Forgotten Heroes

"Older persons make wide-ranging contributions to economic and social development. However, discrimination and social exclusion persist. We must overcome this bias in order to ensure a socially and economically active, secure and healthy aging population."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Today is the International Day of Older Persons. This day is observed on 1 October of every calendar year having been first proposed on 14 December 1990. In 1991, the General Assembly (by resolution 46/91) adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons. International Day of the Elderly is hence dedicated to honor, respect and care for the world's elderly.

The most basic things in life are food, clothing and housing. I am of the opinion that these are the fundamental needs as they are universal and should not be relegated to privileges whatsoever. Again a lot has been said left right and center of how to ensure that those living below the poverty line or just above it get minimum resources necessary for long-term physical well-being to ensure these needs are fulfilled or satisfied. Yet the reality is that as we make a fuss, someone is sleeping hungry and on the streets in rags.

Old age is a gift, the elderly should live their ‘retirement’ lives enjoying the modest handouts the government gives  them in form of social pension or engaging in constructive and productive ventures in their lives. I doubt my grandmother receives it. But it is a right that has been ratified by Parliament and hence none over the age of 65 should be denied. This is especially if those of requisite age are not under a pension scheme where they get their retirement benefits on a monthly basis. This income which provides social protection is essential for achieving poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Consequently, there is no contestation as to whether the executive arm of the government should provide  it to deserving citizens or not.

Our women and men are to blame. This especially applies to those in the child bearing age. It is sad that most of them are unemployed or don't have a regular income. This applies to those in the age bracket of between 18-28. Women in this age group are perhaps the most vulnerable lot. This is because they are more likely to have children. They are past teenage rampage and since they are citizens they are able to make decisions on their own and take responsibility for their actions. That is however not the case.

The sad thing however is that HIV/AIDS is real. Research shows that those between the ages of 25-40 are the individuals who are likely to be vulnerable to it. This is mainly because of having multiple partners, engaging in homosexuality especially men, using drugs by sharing syringe and other behaviors that risky. Worst still the kind of life they live is sometimes characterized by excessive consumption of alcohol and consumption of drugs such as brown sugar, pot and flour and reckless and careless driving.

The media has been able to highlight the plight of many children who are left orphans or just abandoned by their parents. It has been alleged by those in some quarters that some women prefer being infected with an STI rather than getting paged. However this remains a surmise till research is done do counter the argument. But the question that begs; which of the two is better?  

These children abandoned or orphaned need a family. They don’t deserve to be treated as if they are third-rate beings. Children are innocent and deserve the best to become whom they aspire to be.

But not all children end up in children’s homes and adopted by various families, some are not lucky and become hobos and street urchins. Many end up living with guardians and worst still poor grandmothers who struggle with the grandchildren, albeit need to enjoy their latter years. Sad that they have become parents again. What with parents some tied up in low income jobs and others mothers living with men who don’t want their step-tots and worse still those who kicked the bucket.

The grandmothers who take care of the grandchildren and perhaps have the mothers of their grandchildren still alive can be said to be lucky. They can count on some financial support however little from their progeny. At least this lost is able to commit some cash once in a while to their parents to cater for the upkeep of their children.

What of those who have been left with the burden of looking after their grandchildren solely as a result of the demise of both parents either due to the reasons above. Worse is when the elderly lady has no income and hence has to toil yet she is not as effective as she would have in her hey days. The little they have ends up in the start of another journey of parenting.

It is a great feat by these women having swallowed their pride to  start another journey again. Each time I see them in the rural areas as they struggle and make ends meet it behooves to essentially revere these important people in society. They are rewarded holistically though not materially but in a way that is not measurable in monetary terms. They carry a burden that society ends up failing to recognize at most times. 

Next time you find an elderly lady with a child on her back walking laboriously, chances are she is the parent who goes about not cherished.  They are the movers and shakers of this world. They go about their daily lives without any qualms but deep down they are the forgotten heroes. One time they will be rewarded just like society has a way of feting those engaged in a worthy cause. Alas you are heroes worthy of celebration even if none notices your efforts.