HONOLULU (KHON2) — Volunteering for a good cause takes time out of your day, but the outcome can be very rewarding. That’s why one nonprofit organization is asking for volunteers to help our kupuna.
Project Dana harnesses the ‘aloha spirit’ and utilizes volunteers to help kupuna. They deal mostly with social and support services.
“Which include things such as transportation, friendly phone calls, friendly visits, as well as we do things such as grocery shopping with them, laundry, light, housekeeping, light, yard work, things of that nature,” said project Dana community outreach coordinator Madisyn Sim.
As part of her internship, Justice Merriman is one of just over a hundred volunteers for Project Dana, and she said she’s having more fun than expected.
“Something I learned about me that was really new was maybe how much I relate to kupuna in a lot of new ways,” said Merriman. “And I learned a lot about tradition from our kupuna in a lot of new ways, and they have a lot of wisdom to pass down. And I always learn so much after visits.”
Anyone with time and heart is encouraged to join Project Dana, as the need to care for our kupuna continues to grow.
“Especially coming out of the pandemic, there’s a lot of kupuna living at home, especially on their own. And so, having somebody there is just so important, and having that social interaction. And of course, as we get older, just in general, things get a little harder to do,” said Sim.
“As much as you’re giving a bit of your time to help out our kupuna, you gain so much. It is a kind of reciprocal relationship in that way. And it’s really easy. It’s really flexible. So, if you have any hesitancy, just give it a try,” said Merriman. “Caring for kupuna is how we can care for folks, maybe in ways that we’ve forgotten how to do in our communities.”
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