INTERNATIONAL DAY OF LIVING TOGETHER IN PEACE 2026
























Stakeholders Validate a Compassionate Redemptorist Model for Older Persons Nairobi, Kenya – June 23, 2026 What begins as an encounter with a vulnerable older person can sometimes grow into a movement that transforms communities. This was the central message emerging from a validation workshop that brought together practitioners, government representatives, researchers, faith leaders, development partners,…
Ethel Foundation has expanded its poultry unit and installed solar power as part of a strategic effort to strengthen income-generating systems for older persons. These investments increase production capacity, reduce operational costs, and move us closer to a financially sustainable model of dignified ageing.
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.
Service charters are meant to guide citizens on what services are offered and what standards to expect. For many older persons, however, these charters remain inaccessible — written in unfamiliar language, displayed in unreadable formats, and disconnected from the realities of ageing. When information cannot be understood, seen, or accessed, dignity is compromised. Making service charters work for older persons is not about compliance; it is about designing systems that respect, include, and prioritize senior citizens.
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.
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…