Welcome to Sholder

When you see an elderly person struggling to get round on their own, do you wonder about the state of the elderly in Kenya today? Has it come to your attention that there are many more elderly people around you even in the urban settings? Have you wondered what they do with their days? Have you ever thought about the elderly around you?

When we talk about the elderly, we refer to all adults above the age of fifty years who are no longer actively employed. Their lives have slowed down after years of productivity and they are disconnected from their previous networks. They have worked long and hard, focused on building and raising families, businesses, and communities in the hope of providing a stable livelihood. The change of pace has changed their lives and elderly people across the world are lonely including the ones right here in Kenya.

African culture presupposes that children are a blessing and as they grow older they will be well educated and working at well-paying jobs therefore able to take care of their parents as they age. This hasn’t always the case as times have changed and livelihoods are harder to build. In the past it was assured that after a few years of study a good job was available and therefore a livelihood. As life has changed and become harder, the state of the elderly has declined primarily because they spent years investing in their children and the investment is taking longer to bear fruit than anticipated.

Imagine with me, a parent who was spent all his or her resources, whether limited or bountiful, on their child’s or children’s lives and education. They moved to the city with the hope of changed livelihoods once they achieved success. They spent everything they had to pay for education in the hope their children will be stable on completion of the same. The child finishes school and leaves home hoping to find a well-paying job. They find a meagre one and work their best to gain financial freedom. They also begin to build their family and the demands on the small income increase meaning there is less and less to send home. Some find the great jobs, achieve growth and earn a lot and are able to move on and support their parents but others don’t. The rising cost of living and other life challenges takes a toll and ensures it is a long road to the desired success and none achieve the same measure for success.

The elderly are left at home alone with limited resources and company because their children are far away working their fingers to the bone. They have age induced limits to their mobility which means that unless people come to visit them at home, there are often very few places they can go to. They are alone for longer and longer periods and the relationship with their children gets strained because of the distance breeding deep sadness, disappointment and loneliness. Unless the situation is dealt with, it begins the decline in health and wellness.

The Sholder Trust was established to help bridge this gap. It was formed to provide all round support to the elderly in order to enrich their lives. We believe that they have a lot to offer society because of their long lives that are full of interesting experiences that have brought forth wisdom and insight and are useful to society.

Sholder Trust provides pastoral care, social integration, advocacy with relevant authorities as well as the promotion of family values and structures to provide opportunities to leave a lasting heritage. This is driven by a deep desire to build communities where older people are valued, respected, heard and supported through dedicated ministry and services.

Sholder Trust seeks to be a significant part of the solution to the growing social challenges in the community.