Every year on October 1, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons — a moment to recognize the leadership, resilience, and contributions of older people everywhere.
At HelpAge USA, we know that older people are not just recipients of care; they are caregivers, leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, and healers. With support, dignity, and the right opportunities, older people transform their communities and inspire future generations.
This year, we celebrate stories from across the HelpAge global network of older people leading change in Colombia, Cambodia, Ukraine, Kenya, and here at home in Washington, DC.
Angela, 75 — Listening Without Judgment (Washington, DC)
Angela Jasper, 75, is a retired DC schoolteacher and a Grandparent with HelpAge USA’s Friendship Bench DC program. Through the program, she provides one-on-one support to people of all ages in her community, listening without judgment and offering empathy, compassion, and understanding.
One of Angela’s visitors, Robin, 63, was experiencing homelessness and isolation. With Angela’s consistent support over regular visits at the Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center, Robin found relief in being heard, began to feel hope again, and realized that healing is possible at any age. “I was so lucky because I got Miss Angela,” Robin said. “After 63 years, being able to express yourself… I never felt like I could talk and not be judged. I tell her all the time, ‘I really appreciate your ears.’”
Through Friendship Bench DC, HelpAge USA trains older people like Angela to support their communities, showing how older people are critical when it comes to creating lasting change.
Reina, 84 — Bringing Water to the Community (La Guajira, Colombia)
In the arid landscapes of La Guajira, Colombia, the Wayuu indigenous community has long depended on ancestral knowledge to survive harsh conditions. But recent flooding and water contamination have made access to clean water a daily struggle.
Meet Reina Epiayu, 84, a grandmother and community leader. When water systems failed, and families had to walk long distances for safe water, HelpAge and its local partners didn’t just bring aid—they listened. And what they heard was clear: older people know best.
Reina, along with other older women, was invited to lead a community water committee. Drawing on decades of experience observing seasonal patterns and local water sources, they guided repair work, safeguarded water quality, and taught younger generations how to maintain the systems.
Because of Reina’s leadership, 200 people now manage water systems that serve around 1,000 neighbors. Children are healthier, families are safer, and the community can rely on water just steps from their homes. Reina reflects: “Turning on the faucet and having clean water just a few meters from my house is a luxury I have never had before.”
Sim Lon, 64 — Building a Future with Khmer Noodles (Cambodia)
In rural Cambodia, Sim Lon, 64, faced a daily struggle to provide for her family. Her husband is unable to work, and she cares for two grandchildren whose parents are away working across the Thai border. Each day, she worried: “How will I send them to school? How will I buy medicine and food?”
With support from HelpAge and its local network partners, Sim Lon received a small grant and business training. She began making and selling Khmer noodles, learning not just recipes but also how to manage money and customers. Slowly, her earnings grew—enough to send her grandchildren to school, buy medicine for her husband, and save a little for the future.
“Before, I was afraid about not having enough money,” Sim Lon reflects. “Now, I know I can take care of my family and myself. I feel confident, respected, and part of my community.”
Anhelia, 67 — Offering a Lifeline Amid War (Dnipro, Ukraine)
In Dnipro, eastern Ukraine, Anhelia, 67, has dedicated her life to supporting others. A social worker and volunteer, she comforts and assists older people displaced by the war — many of whom are isolated, grieving, and far from family.
“I have people I look after. I want to help them, comfort them… hold them and talk to them,” she says. For her clients, Anhelia’s visits are a lifeline. “Now… well now, I just sit here. You’re recharging me with positive energy,” one tells her through tears.
Anhelia understands their pain. Her son was killed in the conflict, and she left her hometown because she could no longer bear to stay. “To me, home is where I’m needed, where I can be useful, where I can support others. For me, that’s the meaning of life. I can’t do it any other way.”
Joseph, 72 — Advocating for Change Through an OPA (Nairobi, Kenya)
In Nairobi, life had grown quiet for Joseph, 72. After his wife passed away and his children and grandchildren rarely visited, days felt long and lonely. But when he joined the County Trackers Organisation, an Older People’s Association (OPA) supported by HelpAge, everything changed.
“It’s about so much more than meals and entertainment,” Joseph says. “We share our experiences, support each other, and build a sense of community that makes life meaningful.”
For more than 30 years, HelpAge’s Older People’s Association (OPA) model has empowered older people to organize, share their knowledge, and advocate for their rights. Through the OPA, Joseph participates in choir sessions, social activities, and group discussions where older members guide younger participants, mentor one another, and influence community decisions.
He also advocates for older people’s rights and shares his wisdom with younger members, some of whom are in their 40s. “Knowing I can come here and talk with others keeps me going,” he reflects.
Today, Joseph has found friendship, purpose, and a platform to contribute. “Our age should not stop us from achieving what we are capable of and pursuing our dreams.”
#OlderNotOver
Across the globe, older people are proving that age is not a barrier to contribution. From leading water committees and mentoring younger generations, to supporting neighbors through crisis and building livelihoods, their impact is undeniable.
On this International Day of Older Persons, join us in celebrating the power of older people and help make sure their leadership is recognized, their rights are protected, and their voices are heard.
Read more about our #OlderNotOver campaign
Donate today to support older people driving change worldwide