China’s “Shared Grandma” Program: Elderly Volunteers Aid Working Parents

In the Huijing Jiayuan community of Wenzhou, located in China’s eastern Zhejiang province, a unique and heartwarming initiative is winning the hearts of its residents. The “shared grandma” program, initiated last October, is built on a simple yet profound idea: elderly women volunteer to look after and provide companionship for children while their parents are occupied with work.

This community-driven venture has garnered a group of 26 enthusiastic volunteers, ranging in age from 47 to 78. The women participating in this scheme come from varied backgrounds. Many are retired professionals, having been teachers, party cadres, and doctors in their prime. Others have spent extensive periods as full-time mothers or grandmothers. Their collective wealth of experience makes them ideal caregivers and mentors for the community’s children.

At the community center, children are engaged in a plethora of activities under the watchful eyes of these volunteers. Beyond just caretaking, these “shared grandmas” provide guidance with homework, reading, and other academic pursuits. Moreover, some grandmas with specialized skills impart knowledge on calligraphy, art, and chess to the eager young minds. As Song Qinfen, one of the program’s volunteers, mentions, the center now witnesses a daily influx of seven to eight children, sometimes even accommodating as many as 20.

The sheer success of this initiative can be gauged by its increasing popularity within the community. Parents, hearing testimonials from their peers, are now more inclined to avail of this service, entrusting their children, ranging from kindergartners to Primary Six students, to these capable hands.

Zhou Aiqin, a 75-year-old volunteer, finds immense fulfillment in this undertaking. Living alone since her son and granddaughter moved away, she cherishes the bond she has fostered with the children at the center. “They see me as their grandma, and for me, they’re like my own grandchildren. This program has illuminated the importance and relevance of my existence in their lives,” Zhou remarked.

However, as with every community endeavor, there are challenges and concerns. Some residents question the safety protocols, inquiring about accountability in the event of an accident involving a child. Others opine that only well-educated individuals should be eligible for the “shared grandma” role.

Nevertheless, the story has elicited a torrent of online praise. The majority of netizens laud the initiative, commending its potential benefits for both the elderly and children. “It’s a win-win situation. The elderly find companionship, and the children receive care and guidance,” one commenter wrote on Weibo.

This is not the first instance of community-driven initiatives making waves in China. Previously, a residential community in Shanghai hosted a “childhood memory competition,” rekindling nostalgia among the participants. Similarly, during the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, communities rallied together, forming shopping groups to aid residents in procuring essentials.

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