Paul Muthee
Campaigners around the world have been connecting across borders to champion the rights of older people through our Age Demands Action campaign.
A unique dialogue has seen some of our campaigners in Kenya connect with older people in European countries such as the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Ireland. They've been learning about each other's lives and sharing their thoughts on why protecting the rights of older people is so important to them.
Paul, 74, from Kenya is one of the campaigners introducing people to her world. You can also watch other campaigners Josephine and Rhoda talk to people in the EU.
You can sign the EU Lead the Way petition, which is calling for the EU, as the world's largest aid donor, to include older people in their development policies and programmes.
You can also add your voice to the conversation by leaving a message for Paul on this page.
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Background: I am Paul Muthee. I was born 74 years ago in a small village in an industrial area called Thika.
I grew up as an ordinary boy, tending to my parents' farm and running other errands as directed by my disciplinarian mother. We were a big family consisting of twelve members, that is, ten children and both our parents.
Fighting for freedom: We did not have a formal education as it is today. We only learnt basic informal activities like hunting, caring for the homestead and even fighting our enemies.
That was also the time when our country was fighting for its independence and the Mau Mau Movement was formed.
This movement consisted of both men and women who gave their lives for their country. I happened to be one of the fighters. It was a hard task fighting with the British army who had sophisticated weapons while we used only bows and arrows. This was a risky thing since most of the time we lived in the bush like animals.
One time I was unfortunate to get captured and detained. This was the year 1954. However, my capturing came with some good luck. The British enrolled me to school (the same year 1954) which I was supposed to attend while in detention.
Education: I did a curriculum of education called Common Interest, which was like an introduction. Then later, I joined Kenya Primary Education up to 1958. After sitting an examination I was awarded a certificate of merit and that meant I had qualified to join a High School.
I was lucky to be admitted alongside some of my school mates to Othaya Boys High School, which was and still is a prestigious school in the country. Actually, my former classmates included some retired Catholic Bishops of Kenya.
However, joining high school was not as smooth as I expected. The British had other things in store for us. We were supposed to prepare and dig tunnels to a place where there is rice growing. It is known as the Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme. Rice is grown through irrigation and so, the tunnels for the water were to be dug by us using our hands. We were not provided with any machine. No one was supposed to question the decision of the British because that could earn you a severe beating or even death through a bullet.
After the tunnel digging, we joined high school and life was not that bad although the exams were a little bit tough compared to today.
I was in high school up to the year 1960, and due to my good behaviour and transformation, I was set free by a rule called the Governor Detention Order. Some of my colleagues were released too.
The fighting for independence had reached its peak and the Colonialists were in the verge of giving up and letting the Kenyans be free. We got our independence in the year 1963 and our country became a free state.
Career: Most of the companies were owned by the Colonialists and so, I happened to get a job in one of them.
I did not like the treatment accorded to me and therefore quit and started my own business in the capital city of Kenya called Nairobi.
I was in business until I got sickly and could not manage. I tried to salvage my business by employing my relatives but this made the situation even worse since they mismanaged the funds and the business collapsed. I was left hopeless and vulnerable.
Family life: I married my wife in the year 1966. I was aged 30 years and she was only 20. We were blessed with six beautiful children; two sons and four daughters. Our children are all grown up and have their own families.
Current living situation: Due to my earlier situation, I am still living in the capital at a slum called Dandora. The environment of this area is not good and conducive. Unfortunately, Dandora is the main dumping site for the whole city and this comes with many ills like diseases and crime. My wife is in the country side, tending to our small farm where she grows food stuffs. I live in a very tiny room with no basic amenities like clean water and electricity.
Income status: I rely heavily on handouts provided by well wishers. Luckily, the HelpAge programme came to my rescue and they saved me from starving by providing me with food and medical care.
To a lesser degree, I rummage through the nearby dumping site for anything that can be of help and value to me. The dumping site comes with a share of its misfortunes.
At a time, I got tuberculosis but thanks to HelpAge, I was able to get treated. Many thanks to this programme.
Talent and skills: I began singing since I was a small boy. When I grew up, the Colonialists honed my skill by training on how to sing and even play some musical equipment. I learnt fast and soon started entertaining people through my singing. Although I cannot do it right now, I still hum some of the songs I could remember since a talent does not die fast.
Paul's photogallery
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Comments submitted for this page
Paul Muthee (27th November 2012)
Thank you very much for all of your comments. I have always felt good to take part in Age Demands Action Campaign. This experience has given me a voice that people can listen to and take action! Action to the needs and cry of senior citizens. It has even enabled my colleague Rodah to travel to a foreign country just to speak about issues of older people..this is very good.
Marco Valdovinos (10th October 2012)
I think you are a real heroe and that you are helpin a lot of people with your inspiring story.
Norman (6th June 2012)
I am running out of time on my internet cafe computer so I want to quickly say to Paul, age is just but a number. keep up the good work you are doing for the recognition of older people's rights.
