Like most African parents, Andrea Rodgers, now aged 77, expected his children to be a source of emotional and financial support during his old age. For starters, children and close family are the key nodes of the social support network for the elderly in the African setting. For Andrea, however, he has given up on these expectations after a bad experience with his son who wanted him dead for his own selfish reasons. Thanks to the mediation role played by the Older Persons’ Association in his village, Andrea is still alive.
Andrea and his son live a few kilometers apart in Area 24 within the confines of Lilongwe City. The son lives in a rented house while Andrea lives in his own house erected on his piece of land. Within the same compound is another house occupied by Andrea’s sister, Mary, who ably plays the role of a caregiver.
One evening, the son stormed Andrea’s compound. He appeared fully charged indicating that he had harbored issues for quite some time. “Why can’t you die already so that I inherit this piece of land’”, said the fuming son. Things got tense to the point that Andrea was punched several times in the heat of exchange of words. Mary, the caregiver, was not spared either. She was told to leave the compound or be dealt with. Later, Mary managed to sneak out and report the issue to the Chairperson of Older Persons’ Association (OPA) in their village.
The OPAs are groupings of elderly men and women with the goal to improve the well-being of older people through collective activities. These structures were established by Malawi Network of Older Persons’ Organizations (MANEPO) in partnership with Paradiso TB Trust under a project funded by the Commonwealth Foundation.
The OPA Chairperson quickly mobilized fellow OPA leaders and rushed to Andrea’s house where they found the squabbles in progress. It took about six hours before they could calm the situation. The son was schooled on the rights of every person including the elderly such as Andrea. He was also warned of the consequences that would follow if he attempted any further abuse of his father. On the other hand, the Caregiver was begged to stay and was assured of the support of the OPA where necessary.
“I cannot imagine how things would have turned out if OPA members had not intervened”, said Andrea. Five months after the incident, the son paid a visit to the father, and they had quite a good chat. In reaction, Andrea said he was glad the son had come in peace but was quick to point out that he no longer has any expectations from the son. “I did my part and raised him. As a grown-up man, he can conduct his business as he pleases while I take one day at a time until God’s set time for me to go home”, concluded Andrea who appeared unmoved by the son’s visit.