John Dada attends conference on ageing in Seoul
Last week John Dada, Director of Fantsuam Foundation wrote from Seoul, “The African Research for Ageing (AFRAN) and HelpAge International, to which Fantsuam is affiliated, has supported my attendance at the 20th IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Seoul, Korea."
Older people world wide to be treated with dignity and respect.
"It has been heart warming to see the range of professionals and organisations who are keen to ensure that older people all over the world are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
What Fantsuam takes home from this global gathering is that we are not alone in our modest efforts for our Kakas (grandmothers in Hausa) and there are organisations the world over who are willing to support our work."
Fantsuam Foundation has submitted its application for membership of The Africa Research On Ageing Network (AFRAN) http://www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/research/regions/africa/afran
And The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. http://www.inpea.net/
Making Links
"At the Africa Regional meeting held as part of this conference I introduced myself as ‘the African who has 126 mothers!’ This emphasised the unique service we provide our 126 Kakas. In attendance were representatives of the Nigerian Government from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development who expressed interest in engaging with Fantsuam when we return to Nigeria. Fantsuam Foundation will be following up these Government officials to facilitate the establishment of a Nigerian chapter of Geriatrics and Gerontology and have it registered with the IAGG. (International Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology). In Africa only South Africa and Tunisia have a functioning IAGG.
Through the Nigerian Society for Geriatric and Gerontology, some baseline research can be quickly conducted in partnership with research institutions to address the paucity of data on Ageing, Health and Retirement in Nigeria. I met a consultant demographer from Senegal who has a keen interest in this area and Fantsuam will be contacting him to explore how we can kick start some research in our own little way in Kafanchan.
One of the participants at this meeting asked me for more details of my 126 Kakas: she is a Nigerian researcher based in South Africa and expressed interest in working with Fantsuam to develop funding proposals.
Kakas voice is heard
Please tell all my Kakas that their voice has been heard in far away Seoul, and that there are people all over the world who have genuine concerns and are working hard to ensure that they live their lives in peace and dignity.”