Passion for pensions in Latin America
Thousands of older people have received life-changing advice and support at our socio-legal centres. Advisors at our four centres in Bolivia and one in Peru, work day in, day out, to help older people access benefits, fight abuse, and learn about their rights.
We are delighted to report that 52% of the people coming to the centres are from remote rural regions, while 63% are of indigenous origin. It means we are reaching out to the most vulnerable older people in these countries - helping them claim their rights, and in the process, come out of the shadows to be active in community life. Read the full story here.
Our fight for rights
Success story
In July, Peruvian President Alan Garcia officially announced the launch of a monthly pension for people over 75 living in extreme poverty.
He said the new pension will "enable older people who are forgotten to have greater economic independence."
HelpAge International in Peru and its partners played an important role in achieving this development. But there is more to do, said HelpAge programme director Giovanna Abad.
Read the full story here.
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Meet the people
After working in a shoe factory for most of his life, Don Agustin, 77, was sacked without any explanation. He did not have enough money to support his family, so he tried to claim his pension.
But his employer had not paid any contributions to the government on his behalf. For years he tried in vain to get his pension.
Then he got in touch with one of our socio-legal centres.
