Dum Ream, 72, Cambodia: Caring for children
Dum Ream, 72, from Cambodia sells rice noodles to support three grandchildren who were left behind after her son died and her daughter-in law remarried.
Dum Ream sells rice noodles to support three grandchildren.
(c) Mayur Paul/HelpAge International
Dum Ream is one of an increasing number of older people around the world who are caring for children whose parents have died or moved away. For example, a study of Bolivian migrants who moved to Spain found that 69 per cent left their children at home,
usually with grandparents.
In 2007, UNICEF estimated that 40-60% of orphaned and vulnerable children in East and Southern Africa were cared for by their grandparents, usually their grandmothers.
"I will continue fighting for them till the day I die"
Like others in her situation, Dum Ream is committed to giving her grandchildren the best chance in life she can. She used a low-interest loan from her local older people's association to set up her business. "I sell the noodles in front of my house as I no longer have the energy to carry them over long distances. If I had the strength I would go door-to-door to sell more noodles," she says.
"I do this because I want my grandchildren to have an education. I want all of them to complete their studies. I have seen that educated people earn a decent living. I would prefer to deprive myself so that my grandchildren can succeed. I will continue fighting for them till the day I die."
Helping older people become financially secure
HelpAge has been working in Cambodia since 1992 to help older people such as Dum Ream become more financially secure and improve their access to healthcare. We support older people's associations which foster social bonds and help older people to look after each other.
In the past year, we have trained 1,680 older people's association leaders. We have also provided older people with business loans, agricultural training and inputs, and training for health volunteers and home carers.
Changing attitudes towards ageing
The Cambodian Government has also recognised the need to provide more support to older people, who are included as a target group in its National Social Protection Strategy for the Poor and Vulnerable (2011-2015).
Developing a new rights-based culture of ageing and a change of mindset and societal attitudes towards ageing and older persons, from welfare recipients to active, contributing members of society, is a core recommendation of Ageing in the Twenty-First Century. The report calls for support to older people who care for others.