Creating Change for the Elderly
What We Do
Food Banks & Free Meals
We feed the vulnerable elderly in Tanzania through OIG Africa food banks and also provide free meals, because we believe no one should go hungry - especially when they are older and at times unable to work to feed themselves.
OIG Africa is one of a handful of NGOs in Africa that runs food bank services to help disadvantaged elders.
Mobility Aids & Support
We support our elderly with daily living aids such as wheelchairs, walking sticks and free transport to hospital appointments.
We provide free physiotherapy to our elders which is provided by certified physiotherapists, and free medical check ups to our disadvantaged and isolated elders.
Basic ICT Training
We set up small ICT centres in local communities to provide free basic ICT training to ensure the elderly are not left behind in the digital age. Qualified ITC professionals show them how to effectively use mobile phones, and how to avoid scammers.
Africa is the world’s mobile banking leader, with the highest number of services, account holders and transactions, and because of the rise of mobile and digital banking in the continent ICT knowledge is increasingly important for the elderly.
Basic ICT knowledge enhances the elders’ social inclusion, mental well-being, and their ability to manage their health and daily lives. It allows them to stay connected with loved ones, access information and services, and participate more fully in society, combating potential social isolation.
Active Living for Physical & Mental Health
Through experienced fitness coaches, we provide moderate free fitness classes to our elders for at least 30 minutes to an hour a day, 5 days a week. The exercises range from regular walking, power walking, dancing, hill walking, yoga, and pilates to gentle muscle-strengthening.
We also ensure our elders get time to let their hair down! Social events are a good way of making the elders feel visible and appreciated.
We organise fun activities such as disco nights featuring the songs of their era, get-togethers, picnics, beach trips, safari tours, and more.
Sharing Generational Knowledge
We organise events where the elders share their true life stories with the youth, helping them to make good choices in their lives. These talks happen in schools, sports clubs, Community halls, prayer houses and elsewhere.
Our elders and the youth also share best practices on how best to protect and preserve the environment in their communities and apply the best practices on their own projects to showcase good practices practically. Best practices for EnviroAgri projects are crucial for promoting sustainable agriculture, animal keeping, and environmental protection such as mitigating climate change, conserving natural resources, and enhancing biodiversity.
Civil Rights Education
Our network of lawyers and legal experts organise sessions where they speak to our elders to educate them about their rights that they may not have been aware of, and how to exercise them.
We also provide advice on how to report abusive and unwanted behaviours towards them from their family members, neighbours, or anyone in the community.
Projects in Africa - Tanzania
Making Elders Part of Your Culture & Community
Getting older shouldn’t mean feeling left behind and alone. In Tanzania, we work with multiple generations to create open dialogue and opportunities that enrichen lives. Above all, we want to create communities where experience is valued and elders feel part of their culture.
Tanzania has undergone impressive social and economic developments and improvements in recent years. However, the country continues to face development challenges in essential sectors such as health, nutrition, and alike in some areas.
The country is currently implementing political reforms that, with time, are expected to improve quality of life among individuals regardless of their age. This improvement in quality of life, which consequently prolongs life expectancy, implies that the aging population will significantly increase in a few years to come. Research projects that the number of people aged 60 years and above will increase from the current 4-percent to 10-percent of the total population by 2050. The projected increase suggests that the older population will be at a disadvantage because the majority of older people in Tanzania reside in rural areas where financial support and access to social services including Primary Health Care (PHC) services is often limited.
OUR WORK IN IRELAND
As a registered CLG in Ireland our work is to leverage on the amazing work done by Charities supporting old people in Ireland in 3 ways:
- Directing the elders to these Charities to get the support they need.
- Connecting with and direct the migrant elders in Ireland with Charities for old people in the country and ensure they get the support they need. Migrant elders are the most vulnerable in the old people category because they are usually unaware of their rights and where to get support due to many reasons including language barrier.
- Supporting Charities for old people in Ireland with their fundraising initiatives.
OUR WORK IN AFRICA
Olden is Golden Africa is a registered NGO in Tanzania. New Chapters for the NGO in other African countries will be opened at later dates.
If you think you can help set up Olden is Golden Africa Chapter in your country we would like to hear from you.
Phone/WhatsAPP : +353 89 486 6783
Emails: info@oldenisgolden.org and oldenisgoldenafrica@gmail.com
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn., X and TikTok.
Members of Olden is Golden group in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Chapter in their recent visits for the needy in their communities.
In the picture is David whom they visited and provided him with basic needs. David is paralysed in both limbs and has problems with his hands too and in desperate need of a wheelchair and somewhere nice to live.
Our Approach
This calls for collaborative efforts from different state and non-state actors to address the challenges the elderly population is facing to ensure that they are well-cared for and can realise their full potential. Most of all, we want to help them to become visible, valued, and very much part of their communities. This requires a multi-sectoral and multi-pronged approach, working on a grassroots level as much as on a country-wide scale.
Our Impact
We’re There When You Need It
We believe in helping where it’s most needed, providing support especially for those elderly who are extra vulnerable. Whether it’s through crisis, conflict, or hardship, we are here to support the older generation. We set up food banks where they can do the most help, provide temporary accommodation in times of emergency, and other measures that meet the situation.
Learn New Skills in ICT & Fitness
From online essentials to fitness classes, we want to give you the abilities to feel part of your community and enrich your lives. With free basic ICT training including how to stay safe online, you can unlock new avenues and stay informed on your interests. You can also get a whole range of fitness classes on us, all of which have been designed with the older person in mind.
Making Health Accessible for the Elderly
As we age, it can be inevitable that some health concerns pop up. These can lead to isolation, loneliness, and feelings of being a burden. We help older people feel comfortable and safe in talking about their health, providing access to free healthcare that doesn’t judge and helps you stay active in your community. This includes free medical checkups and free physio.
Enjoy Your Golden Olden Years
We believe in putting ‘Olden is Golden’ into action! We want to show that your older years don’t have to be isolated or lonely. From fun clubs and trips (even safaris!) to disco nights and social events, it’s time to enjoy your golden years.
Make A Lasting Legacy
We endeavour to make the elderly part of the community. The first approach is to train and empower the youth into becoming the carers and companions of previous generations, bridging the divine and ending old-aged loneliness. The second approach is to inspire the next generation by creating a stream of knowledge sharing. Our knowledge clubs are also the perfect space for older people to share their stories and educate their communities’ younger people with life lessons. These can then be passed onto future generations for an enduring, positive legacy.
