowing how to express yourself. I met quite a few people and even Prime Ministers who had difficulty speaking in public, whereas I, without university training, learned to do so. Knowing how to speak without complexes is an invaluable asset,” he shares.
He who has seen so many changes over the decades, particularly in the way of communicating, talks about adaptation to technology.
“I didn’t grow up with the Internet or social networks, but you learn quickly. Young people today have every means to stay connected, share their ideas and contribute to society in ways that were not possible in my time.”
For René Sanfaçon, this ability to adapt is the key to a long, fulfilling life.
Speaking of his childhood memories, he recalls a notable moment when he told saucy stories with friends, which taught him to understand the power of stories over the years. “These moments, even trivial ones, shaped my way of seeing life.”
Young people, hopes for the future
Kenee Ochoa-Sully and Mikaël Boileau, secondary 5 students, also took part in the adventure.
When asked what lessons they would like to learn from the older generation, Kenee responds without hesitation: “Family is a pillar in life. That’s what sustains you.”
For Mikaël, mutual aid is a key value: “When we help each other, we can go far together,” he says with confidence.
Faced with future challenges such as technology or climate change, Mikaël sees the future becoming even more technological.
“We must adapt to these changes, but this also requires us not to lose sight of the human values that our elders have transmitted to us.”
The two students also share their desire to reconnect with traditions that the previous generation left them.
“Spending less time on our phones and more time together, like our grandparents did, strengthens family bonds,” emphasizes Mikaël.
For Kenee, it is crucial to maintain a balance between modernity and human connections that transcend time.
“These young people have understood that the experience of their elders is an inestimable asset. They emerge from it grown, just like the elders who see themselves, through these exchanges, offered a new place in our society,” concludes Marie-France Boivin, for whom intergenerational relations are promising.
Simple and free
Meta (Facebook and Instagram) blocks your news from Courrier Laval, just as Google continues to obstruct them, in response to Bill C-18.
To access your news and stay connected to the source, Courrier Laval invites you to download its application. You can also subscribe to the weekly newsletter. You will be able to continue reading your news for free, in real time with a lower ratio of advertisements. Don’t forget to turn on notifications and spread the word to your loved ones and contacts!
Apple: https://apple.co/3wsgmKE
Android: https://bit.ly/3uGPo1D
Newsletter: https://courrierlaval.com/infolettre/
Print text
