Retirees Giving Back to Their Communities
- Andrew Nye
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Author: Delia Barcelona
Many Member Associations of the Federation of the Association for Former International Civil Servants (FAFICS) engage in outreach initiatives usually aimed at helping marginalized and disadvantaged groups and often mobilizing not just their members but other volunteers from the community. Sometimes, these activities are also intended to assist Association members directly. Below are a few examples from FAFICS members around the world.
AFUNSOB-Bangladesh
Officers have undertaken activities to help members on issues related to pension and health insurance, including widow benefits and medical and humanitarian needs. An IT specialist also conducts DCE (Digital Certificate of Entitlement) training to help members shift to the digital certification app.
CAFICS-Canada
Annually, the Association holds a toy drive to bring joy to hundreds of disadvantaged kids in select communities in Montreal, especially during Christmas time, in collaboration with Church and community volunteers.
UNPAI-India
The UN Pensioners’ Association, India (UNPAI), New Delhi, has been a steadfast support system, assisting members with a wide range of concerns, from pension processing delays and health insurance claims to caregiving challenges and overall wellness, offering emotional support and guiding retirees toward professional counselling when needed. Through these efforts, the Association has reaffirmed its role as more than just an administrative facilitator—it is a compassionate community that ensures UN retirees in India continue to lead dignified, secure, and fulfilling lives..
AFICS Kenya
The Association has supported Mji Wa Huruma Home for the Aged, which hosts 42 elderly men and women with no family or means. While major operational expenses are covered by the County Council of Nairobi, the home relies on well-wishers for other needs. This is where the Association has helped through special meals, gifts, and assisting with the purchase of medications for diabetes and hypertension. In one of its anniversary events, AFICS Kenya provided cash and clothes donations, especially to elderly women in this home.
AFICS Myanmar
As part of its community outreach, AFICS Myanmar reaches out to needy families and communities. Here, AFICS Myanmar visited a monastic school and handed out gifts to the orphans.
AFICS Netherlands
Members have supported FAFICS and the UNJSPF in tracking down beneficiaries on the Pension Fund's pre-suspension list for non-submission of Certificates of Entitlement—often requiring considerable persistence and investigative skills. Some of these beneficiaries are aged over 80 and may need assistance in submitting the required certificates.
AFICS Philippines
Due to the most recent oil crisis resulting from the US-Israel-Iran war, many public transport drivers in the Philippines have been affected by gasoline price increases. As part of its outreach activities, AFICS Philippines officers and volunteers organized two community pantries in two strategic locations where jeepney drivers congregate between their trips. Cash and food donations (such as rice, canned goods, dried fish, and vegetables) enabled the Association to provide much-needed assistance, although temporary, to these drivers. AFICS Phils has also given assistance to Women Deprived of Liberty (women detainees)* to reach and communicate with their families and legal counsels through the provision of electronic tablets.
*Often from impoverished and marginalized backgrounds who are victims of gaps in the country’s justice system.
AFICS Sri Lanka
In December 2025, AFICS Sri Lanka contributed to the Cyclone Relief Fund efforts in that country to help in renovating and upgrading the educational facilities in one of the schools of a community badly affected by the Ditwah Cyclone. The project was successfully completed on 6 May 2026 and has benefitted the school population of over 360 students from Grades 1 to 12, particularly through the IT Learning Facility at Ganeshan Vidyalayam, in partnership with Foundation of Goodness (FOG). FOG is one of the most respected humanitarian organizations in Sri Lanka, providing valuable support to vulnerable communities since the tsunami in 2004.
It's great to see how fellow AFICS members around the world are having such a positive impact on their communities. Thanks for sharing this Delia.