Honoring Older Father Figures on Father's Day

This year, HelpAgeUSA celebrates Father's Day by honoring older father figures around the world, especially those who use so little to care for so many.

In many of the poorer communities around the world, grandfathers serve as a primary care giver when their children must leave in search of work or lose their lives to HIV or AIDS. Many of these older men continue their jobs in order to support their families.

The facts

• A third of over 60s support at least one child with money, food, or clothes.
•  In Ethiopia, 50% of orphans and vulnerable children are being raised by older carers.
•  In Kenya, the average older person cares for four vulnerable children.
• Over 70% of men over 60 still work
• Only one in five older people around the world get a pension
  

How HelpAge makes a difference

HelpAge works hard everyday to advocate for older people in developing countries. We help them claim their rights and overcome poverty so that they can lead dignified, secure, and healthy lives. But today especially, we honor the older men who not only carry their own set of burdens, but care for their grandchildren and orphaned children in hopes that they may have a better life. Learn more about HelpAge USA's various programs and policies that help older people all over the world.

HelpAge spotlights grandfathers around the world

Dalmas Dalmas Oguyo is about 86 years old from Kenya. Of his twelve children, only one survives today. He, his wife, his one remaining daughter, who is handicapped, and their 13 grandchildren live together on their land. Dalmas says his biggest concern “is the education of all of these orphans as well as their clothing and food… We get no assistance from the government – everything we have is from the sisters and from HelpAge International – even the clothes we wear. I get worried for everyone after I die but there is nothing I can do but pray.”

Premasri Premasri is a carpenter from Ambalantota, Sri Lanka. He is 60 years old and lives with his wife, daughter-in-law, and his three grandchildren. Premasri looks after his grandchildren so his son can work in Colombo. He has been a member of an older people's group called Senior Citizen Committee which was started by HelpAge after the tsunami. HelpAge assisted Premasri to buy tools for his carpentry business, and now he is able to earn a living to support and feed his family. "I do not expect much from the future but I hope that the hard work that I am doing now will ensure that my children and grandchildren are better off in the future."

Van Quang Van Quang is from Vietnam. He and his wife raised their ten children, and they now raise two grand-daughters after his son died of AIDS related illness and his daughter-in-law abandoned the children. With HelpAge's assistance, Van Quang and his wife received a micro-credit loan. With the loan, he was able to buy cows, pigs, and ducks, which have allowed Van Quang to support his family. Nga, one of their granddaughters told HelpAge, "My grandparents raised me, and I see them as my parents."

James James, from Uganda, is 72 and is living with HIV. Despite losing two wives to HIV/AIDS, James serves as a peer educator and teaches other families how to deal with all aspects of family life hit by HIV/AIDS. He supports his five grandchildren while his children are in cities looking for work. James sends all his grandchildren to school in hopes that they "can escape the poverty we now face." James hopes for a pension. "A pension would be very useful. It doesn't matter how small the pension is. Even with a pension I wouldn't stop work. I don't agree with people who say that older people should just rest. Even if you're old you have a brain and work gives you respect."

Barton Barton is 76 years old and is a brickmaker in the Kampala District of Uganda. He, along with his wife, work from 9am until they get too tired. They look after their two grandchildren. One is just a baby and the other is 5 years old and in school. They also look after their son who is very sick with AIDS. As Barton health begins to deteriorate, he continues to work in order to support his family and young grandchildren.