Flomo from Liberia used to be the town chief; today he depends on others for help. The gift of a CAM food parcel and ten dollars reminds Flomo that someone cares about him. Flomo says, “I was hungry and you took me from hunger. God bless you!”
Romanians who are now in their sunset years endured the hardships of communism in their younger years. From 1948–1989 when the country was under communist control, many people lost their houses, lands, and savings. Some lost their lives.
Balu from Liberia has faced unique challenges. His mother, who was an East Indian Hindu, abandoned him during the Liberian war. A Hindu community raised him but later rejected him when he chose to follow Christ. Then eighteen years ago, Balu became blind. Despite all these trials, Balu remains a pleasant, grateful person. He expressed… Read more
In his younger years, Iacov from Moldova worked in a small factory during communism. Now at 91 years old, he is forced to depend on others for helping him. Iacov lives alone since his wife passed away around seven years ago. He receives a small government pension of about $2.50 per day, but with prices… Read more
Growing old isn’t all that easy anywhere. But it is especially hard in a desperately poor country like Liberia. The elderly in Liberia have experienced unspeakable hardships throughout their lives. Years of civil war left many without spouses or family members. And even after the war, they struggled to provide for themselves while the economy… Read more
In her younger years Maria broke both legs, which never healed properly. She now lives with constant pain and uses crutches to walk. However, she can’t afford pain medicine, since the small government pension she receives isn’t even enough to cover the cost of food and other bills. Last year Maria started receiving monthly food… Read more
Frederick, an elderly man in Liberia, spends every day in bed, completely dependent on the mercy of others to survive. His wife abandoned him, and no other family members help care for him. Some people cook his food and provide a little care, but the help is minimal. Frederick has a wheelchair, but no one… Read more
CAM workers delivered a food parcel to this elderly man’s home in Kenya. Because he is blind, he was unable to come to the central drop-off point where recipients typically pick up their parcels. Like many elderly people in Kenya, this man survives on very little and lives alone. A friendly visit and a box… Read more
The average life expectancy in Liberia is 60 years. If you live longer than that, you might be called a survivor. Disease, lack of nutrition, and insufficient funds for medical care are just a few reasons for early deaths in Liberia. Those who do make it past 60 often have no one to help them… Read more
—From a report by Mrs. Jamila Kurtz, CAM staff member in Kenya Maina* (pronounced “My-ee-na”) was born into the Kalenjin tribe in Kenya. As a young boy, his earlobes were stretched and he often drank the blood of a cow, which were common practices in his tribe. In the prime of his life, Maina was… Read more
Romolica grew up in an orphanage and now, in her elderly years, poor Romolica has no family to help her. Her home is an old, 20 ft. semi trailer that gets very warm in the summer and cold in the winter. “She is among the very poor,” says Elena Marza, CAM staff member in Romania…. Read more
Retired elderly people are some of the most disadvantaged people in Romania,” says Elena Marza, CAM staff member in Romania. “Many need proper nutrition, medication, and care. They are waiting for a Good Samaritan to have mercy on them.” The only income most elderly Romanians have are government pensions that hardly cover the cost of… Read more
Thousands of elderly people around the world suffer from neglect and the hunger and sickness it brings. In economically poor countries like Romania, even able-bodied workers struggle to provide for their families and often have few resources left to help their elderly parents. The aging often rely completely on the charity of others. Lucretia Toma… Read more
Elderly people in Romania receive a monthly government pension of $100. This is not enough, however, to cover food, utilities, and medicine. If they need to buy medicine or go to the doctor, somebody else has to help pay for it. Winter is the most difficult time of all with the added expense of heating… Read more