Grannies' assistance wins hearts and minds

In recent years, the "sharing economy" has become increasingly popular in China as a result of the growth of shareable items such as bicycles, cars and chargers.

The large number of such items has brought huge convenience to people in need who are receptive to new things－such as paying the rent simply by scanning a QR code.

However, you don't need any QR codes to use the services of the "shared grannies".

A creative sharing economy model, the shared grannies project－a completely free service－is blooming in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province, and Chongqing, both in Southwest China, and in other parts of the country.

In July 2019, the program began in Jifu community in Chengdu's Wuhou district, creating a new model of public welfare whereby youngsters are provided with essential care and seniors' spirits are lifted by the knowledge that they are contributing to their communities.

In China, younger students, especially those in the lower grades, are usually accompanied by family members when they travel to and from school. However, some working parents cannot spare the time to accompany their children to the school gates or pick them up when classes end.

Though it is common to see seniors taking care of their grandchildren at the school gates, some families do not have a suitable guardian to lend a helping hand. The problem is exacerbated by timing clashes, when the children leave school early but parents leave work late.

To solve these urgent problems, the shared grannies－elderly female volunteers who are happy to provide help in their communities－shoulder the responsibility of picking up the children from school and accompanying them while they do their homework and play until their parents collect them.

This year, Zhu Yongxin, deputy secretary-general of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy, proposed encouraging members of local communities to provide help.

Hu Wei, a member of the CPPCC National Committee and deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the CAPD, proposed that authorities should vigorously support public welfare efforts related to off-campus activities.

A briefing by the Ministry of Education on July 13 stipulated that from this autumn, after-school services will be fully covered during the period of compulsory education nationwide.

According to Peng Mei, secretary of the Party committee of Shipingcun community in Chongqing's Jiulongpo district, "becoming engaged" and "a positive approach to retirement" are believed to have practical, psychological and sociological significance for retirees.

Meanwhile, a report in Chengdu Economic Daily said that by "taking care of the young and lifting the spirits of the old", the shared granny program is seen as a form of self-help that helps to overcome an ethical dilemma in the modern era, when family sizes keep contracting.

As one netizen said on Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like service, "Don't underestimate these small innovations from the grassroots－they could be the levers and fulcrums that leverage the world."

Another commented: "It is a very meaningful and practical experiment! I hope to see more discussion about the experiences as well as difficulties. This might be applied nationwide and become a new model with Chinese characteristics."

So, in addition to the after-class services they offer, new types of assistance could help the shared grannies to keep in step with the times.