Helping older people live full and secure lives | Age helps

Helping older people lead full and secure lives

Salaha, 105, Bangladesh

Salaha, 105, and her daughter Fulzan, 60, have lived through three cyclones, but say cyclone Sidr, which struck in November 2007, is the worst they have experienced.

"I was in my bed and I heard the storm outside. Suddenly, the roof was blown off my house. My grandson ran over, picked me up, wrapped me in clothes and put me on the veranda behind the house. It was a scary night. Trees were falling down all around us. We lost all of our chickens."

Salaha's family rely completely on her grandson Makfur, 22, who earns only 125 taka (less than US$2) a day. After the cyclone, Makfur was unemployed for ten days and the family depended totally on relief and neighbours.

"Before, I got no help"

The Resource Integration Centre (RIC), HelpAge's partner in Bangladesh, helped Salaha and her family directly after the cyclone, but is also there to help improve their lives in the long term.

The RIC provided Salaha with enough rice and molasses to feed her family for a week.

Empowering older people

The centre also sets up community groups to empower older people and campaign for their rights.

Salaha who is a member of a RIC group explained: "I am very old and I am happy to be part of the older people's association. Before, I got no help. Soon I will receive a widow's allowance of 220 taka per month (US$3)."

The RIC helps Salaha pay for the medicine she needs, which can cost up to 1,000 taka (US$14) a month.

Salaha's hopes for the future are simple: "We believe that through the RIC, God will help us. I pray that you will help me and my grandson will get work."