Shanti, 80, Bangladesh

Shanti is a widow and has little family to support her. So she sells puffed rice at the market thanks to rice from HelpAge. Although this gives her a small income that helps her, life remains extremely tough for her, especially as she has a bad back. Photo: Antonio Olmos/HelpAge International

"I have lived here all my life. I was married at the age of 10 and lived with my husband until he died over 30 years ago.

"After he died I had to find work, so I worked as an earth digger and I sent my daughters out to collect firewood. One day about seven years ago when I was out with them, I fell and hurt my back and couldn't work any more.

"The only way I could get money was by begging"

"At first my son stepped in and supported me, but then he got married and asked me to move out of the house and into this small shack next door.

"The only way I could get money was by begging in the town, but I can't even do this anymore. My back is so bad I can't move around much. My son died but my daughter-in-law still makes me live here.

"HelpAge's partner, the Resource Integration Centre (RIC), helped by giving me 50kg of rice. I ate some of it and used the rest to make puffed rice to sell at the market.

"After this they started to give me loans of rice which I repay when I've made a profit at the market.

"My life is better now because I earn about 15-20 taka (US$0.25) per day selling puffed rice from my home, which is more comfortable for me. But once I have paid back the loan I have very little left over. My main worry is feeding myself every day."

See how our partner RIC advocates for older people's rights in Bangladesh