John, 73, Uganda
John, 73, from Uganda cares for more than 20 orphans, although he is not sure of the exact figure.
Kate Holt/HelpAge International
He said: ‘‘I have had a total of 23 children by two different wives, my first wife who died and my current wife. Seven of my children have died from AIDS. The first one died ten years ago and the last one died a year or two ago.
"We all live together in two houses. Five of my own children are also still living at home and I have to look after them too. The youngest of these is only nine and the oldest is 17. All are at school and need their fees to be paid.
"In my family I have a huge problem working out who needs fees paying, and who needs to be taken to be tested for HIV, so now I have a book to monitor all of this.
Pension supports the whole family
"I was a civil servant so I get a small pension, 110,000 Ugandan shillings (US$64) a month. This is our only income and before the orphans came it was enough for my wife and me to live on.
"With this pension I have to buy school books, clothes and food as well as looking after the house. When the children are sick we have to buy medicine. My wife and I also have to buy our own medicine, these should be free but they are never available in the health centre because they are special to older people and their illnesses. I am always worrying about money.
"We also have three orphans who live with us who are HIV-positive between the ages of two and 11. The eleven-year-old is on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) but the smaller ones aren't. For the medicine to work they need to eat a nutritious meal. I try and provide potatoes, cassava and millet every day for all of the children. I am always worrying about how I am going to find enough money. It's a big responsibility with nobody to help me."
Government has done nothing to help older people
John is the chairperson of an Older People's Association, set up by HelpAge's partners Uganda Reach the Aged Association (URAA), which provides training in home care, as well as giving out financial help so that people that start small businesses.
"Older people are so much more important now because we have to look after the orphans," says John.
"The government has done nothing to increase my pension to help ease the burden or to improve the healthcare system for older people so we don't have to pay for our medicine. I'd like to see an end to the discrimination and negative attitude to older people."
