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In many places, like Kenya, when a destitute older person without kin or anyone to care for them dies, especially in a rural area, they are often just left. Whatever belongings they had are taken and the body is often found later, sometimes consumed by dogs or other animals. Part of our Sponsor a Grandparent…

In rural Ahero, where we operate the Sponsor A Grandparent program, banks can be inaccessible for older people of low income. High bank fees, interest, and red tape make traditional banks impractical. JOOT Social Services, under the leadership of Sr Paul and Charles, help facilitate an elder-led community cooperative banking program they call “Table Banking”.…

Today I had the great privilege to participate in the build of a new home for a Gran in Ahero, Kenya, Lewinta Yogo, an 83-year-old woman who lost all ten of her children. Our Raise the Roof program allowed us to build several houses, including this one, which had become unsafe. Sister Paul and the…

I arrived at the airport in Kisumu, Western Kenya, greeted by Sister Paul, Sister Damaris, and Charles who drove me to their convent in the town of Ahero, which means “I love” in the Luo language. The Franciscan sisters, along with many volunteers (including Charles who volunteers full time), operate the Sponsor a Grandparent program…

Today I had the opportunity to visit two of the communities where HelpAge International operates its Sponsor A Grandparent Program. This program allows sponsors to support destitute older people through a variety of programs and support while learning about the community and the older people they sponsor. We first visited the Eneredada Elder People Association…

The Nguenyyiel Refugee camp shelters 97,949 refugees, the largest of the seven camps in Gambella. The focus of the HelpAge intervention funded by Global Affairs Canada, includes Protection and Inclusion, Health and Nutrition, and Rehabilitation. At the camp, we observed the physiotherapy clinic, the complaint and community accountability programming, inclusive age-friendly paths as well as the elected Older People’s Association who…

The Jewi and Tierkidi Refugee Camps shelter 61,164 and 68,001 refugees from South Sudan. Both camps focused on providing protection and inclusion, and health and nutrition to older people and people with special needs. We were always welcomed with song and it was clear that a cohesive community gathered here. The older people were thankful for all that HelpAge had done, citing…

Gambella is a region in southeastern Ethiopia that bridges the Baro River and borders South Sudan. It is one of the most marginalized areas of Ethiopia and home to approximately 380,000 refugees from South Sudan sheltered across seven camps. With funding from Global Affairs Canada Humanitarian Assistance, HelpAge is assisting over 52,000 older persons, people…

This morning the HelpAge Senior Director of Operations, Kinfe, and I flew to Gambella, in the South Western part of the country bordering South Sudan. We drove directly to the Jewi Refugee Camp hosting roughly 60,000 refugees from South Sudan. HelpAge is the only source of support and care for older people and also a…

Today, I embark on a monitoring trip to Africa, visiting Ethiopia and Kenya for 5 weeks. In Ethiopia I will be visiting our HelpAge International and Global Affairs Canada project serving over 52,000 older persons and people with disabilities in seven refugee camps in Gambella. In Kenya, I will be visiting our Sponsor A Grandparent…