It has been said that older adults or senior citizens exhibit high levels of pro-social values and behaviors, such as volunteering, helping and caring for others, and caring for nature and the environment, among others. Hence, it is important to recognize their contribution towards community building.

On 20 – 22 September 2021, a training targeted for the elderly which was entitled, “Age Gracefully: A Health and Wellness Training for Senior Citizens,” was conducted in Saint Peter Academy of Alegria, Inc. (SPAAFI), Alegria, Cebu. SPAAFI is one of the learning sites of ATI RTC in Central Visayas. A total of 20 elderlies from the municipalities of Alegria (with 9 completers) and Badian (with 11 completers) completed the three-day training.

This training aims to enhance the knowledge, attitude and skills of senior citizens on healthy lifestyle and wellness through home gardening. During the three-day training, participants learned how to recognize the rights, privileges and benefits of the senior citizens and promote their active participation in the society; determine common ailments and their home intervention remedies; identify medicinal plants for treatment of common illness; classify local medicinal herbs and vegetables; and how to prepare home remedies for common ailments.

“Having attended the training helped me plan for an herbal garden which I could use anytime to help myself, my family and neighborhood in case treatment is needed. This will help us financially too because we don’t need to buy or need to spend money just to buy medicines since we already have herbs in our surroundings. Thank you, ATI,” said Marissa K. Filosopo – one of the training participants.

Cristino L. Villamor from SPAAFI in Alegria, Cebu and Florenda P. Villamor from the local government of Algeria in Cebu shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons while Arnel S. Navarro served as members of the training management team.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Jorge F. Trinidad, Project Officer, through his email at jftrinidad64@yahoo.com.