Meet the activists
There are thousands of older activists all over the world who are campaigning to ensure they are not ignored.
We have profiled some of them here – Philomena, Rispa, Josephine, Paul Kamau Gakinya, Paul Muthee and Rhoda. They are all from Kenya and they are all inspiring. We hope once you have heard a bit about their lives you will join them and us in lobbying the European Union to include older people in aid budgets and policies.
And if their stories really move you, please leave them a message for us to pass on.
Philomena Mainge
Philomena Mainge is 70 and a retired schoolteacher. But with no pension, she earns an income by selling crafts to pay for her son's medical bills.
Rispa Mudege
Rispa Mudege is 72. She used to work as a domestic help and then in a hospital. She now looks after her four grandchildren, born to her disabled daughter.
Paul Kamau Gakinya
Paul is 74 and with his wife cares for his grandchildren, orphaned when their mother died in a car accident. He earns money by small-scale farming.
Josephine Napkonde
Josephine is 78. She lives in a slum in Nairobi and cares for 5 children.
She considers herself a talented businesswoman.
Paul Muthee
Paul Muthee Njoroge is 74 years old. He fought for Kenya's independence, but now picks rubbish. He marched for a pension and has just been registered for one!
Rhoda Ngima
Rhoda Ngima is 74 years old. She's been an activist since 2008. She's a shopkeeper, preacher and is known locally as Mama Rhoda.
