Kenya
Kenya is the primary financial and communications hub of East Africa. It also serves as the regional headquarters for HelpAge International's work in Africa.
Despite its strategic importance, many Kenyans live in poverty and have inadequate access to education, health services and food. Kenya, like other African countries, has also struggled with the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
There are currently 1.1 million children orphaned by HIV and AIDS in the country, many of whom are cared for by their grandparents or older people in the community.
Working closely with partners, we:
- carry out HIV and AIDS education
- campaign on pensions and older people's rights
- raise awareness on cataract prevention
- educate the younger generation on the contribution older people make
- support an older citizens monitoring programme - in which older people record whether peers are getting social benefits
- co-ordinate self-help groups through which older people can get food, blankets, medical supplies, and cash payments, or even develop skills that could earn them an income.
The difference we made in 2009-10
- We helped older people in Thika, affected by HIV and AIDS, to set up their own businesses.
- Thanks to taking part in HelpAge International's Age Demands Action campaign in 2009, the Kenyan government has set aside Kshs. 550 million to support older people financially.
- We've boosted media coverage of older people's issues.
What next?
- We'll work to make sure older people are included in national policies. During this year's ADA campaign, we will ask the government that older people can access free health services.
- We'll go on sharing life-saving information on HIV and AIDS with older people through our peer educators programme.
- We'll help older people towards financial independence by providing training in business skills and business grants.