Philomena Maingi
Philomena is 70 and a retired teacher from Kenya. She has been talking to older people in Europe about her life and why campaigning for older people's rights is important.
Older activists in the Czech Republic, Slovenia and the Netherlands have watched her videos and recorded their own video messages with questions for her. You can join in the conversation too by commenting below and we'll make sure Philomena gets your messages.
Read more about Philomena below
Name: Philomena Maingi
Date of birth: 1941
Lives: Kangundo, Kenya
Occupation: Retired teacher
Education: "I was fortunate enough to complete my primary education in Kenya Junior Secondary Education and passed in five subjects. Later I joined a Teacher Training College and completed as a P2 Teacher."
Career: "During my teaching career I taught in various schools. I was promoted to Deputy Headteacher which I held until retirement. With no lessons to teach anymore, I joined Misyani HelpAge Program where I could be useful. Here I was able to acquire leadership skills through seminars that were organized by HelpAge Kenya. I was made a leader in one of the committees. Concurrently, I am also a leader in my local church."
Family: "In 1963, I married Sebastian Maingi and was blessed with five sons and two daughters. My husband was also a teacher and he headed several schools too. To help us bring up the children we had to do some farming i.e. maize, bananas, beans so we could feed the children. Our salaries were not enough to cater for the big family."
Current situation: "We're both retired now and my husband is of poor health and I have to take care of him. I also have a son who is mentally disturbed due to heavy abuse of drugs. So I have to make frequent visits to the rehabilitation centre where he lives. Another son who is also under my care does not hear or speak. Another son who lives with me completed his education and later did a course in sign writing but has never got a job."
Income: "I still have to earn a little income so I can meet his medical bills. I buy and sell craftwork and wood carvings to schools within the neighborhood. If sales are good that day, I can earn Kshs 600. Sometimes I may also get some facilitation work at a seminar and get Kshs 5000 to 8000.
Talent and skills: "I have teaching and leadership skills. Thanks to HelpAge Kenya, I am also an activist for older people through the Age Demands Action campaign."
Philomena's photogallery
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Comments submitted for this page
Maria Binte Saeed (22nd January 2013)
May God bless you always and give you more strength.
