Bringing joy to seniors one story at a time
By Rachel Friederich, Serve Washington Communications
VANCOUVER--For eight-year-old Diya Kumar, reading isn't just a hobby-it's a way to connect with others and brighten their day. Since she was five years old, Diya has been volunteering her time each week to read books to residents at Truewood by Merrill, a senior living facility. For the past two and a half years, she has spent an hour every week sharing stories, sparking conversations, and building meaningful relationships with the seniors who eagerly anticipate her visits.
"She just wanted to read, and she would be reading to me," said Gunjan Gakhar, Diya's mother. "I thought, wouldn't it be great if she could read to other people besides just me? I tried calling different places. When I called Truewood, the person who got the call was very enthusiastic, and it was just meant to be."
Diya carefully selects books from her school or community library, often choosing stories that celebrate different cultures from around the world. Some of the books she has read include Powwow Day, a picture book about Native American traditions, Bring Back the Babka, a children's mystery celebrating Jewish food, No Kimchi for Me, about an anthropomorphic cat learning to eat the spicy Korean dish, and Diwali, a book about India's widely-celebrated Festival of Lights.
But for Diya, reading aloud is more than just storytelling-it's about engagement and connection. She takes time to show the pictures to the residents, asks thoughtful questions after each story, and encourages conversation. Over time, these small moments have blossomed into deep connections.
"Slowly, the connections just started to happen," Gakhar shared. "She took each book, and she slowly got better at showing the books to the residents."
Diya brings more than entertainment-she has fostered a warm, stimulating environment that enriches the lives of the senior residents.
"This extraordinary effort highlights her deep compassion and ability to connect with others," said Gakhar. "Her commitment is not about completing a task but about creating meaningful and joyful interactions. The relationships she has nurtured are profound, making her weekly visits a highlight for many residents and an inspiration to others."
