Pensioners must give children and young people security and warmth in schools.
PRO hopes to be able to contribute to that – and three members have already registered as “racists” in Nybro, Småland.
– At the moment, I can only see that there can be positive effects, says Yvonne Malmgren, secretary at PRO in Nybro.
When the working committee of PRO, the national organization of pensioners, was asked by the head of primary school in Nybro municipality to help in the school in some way, the idea was born. Now three members of PRO have registered as “racists” in Nybro municipality.
– We don’t want to call it a break shift, that sounds too harsh. We say rastis and we have agreed on that with the schools as well, says Yvonne Malmgren, secretary at PRO in Nybro municipality.
“Needs more security and warmth”
Now the organization hopes to collect ten rastis in the municipality shortly. The hope is that the concept will spread. So far, Stockholm municipality has contacted us and shown interest in the idea.
– We believe in this a lot, we need more security and warmth in society. And I think we have to find new ways of working together to be able to give that to our children and young people. And this could be one, says Yvonne Malmgren.
The operation will be voluntary and the pensioners themselves will be able to choose a school according to what suits them. According to Yvonne Malmgren, there are many unused resources in the organization.
– We have an age range between 65 and 100 years in the organization. And it is a big challenge to find activities that suit everyone, she says.
Hoping for a long-term solution
Above all, there is plenty of life and work experience – which will be of great use for a rastis.
– At the moment, I only see that it can have positive effects. Maybe not overnight, but in the long run. We hope that this can be a long-term solution, says Yvonne Malmgren.
PRO will invest in promoting the concept to its members in order to send members to more schools. Something that is appreciated by the schools.
– They are incredibly positive about this. I have been in contact with both primary school managers and principals. Everyone welcomes us, she says.