Improve older people's lives in China

Older people in China cannot depend on state pensions to survive. Many have to rely on small plots of land to grow food and supplement their incomes. But when that additional security is taken away, things can get very hard.

Latie and Degogo had a farm in the mountains but the land was taken over by the authorities. Compensation was arranged but this only amounts to 3000 RMB (£265) per year. It costs at least 1000 RMB (£88) a month to pay for food and clothing so the couple, both in their seventies, are struggling..

Their son works on a farm nearby but with a wife and four children to support he cannot help Latie and Degogo. Latie is unable to work since he lost his sight some years ago. Degogo suffers from poor health but still works as much as she can.

Help the Aged provides seed money to the local Older People’s Association (OPA) for loans to older people. Latie and Degogo hope to borrow 3000 RMB (£265) for Latie to have an operation on one of his eyes. They hope he will then be able to work and help Degogo with their livestock..

The couple has received loans from the OPA in the past to buy livestock. Latie says, ‘In 2004 we borrowed 1000 RMB from the OPA and [got] a buffalo. We repaid the loan. In November last year, we borrowed 2000 RMB more to buy a goat and two more yellow buffalos. Now we have three buffalos that could be worth 6000 RMB in the market, and in three years we may be able to sell some calves.’

Degogo is determined to keep going as long as possible and work to improve life for herself and Latie and their family. ‘We are old now and soon we will die. But before that, we would like to take good care of our grandchildren, our household, and the buffalos.’

Please give generously to help older people like Latie and Degogo so that they can find ways to improve their lives. Your donation will make sure that older people can boost their incomes and help their families.