Rhoda Ngima

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.

Rhoda, 74 from Kenya is one of the campaigners introducing people to her world. You can also watch other campaigners Paul and Josephine 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 Rhoda on this page.

To view the videos, you need the latest version of Adobe Flash Player.

I was born in 1934 in Tetu Division in Nyeri. I went to school up to Class Four and left it at that point, but I know how to read and write especially Kiswahili.

Career: In those days there was not much to do especially for a young lady, you either got married or stayed at home to help your parents.

Family life: After staying at home for long, I envied other girls of my age as they got married. So I decided to get married but all did not go well for me. So my husband and I separated in 1963 due to some family problems.

I gave birth to one child, a son who unfortunately passed away in April 2009. My son had only child. There were times when I really longed for a daughter. I prayed to God and finally one day I adopted a baby girl who is now grown up and married with two daughters and four sons.

Current living situation: I live alone in a two-roomed house made of iron sheets in a place called Kabiria which is along Kawangware 46 route.

I usually wake up every day at 5.45 a.m. I then go to church for morning prayers which ends at 7 a.m. From the church I go to the market to collect a few items for my kiosk.

Before I proceed to my Kiosk I have to buy water and keep it at home otherwise if I get it later, it may not be there completely due to its scarcity.

I later open the kiosk and sell cakes, mandazi and sweets till 9 p.m. I go to my house and prepare supper and later retire to bed because there is nothing else to do without electricity.

Talent and skills: I believe I am a very good preacher because when I stand up to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ it always has a positive impact on people and this makes me feel good.

I am also involved in community work which earned me a Presidential Award for Community Services in 1980s....I have a certificate for this.

During the Age Demands Action campaign in 2009 I was chosen to represent the older persons to the Government and I took their grievances to the Prime Minister. I believe the Government is going to do a lot for older people in this country...this is just the beginning.

As a beneficiary of the Sponsor a Grandparent Program I am always called upon to join the group that does the home visits to go and pray and encourage the other older persons who are feeling rejected and alone.

Rhoda's photogallery

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Comments submitted for this page

• HelpAge (14th January 2013)

  Dear Francis, thanks very much for your comments. I'm afraid that we currently do not work in Malawi. It might be a good idea to email our regional office in Kenya. They might some ideas of how you can help older people. Thanks.

• apAPOSTLE FRANCIS ANANDA CHIPUKUNYA (12th January 2013)

  i would like to work with you to protect and promote the rights of older people in malawi

• Rhoda Nigma (27th November 2012)

  I am very pleased to see your comments. My experience with Age Demands Action has been powerful! I did not know that my voice and face had been heard and seen by so many people out there. Being an activist for older persons has given me more hope and encourage to continue with the campaign not only for my sake...but for the entire elderly population worldwide.

• Roxana Dominguez 2 (19th October 2012)

  I really admire the way Rhoda represents her people and I agree that if a groups join together in one single voice, they'll be heard quicklier.

• Roxana Dominguez 2 (18th October 2012)

  I really admire Rhoda´s determination to represent her people, I think she is very strong and I agree with her when she says the only way to be heard is just by joining all together in one single voice.

• Erik Salazar (17th October 2012)

  I think this is really amazing, elder people from all the world joining to the cause and see in the videos how they think about that questions and why they joined is amazing too.

• Carlos Yarto (17th October 2012)

  I believe this is a very good example of a person with faith on the elder people! Congratulations! Greetings from Mexico!

• Marco (17th October 2012)

  How did you overcome all these problemas and what do you want to do to change this?

• APOSTLE FRANCIS ANANDA (2nd October 2012)

  i would like you to help me to promote and protect righs of older people in malawi

• Mohamed akidah wanyanga (11th February 2012)

  your dedication at your age has really encouraged me.i took it as acampaign tool and displaid it to others.the result is 20 and 12 elderly people joined me with 4youth.for this campaign thru our CBO {Kabalo Elderly Resource Center}Thanks and take courage.

• Nsubuga John (4th November 2011)

  i thank God for you maama rhoda. you have been so active at that age!How do you find youth around your area? are they loving& supportive?

• william masore (5th July 2011)

  i want to be an activist about experience of older people

• ALKA (18th June 2011)

  Rhoda,
  You are really doing excellent job even at this age. You should be the role model. I think if you interact with the younger people more, in coming days at leave they will behave like human. Youngster should be taught with love respect and be obediant to older people.