WALK TO BRING SERVICE AND HOPE TO THE OLDER PEOPLE

By Pst. Noah Nsubuga

1. Introduction

SHOLDER Trust was founded in 2016 with the vision of, “Communities in which the older people are integrated, valued, heard, and supported spiritually, socially and economically.” This came against a backdrop of increasing numbers of older people in society, and health and social circumstances that sideline them and often separate them from their sons and daughters and leave them with diminished self-worth in neglect and loneliness, while the children miss out on the wisdom of the older people.

Although this is a relatively young missionary enterprise, its role and impact is beginning to be felt in Kenya. In 2018 SHOLDER was invited as one of the stakeholders with the Kenya Government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, in the work to bring service and hope to the rapidly growing number of over 2 million older persons in Kenya. Indeed the SHOLDER walk is incorporated as part of the national celebrations of the International Day of the Older Persons. This annual event is meant to:

Draw public attention to the plight of the elderly in society;Seek partnerships and raise at least KShs. 5 million to support the operations of the Trust;Celebrate the International Day of the Older People which falls on 1st October.

2. Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries of these endeavors are the lower to upper middle class elderly in urban areas starting with Nairobi and the surrounding areas. SHOLDER has a growing database of about 300 older people who are scattered in five counties. The youth are also mentored while interacting with the elderly.

3. The Walk 2019 Focus

SHOLDER Walk 2019 will take place on Saturday, 28th September 2019 at the Uhuru Gardens from 7.00 am. Registration is Ksh1000/- for T-Shirt but we will also appreciate any other support in cash and kind.

Over the last two years the focus of the walks has enabled us to create publicity and awareness and in this regard SHOLDER has made inroads on the local scene. This year we want to build on this while raising funds and partnerships to expand our work in the following areas:

a. Hekima : Recreate the value of the wisdom and knowledge of the elderly in society

b. Tumaini: Create hope based on a community that will mitigate against loneliness among the elderly

c. Thamani: Emphasise the importance of the older people and their value to society.

To register, click here or contact us on info@sholder.org, +254 721 556 277 or here