SDG: 10

Sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare

Nicklas Stenfeldt & Andreas Reventlow
ELDERLEARN
Nicklas Stenfeldt & Andreas Reventlow grew up in the same city close to Copenhagen and have known each other almost all their lives. Nicklas is a "startup-guy" and started his first company as a 12-year-old. Over the years, it has become eight companies – many within social innovation. Andreas is a sociologist and has always dreamed of doing a social startup. The inspiration for Elderlearn came from his master-thesis and volunteering at a nursing home in Germany.

Project

Elderlearn matches elderly citizens with foreign language students to practice 'everyday’ danish. This helps to create well-being, joy and purpose for the elderly and improve the possibilities of integration for the foreigner. It is free for both the elderly and the foreigners to participate, as Elderlearn receives financial support primarily from municipalities. Since the start in 2017 more than 700 people has been matched, representing over 71 nationalities. Elderlearn has 6 employees in Copenhagen.

Impact story

Jette is 79 years old and unable to leave her home unassisted due to sitting in a wheelchair. She has been part of Elderlearn for 4 months, where her immobility is no hindrance to putting her Harvard Education to use. "Now I am so glad I said yes to join. I have actually been from the moment you entered the door", said 79-year-old Jette to 31-year-old Zahra from Iran who visits her every Friday. Jette usually helps Zahra practice her Danish, but sometimes during the winter Zahra has packed Jette into many layers of clothes and taken her for a ride in the wheelchair. Zahra tells us: “I also learn a lot from Jette … She helps me to get to know the Danish society better".
Share the story: