The South Sudan Older People’s Organization says it has provided support and counseling services to more than 600 elderly people this year.

This statement comes on the International Day for the Elderly, which is commemorated every 1^st of October to celebrate the achievements of the older persons in the society.

The executive director for SSOPO, Donato Ochan Hakim, told Eye Radio during the Dawn program this morning that since 2007, 500 youth have also been trained as volunteers to help the elderly.

“The training is still going on despite the fact that there is war,” said Mr Ochan.

“It’s now running on sustainability basis, but we are seeing that the youth, the women and the older people are really willing to learn skills so that they can work for themselves.”

Mr. Donato says South Sudan will celebrate the International Day for the Elderly on the 15th of October. It’s not clear why.