Plans to enhance positive ageing and help older people in Zambia sustain their livelihood are underway thanks to Anderson Simfukwe, CommonAge scholarship delegate and Director of Aged Care and Service Centre, Zambia.
Anderson highlights older people play a vital role in Zambian society. “Millions of families would not survive without the contribution of older people; from caring for orphaned grandchildren to providing much needed household income,” he explains.
Zambia ranks in the bottom ten of countries to grow old in, and although the Zambian government has rolled out Social Cash transfers to older persons in more than 60 districts, Anderson says older people are often excluded from development programs and discriminated against in services such as health care.
The Aged Care and Service Centre’s ‘Entrepreneurship Skills Training for Older Persons for Livelihood Sustainability Project’ aims to equip older people with the skills and knowledge necessary to run businesses.
“Empowered with these skills, it is hoped that the quality of life for older persons and the orphans under their care would improve; they will be able to send these children to school, buy farm implements and indeed their health will also improve through better healthcare and nutrition,” Anderson explains.
Anderson is hopeful the program will run with support from the Friends of Aged Care and Service Centre and stakeholders from the corporate world. The organisation is also looking to government line ministries for funds.
“It is further hoped that after training, the graduates will receive capital injection as start-ups for their income generating activities ranging from K500.00 to K1000.00 Zambian Currency (approximately USD50 to USD100),” Anderson says. “The core values of the project is premised on the importance and benefits of doing business while taking into account the power of saving money in banks.”
Anderson with Carole Baine General Manager, Country Services, Silver Chain
For Anderson, the ACSA/IAHSA Conference was incredible and memorable. “I will remain indebted to the warm and fantastic Australian hospitality we received in the Greater City of Perth,” he said.
He highlighted the many networking opportunities the conference had given him, and is hoping developments will be made as a result of his new connections. In particular, Anderson was very grateful to Silver Chain WA. “It was an awesome experience at Silver Chain,” said Anderson. “Staff were really welcoming and indeed made my stay in Perth a hilarious experience. I hope our relationship will continue to blossom so as to enhance mutual cooperation in the ageing industry.”
Anderson also encourages researchers to conduct ageing studies in context of developing world for future conferences. “Many of the presentations at the conference were developed world-based, very little was presented on ageing in developing world,” he highlighted. “I personally remain resolute and alive to the fact that diverse models and trends presented at the conference will be replicated in varied contexts in our countries.”
Anderson with CommonAge delegate Alfred Yawson from Ghana and Silver Chain staff