Sponsor a Grandparent (SAG) Project

Project Overview

Pastoralist Integrated Support Programme (PISP) with support through HelpAge International and Funding from Age International is implementing Sponsor a Grandparent (SAG) project. The project is working to improve the wellbeing, resilience, and inclusion of older persons’ living in Shurr and Nairibi locations of Marsabit County, Kenya. The project responds to the growing challenges faced by older persons in arid and semi-arid lands where recurrent droughts, unpredictable rainfall, water scarcity, food insecurity, and declining livelihood opportunities continue to affect vulnerable older persons’ households.

Older persons are particularly affected by these challenges due to reduced mobility, limited access to essential services, and fewer opportunities to sustain their livelihoods. Through SAG, PISP seeks to strengthen the capacity of older persons and their communities to respond to climate-related challenges, improve household wellbeing, and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect their lives.

Project Outputs

1. Strengthening Older Persons’ Leadership and Livelihoods

• Two Older Persons Associations (OPAs) comprising 60 older persons aged 60 years and above established and strengthened in Shurr and Nairibi locations.
• OPA members equipped with advanced leadership, governance, financial management, and organizational management skills.
• Revolving funds provided to the two OPAs to support livelihood activities and enhance members’ economic independence.
• Market-linkage opportunities promoted to strengthen income-generating activities and the sustainability of OPA livelihoods.

2. Building Climate Resilience and Protecting the Environment

• Participatory climate-risk assessments conducted with the two OPAs to identify climate-related risks and vulnerabilities affecting older persons and their households.
• Two community adaptation plans developed, incorporating local priorities, indigenous knowledge, and the experiences of older persons.
• OPA members trained in agroforestry, tree planting, sustainable land management, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
• Older persons supported to participate in community-led climate adaptation and environmental conservation initiatives.

3. Promoting Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Rights

• Non-food items (NFIs) provided to 60 vulnerable older persons to address essential household needs and improve their wellbeing.
• Six hygiene-promotion outreach sessions conducted to improve personal and household hygiene practices among older persons and their households.
• County government departments, local authorities, and community structures engaged through dialogue meetings and awareness activities to promote age-responsive services and the rights of older persons.
• Community awareness sessions and intergenerational dialogues conducted to promote older persons’ rights, healthy ageing, inclusion, and recognition of their contributions.
• Older persons’ participation in the International Day of Older Persons celebrations and national-level policy advocacy initiatives facilitated to strengthen their visibility and influence in decision-making processes.

Through Sponsor a Grandparent, PISP visualizes communities where older persons are not viewed merely as recipients of assistance, but are recognized as leaders, knowledge holders, and active contributors to climate resilience and community development.