Looking after elderly relatives is becoming a burden and causing family tensions for some subsistence farmers in Nepal.
We have just supplied 56 elderly Dalit people in Baglung District with bedding, here is a report from the person who organised the distribution: 'We made the Dalit Elderlies Facilitation Day successful. We falicitated 56 persons. It was very impressive. It was the first in the district ( may be in the nation). The elderlies were very very happy. Almost all of them had no beds like that in their homes. They were presented with beddings, shawls, certificates and fruits. Some of them shed tears of happiness. We had the Parliament Member of this constituency area, president of the District Media Association, district level leaders of political parties, NGO personalities, leaders of the village and the elderlies. Many of them gave speeches.' 
Providing these items is not a matter of charity, it is a reward for a lifetime of work supporting their families. We would like to provide food, bedding and clothes to more elderly people which will in turn help reduce the burden on the poorest families so they can support their children. Village elders suggested that a meeting place for the elderly people would allow them to enjoy companionship and interaction with people of their own age group. We would like to provide food, bedding and clothes to more people. Instead of being regarded as a drain on resources, elderly people may be regarded as a knowledge resource for the local community. Mr Lal Bahadur suggested using knowledge which elders have of medicinal plants before it became lost. A project has been established tending medicinal plants in the forest and growing some on communal land in three villages. The plants are already being harvested and sold at market. Sometimes it just takes a suggestion! £4 for food for a year for an elderly person will ease the burden for their family |
