Mr Thong, 69, Laos

Mr Thong is happier now his village has a proper latrine. (c) HelpAge International Mr Thong, 69, has lived in Pakxeng district all his life. He has seven children, two step daughters and 14 grandchildren.

Four of his children still live close by in the village. He is in good health, except for his worsening eyesight, but his wife,

Min, 45, suffers from migraines and also has chest problems.

Working three jobs to survive

They have been farmers all their life, but due to their advancing age they only plant enough rice to last six months now as they cannot manage to weed any more.

Mr Thong also works as a day labourer and manages to make some additional income from his skills as the village blacksmith and as a basket weaver.

Feeling optimistic

HelpAge has helped set up 20 older people's associations in the area, who've so far helped build 1,100 household latrines and 10 water systems, while loaning goats and pigs to more than 240 families.

At first Mr Thong was unsure of what to make of the idea of older people's associations, saying: "No one has ever paid attention to older people before. I hope the project will benefit the poor people in the village."

A year later, Mr Thong seems more convinced. He said: "I'm feeling a bit more optimistic about things".

"Having a nice clean latrine has certainly made life much easier, especially for my wife who's not so nimble on her feet as me.

"Usually this time of year a lot of people in the village, especially the older people and children, would be sick. But this year people are much healthier."

See how older people's associations help communities