There is a saying that says, "Every elder is a library".
In Zambia, that idea still rings true. Across many communities, older people remain at the heart of family life, carrying stories, traditions and memories that cannot be found in books. They have watched neighbourhoods grow, families expand and the country change before their eyes. Their wisdom is often sought, their advice respected and their presence valued.
To many Zambians, caring for ageing parents is seen as a privilege, reflecting a deeply rooted belief that those who once cared for us deserve care too. And said care goes beyond solely providing food, shelter or medical care.
Growing older can also bring loneliness, starting from the emptying nest to busy schedules, leaving less time for companionship.
Around the International Day of Older Persons, Zambia has joined global calls to recognise older people as active contributors to society, highlighting the importance of dignity, inclusion and opportunities to participate in community life.
Healthy Ageing Through Community and Connection
One organisation putting this idea into practice is Akulu-Akulu Wellness Centre, which began sharing its work in late 2025. Guided by the belief that movement is medicine, the centre encourages older adults to stay active, not only physically but mentally and socially as well. Its philosophy is simple. Healthy ageing is about far more than treating illness. It is about creating opportunities for older people to keep moving, keep learning and, perhaps most importantly, keep connecting with others.
Members can gather for activities such as bingo, Jenga and golf, combining recreation with opportunities to exercise memory, coordination and conversation. The centre is also famous for creating a space where younger people and all those people can interact and have fun days in or out. The emphasis on activity reflects a growing body of research showing that such activities can support healthy ageing. Of course, no single activity can prevent cognitive decline, but maintaining a healthy mind and body has been associated with better cognitive function, improved mood and a higher quality of life in all adults.
How Akulu-Akulu Wellness Centre Supports Older Adults
Akulu-Akulu is one expression of a wider movement emerging across Zambia, one that recognises ageing as a stage of life that deserves not only care, but creativity, connection and community.
If Akulu-Akulu Wellness Centre focuses on keeping the body and mind active, Arushapot Art Community Centre is helping to preserve something just as valuable: Zambia's creative memory. Through its Elder Artists Social Club, known as the KAKA Project, the centre brings together veteran artists from different disciplines, giving them a place to continue creating, exchange ideas and pass on decades of knowledge to younger generations.
The Elder Artists Social Club recognises that older artists remain active custodians of culture, carrying techniques, histories and lived experiences that cannot be found in textbooks or archives. By bringing together senior creatives from different artistic disciplines, the initiative creates opportunities for mentorship, collaboration and conversation across generations. Younger artists gain access to a wealth of knowledge, while older practitioners retain something equally valuable: a sense of purpose and belonging in the creative life of the nation.
Although they take different approaches, Akulu-Akulu Wellness Centre and the Elder Artists Social Club are united by one ethos: that growing older should not mean growing invisible. One nurtures healthy ageing through movement and companionship. The other preserves Zambia's artistic memory by ensuring that those who have spent a lifetime creating continue to inspire, teach and belong. Together, they reflect a meaningful shift in how we think about ageing, from simply caring for older people to creating spaces where they can continue to flourish.
