The Finnish Union for Senior Services, known in Finland as Valli, has awarded the Grandparent of the Year award for 2015 to two exemplary senior women. Celestine Vita-Buba, who was born in Congo, and Tiiu Holappa, who has an Estonian heritage, were both selected for their years of volunteer service with small children.
Each year the award is given to individuals who have contributed to inter-generational relationships and show an appreciation for the task of serving as an older mentor and source of support.
“Celestine Vita-Buba and Tiiu Holappa provide an example of how older people can be an asset to the community, and not a cause of care obligations and expense,” said Valli’s Executive Director Virpi Dufva.
The two women who received recognition have worked for years as child care volunteers for the multicultural women’s association MONIKA. One of their biggest contributions is minding children for immigration mothers so they can attend Finnish language courses and other important training and preparatory events.
“I enjoy my work because I get such pleasure from being with children,” said Vita-Buba. She is a trained psychologist and previously worked in her home country as an English teacher.
Holappa, in turn, is a qualified primary school teacher.
“It feels really great to know that our work is appreciated. I get real energy, joy and warmth from my time with children,” she said.