Elder Self-Help Groups in India
On June 19th this year, I accompanied Bharati Chakra, the state Head of Help-Age, to visit Elder Self-Help groups (ESHGs) in rural Nimapada region, Puri District, roughly thirty miles from the capital city of Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This community comprises small-scale farmers and minor entrepreneurs. Here, amid warm and enthusiastic welcomes, smiles, gifts of parwal (pointed gourd), jackfruits, and caring hands, I realized how the elders take advantage of the opportunities available and contribute meaningfully to the community.
With their economic contribution, the elders are fearless of being old, rewriting old age dependence, and are socially connected across villages and their adult children who have moved away.
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Help Age India
Help Age India, a prominent non-profit organization in India with over four decades of experience in serving disadvantaged older adults, has taken a significant step in Odisha. They have initiated the Elder Self-Help Groups (ESHGs) project, a testament to their dedication to empowering rural elders. This project has seen the establishment of about 200 ESHGs at the village level across India, providing crucial support to seniors in their economic, social, and health needs. Notably, women, constituting 40% of the total 2800 members, have been actively involved in these self-help groups, finding a new lease on life to have an income, as those above 55 do not qualify to join Women’s SHGs sponsored by the state.
We visited three centers in adjacent villages, met with at least 100 members, and listened to their success stories. They shared that before joining the self-help groups, they were economically dependent on the family, had no financial support for health ailments, and lacked awareness about the resources available for the seniors. ESHG comprises various programmatic arms to make up one extensive program, some of which stood out.
Digital Training
I was very impressed with how efficiently the older members have gained independence with the digital training Help Age provided. With the help of digital volunteers, they keep track of their bank accounts and access government loans and old-age pensions. A few community members got smartphones and shared the information they had received from various agencies with the other members. For example, they would share a notice about old age pensions and when, where, and how to collect them.
One member said, “With digital support, I bought a smartphone, learned to cultivate and market guavas with the right technology, and exchanged messages and video calls with sons and daughters in the cities, bridging the physical distance.” Children have moved away, and older parents live alone in many homes. This newfound digital awareness has helped seniors stay connected, bridging the physical distance with their children who have moved away.
One member said, “Srikant sir (the project coordinator) has made us wise with the use of smartphones. Now, we have all the contacts of government departments”. Another member said, “Now we know different ways to generate income for ourselves, gain financial stability and independence, and stay updated with information.
Livelihood training and entrepreneurship
At 63, Josna Mayee Das was one of the most enthusiastic members of the ESHG. She and her group took a loan to do flower farming, which became a great success and earned their group a good profit. Then, she spearheaded a banana plantation, which put a smile on all the members of her group.
Economic insecurity remains one of the most pressing concerns for the seniors in India. The lack of appropriate pension schemes and adequate savings forces many to rely on their families, which leads to their abandonment. Approximately 90 percent of workers are in the informal sector, which offers no social protection for older persons.
Help Age has incentivized seniors, especially women, to engage in economic activities like flower and vegetable plantation and marketing. One member said they do not buy vegetables and make a sizable profit from seasonal farming in their backyard. These senior members remain physically active while working in the field, defying old-age dependence.
Many older women said the small loans helped them to cultivate vegetables in partnership with their sons and families. As a result, they have become valuable members of their families and are now given due importance during any decision-making process in the household.
The sad part is that although the government has various provisions for seniors, only some use them because they need more community education and resources. Through the ESHG, the members are economically productive and socially aware of their rights and privileges. They gain a sense of agency and empowerment and establish a strong community network, showcasing their resilience and determination.
At the village level, the older members face many health ailments, including malaria, colds, coughs, and fevers. Diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, heart issues, bloodlessness, and lack of nutrition are prevalent among seniors.
Health Care
Help Age India has provided a Mobile Health van in some remote regions. It has identified and trained community health volunteers in senior care training, health inclusion (connecting with government schemes), and social inclusion, which link digital centers to get older age pensions from the government. These health volunteers are also trained in essential health checkups, like checking blood sugar and administering medicine doses. Help Age provides technical training to community health volunteers to help senior members access medical care at the village and faraway city hospitals and family caregiver training.
I learned that seniors with income have a sense of purpose and community involvement. They are resilient and enthusiastic partners in making a difference in the community. They are the leaders, the role models for a meaningful life, and their contributions command respect and admiration.
As we said goodbyes, our hearts were full. I was moved to see the seniors’ infectious enthusiasm and energy, which filled the air with joy and optimism. They proudly shared the produce from their back gardens and fields to feed us, a testament to their giving spirit.
I have been involved with HelpAge India’s US affiliate, American Friends of HelpAge India (AFHI, started as a 501(c) 3 a few years back to raise awareness and support for HelpAge India and its programs within the Indian diaspora in the US. It was via one of the virtual program visits to India that AFHI hosted for supporters in the US that I connected with its Executive Director, Swati Nigam, who coordinated this visit in India for me, where I got the opportunity to see firsthand the impact these programs are making in the lives of elders by making them feel empowered and valued part of the community, and helping them lead a purposeful life!
