
Older people’s stories
Older people are speaking out and we are listening. Our collection of life stories captures the strength and resilience behind a lifetime of experience.
Browse our story collections

“All I want is a home”: Daw Kyi Kyi Win’s life after the earthquake in Myanmar
After surviving the March 2025 earthquake, 86-year-old Daw Kyi Kyi Win now faces a different kind of struggle - reclaiming her dignity, health and a safe place to call home.

“If it happens again, I will die”: a story from the heart of Myanmar’s earthquake
87-year-old Daw Khin Myaing’s story of survival and strength after the Myanmar earthquake

“I’ve never experienced a loss like this”: One man’s struggle to rebuild after the Myanmar earthquake
For older people like U Tin Win, the earthquake didn’t just destroy property - it unravelled the fragile threads of dignity, stability, and family unity.

“Everything collapsed around us”: A grandfather’s story of survival and strength after the Myanmar earthquake
61-year-old U San Win’s harrowing experience captures the heartbreak and resilience of those living through the Myanmar earthquake disaster.

Voices of older people in Myanmar after the earthquake
Older people in Myanmar share their experiences after the earthquake - stories of loss, resilience and urgent need for shelter, food and support.

The lives behind the numbers: stories of older Ukrainians adapting to displacement
Three years into the full-scale war, discover the stories of older Ukrainians who are not just surviving but adapting and thriving in the face of crisis.

I never left: Mohammad’s story of survival during the war in Lebanon
At 72, Mohammad chose to stay in his home during the war in Lebanon, facing rockets and isolation. His story highlights the challenges older people face in crises.

A longing for home: One woman’s memories amidst the hardships of war in Lebanon
Haniya, 84, recalls the day war shattered her life. Injured family members, displacement to a shelter, and separation from loved ones left her longing for her village.

A family without shelter: Abu Mohammed’s story of survival in Gaza
Abu Mohammed and his family fled their home in Gaza, only to lose everything in a strike on their temporary shelter. Abu Mohammed remains focused on his family’s survival.

From home to heartache: Sabah’s story of survival and hope amid displacement in Lebanon
Sabah, 57, recounts fleeing airstrikes in South Lebanon and facing hardship in Beirut. Her story highlights the urgent need for aid for displaced older people.

Enduring war and longing for home: Samira and Moussa’s story of hope in Lebanon
Moussa, 75, and his wife Samira, 72, share their struggle after fleeing war in South Lebanon, holding onto hope amid harsh conditions.

Climate elders: Climate change through the eyes of older people
Older people’s experiences with climate change in pictures