Preparations Underway for the Day of the Older Persons
The Ethel Foundation for the Aged (EFA), in collaboration with the Catholic Church, parish leadership, community volunteers, and partner organizations, has commenced preparations for the upcoming Day of the Older Persons, an annual celebration dedicated to honouring the lives, contributions, and dignity of older women and men in our communities.
The planning process has brought together representatives from the parish, the Family Life Programme, Young Catholic Adults (YCA), religious sisters, and EFA staff to coordinate a meaningful and well-organized event that places older persons at the centre of care and service.
Responding to Need with Compassion
This year’s event comes at a time when many older persons continue to face economic hardship, food insecurity, and the lingering effects of recent flooding. To respond to these challenges, the organizing committee has already identified and registered approximately 500 vulnerable older persons who will benefit from the programme.
Seven Catholic parishes have been mobilized to collect donations of non-perishable food items—including maize, beans, rice, cooking oil, sugar, and other household essentials—to support older persons and their families.
Food donations will be received in advance of the event to allow organizers to assess available supplies, identify remaining needs, and ensure that assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries in a fair, transparent, and dignified manner.
More Than a Celebration
The Day of the Older Persons is more than a commemorative event. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the value of older persons, strengthen community solidarity, and advocate for healthy, active, and dignified ageing.
The programme is expected to include:
- Holy Mass and prayers of thanksgiving
- Advocacy and awareness sessions on the rights and wellbeing of older persons
- Health and wellness education
- Grooming and personal care services
- Community fellowship and entertainment
- Distribution of food support to registered older persons
Through these activities, EFA and its partners seek to address both the immediate needs and the long-term wellbeing of older persons while fostering stronger intergenerational relationships.
Careful Planning for a Dignified Experience
Organizers are working to ensure that every participant enjoys a safe, orderly, and welcoming experience.
Planning discussions have focused on:
- Organized registration and beneficiary verification
- Volunteer coordination and identification
- Crowd management through designated entry and exit points
- Accessible service delivery for older persons
- Catering and hospitality arrangements
- Event branding and documentation through photography and video
These measures reflect EFA’s commitment to protecting the dignity of every older person while ensuring accountability and effective service delivery.
A Community Effort
The success of the Day of the Older Persons depends on the generosity and commitment of the wider community.
Individuals, families, faith communities, businesses, and development partners are invited to support the event by donating non-perishable food items or contributing resources that will help make the day memorable for older persons.
Every act of kindness—whether large or small—helps remind older persons that they remain valued members of society whose wisdom, resilience, and lifelong contributions deserve recognition.
Join Us in Honouring Older Persons
At the Ethel Foundation for the Aged, we believe that ageing should be accompanied by dignity, respect, inclusion, and hope.
As preparations continue, we invite all well-wishers to walk alongside us in making this year’s Day of the Older Persons a meaningful celebration of compassion, solidarity, and gratitude.
Together, we can build communities where every older person is seen, heard, valued, and empowered to age with dignity.
