EFA and Gesabakwa Elderly Care Initiative Explore Collaboration to Advance Dignified Ageing
Building community partnerships for older persons’ livelihoods, protection, and well-being
Ethel Foundation for the Aged (EFA) and Gesabakwa Elderly Care Initiative are exploring opportunities for collaboration to strengthen the dignity, economic inclusion, protection, and well-being of older persons.
During a partnership discussion held on 16 October 2026, the organizations exchanged perspectives on community-based approaches to ageing, drawing on Gesabakwa’s experience in older persons’ empowerment and EFA’s commitment to transforming social values and systems to better respond to the care and support needs of less privileged older persons.
Based in Kisii County, Gesabakwa Elderly Care Initiative highlights financial independence, community support networks, social protection, and dignified ageing as central to its work. Its published programme areas include peer support networks, financial literacy, elderly entrepreneurship, health and social protection, and mental health awareness.
The engagement created an opportunity to explore how complementary experience and community connections could inform practical responses to the needs of older persons.
Exploring livelihoods and economic inclusion
The discussions explored existing community livelihood activities, including beadwork, traditional crafts, fibre-based products, and fish farming.
Potential areas of collaboration include skills development, accessible livelihood opportunities, product visibility, and market linkages. These approaches could help older persons participate meaningfully in economic activities while recognizing differences in ability, interests, and circumstances.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of financial literacy, realistic income expectations, and market-oriented planning in supporting sustainable economic participation.
Advancing rights, safety, and social protection
Older persons can face significant challenges involving exploitation, land and property disputes, digital and financial vulnerabilities, and barriers to accessing essential services.
The organizations explored potential areas of engagement around rights awareness, community sensitization, protection referrals, digital and financial literacy, and connections to appropriate legal assistance.
Such efforts would aim to strengthen community awareness and help older persons access relevant support through qualified service providers and appropriate institutional channels.
Strengthening community-based care
The meeting also explored the potential for caregiver training and stronger community support systems for older persons requiring assistance with daily living.
A possible caregiving and social-inclusion training programme in December 2026 was discussed. Its scope, timing, target participants, curriculum, budget, and implementation arrangements remain subject to further discussion and agreement.
A shared commitment to dignity and inclusion
The engagement reflects the importance of community-based organizations in identifying local priorities, mobilizing community knowledge, and contributing to more inclusive responses to ageing.
EFA and Gesabakwa Elderly Care Initiative will continue discussions to clarify areas of complementary engagement and determine practical next steps.
For EFA, meaningful collaboration must translate shared priorities into responsible, adequately planned, and sustainable interventions that uphold the dignity and rights of older persons.
Dignified ageing is a shared responsibility. Together, we can help build communities where older persons are respected, protected, and included.
Learn more about EFA: https://www.ethelfoundation.or.ke
Learn more about Gesabakwa Elderly Care Initiative: https://gesabakwaeci.org/
