This week, we spent time in the field visiting beneficiaries of the Older Persons Livelihoods Project supported by KCDF. What we encountered was not simply programme implementation—it was a living demonstration of what becomes possible when dignity, structure, and opportunity are aligned. Across the different households and enterprises we visited, one thing was clear: older…
At the beginning of many livelihood programmes, participation often looks like engagement—but not yet ownership. People show up, receive support, and follow guidance, but the deeper shift is still unfolding quietly beneath the surface.
In the Ethel Foundation chicken livelihood programme, this was also the starting point. Over time, however, something began to change—not just in productivity, but in mindset. Participants moved from cautious involvement to active responsibility, and eventually toward a sense of ownership over what they were building.
What emerged was not only improved outcomes, but a deeper transformation: restored confidence, renewed dignity, and the return of agency in everyday life.
This is where livelihood work becomes more than support—it becomes systems-based change in how people see themselves and their future.
Dignified ageing in Kenya is increasingly being shaped by integrated approaches that combine advocacy, livelihoods, and legal empowerment. Recent work in Kisumu County demonstrates how engaging older persons as active participants in governance, while simultaneously strengthening their economic resilience and access to justice, can create more sustainable and impactful outcomes. As this model expands to new regions, it offers critical lessons for social work education and practice on the importance of building systems — not isolated interventions — to support ageing populations.
At the Ethel Foundation for the Aged (EFA), our commitment to dignity, inclusion, and improved quality of life for older persons continues to guide our work across Kenya. Between July and December 2025, we made significant strides in implementing the Sustainable Livelihoods for Older People and Advocacy in Kenya (SLOPAK) project in Kisii and Kisumu…
Dignified ageing is not built on goodwill alone — it requires intentional systems, consistent care, and sustainable models. As populations grow older, the responsibility shifts from charity to design: creating structures that ensure every stage of life is lived with dignity, connection, and purpose.
Good Friday reminds us that compassion is not just a feeling—it is a responsibility. At Ethel Foundation, we are turning reflection into action by restoring dignity and care to older persons who need it most.
Policy alone is not impact. As our latest research reveals, bridging the gap between intention and lived reality is the defining challenge in advancing dignified ageing in Nairobi County.
In July 2026, Ethel Foundation will return to Kinungi in Naivasha to mark the Day of the Elderly and Grandparents—this time with a bold vision to reach further and impact deeper. Building on the success of 2025, the initiative is evolving from a one-day celebration into a scalable, community-driven platform for dignity, health, and inclusion. By expanding access to over 1,000 older persons, strengthening intergenerational connections, and addressing barriers such as mobility and healthcare access, the 2026 event seeks to demonstrate what truly dignified ageing can look like in Nakuru County
SLOPAK in Action: Kisumu’s Elder Livelihood Groups
In Kisumu’s vibrant communities, SLOPAK project brings older persons together weekly for practical livelihood training.
These gatherings equip elders with, handicrafts, and financial skills suited to the regions’ markets.
This scalable model echoes Tanzania’s VICOBA success—70% financial independence in two years—advancing Kenya’s Older Persons Policy toward dignified ageing systems.