WITH SUPPORT from the Stephen Lewis Foundation, Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM) is implementing the ROTOM ’grandmothers support project’. The aim of the project is to provide psychosocial, medical, economic and spiritual support to poor grandmothers in the Bukinda sub county, in Kabale district, so that they are in better physical and emotional health to raise the grandchildren under their care.

Many grandmothers, who assume responsibility for orphans, are living in absolute poverty, and struggling daily- to provide for the numerous children under their care. After having endured the trauma and distress of watching their children and grandchildren struggle with HIV/AIDS, the stress and isolation is compounded by the lack of resources available to them.

 

Since January, this project has changed the lives of 100 old age persons and 100 grandchildren under their care. This has been accomplished by providing food supplements and other important nutritional requirements such as rice, beans, soya flour, sugar etc for the 100 grandmothers. This has resulted in the improvement of their health as well as that of their grandchildren.

 

In addition, the project is providing counselling to the grandmothers and their families. This helps them to deal with the trauma that results from the death of their children and equips them to live a better and more functional life. Parental counselling is provided to 100 grandmothers so that they raise the HIV/AIDS orphans under their care, in a better way.

 

Under the project 10 staffers of ROTOM have received HIV/AIDS counselling training to equip them to counsel grandmothers and grandchildren affected by HIV/AIDS.

The project also sponsors routine medical screening and treatments for 100 grandparents and the dependant orphans under their care, making it possible for the entire family to lead healthier and happier lives. Children can attend school more regularly since they are in a better health.

In addition, 100 grannies have received training and small animals to provide a source of income and occupational therapy.

The project runs continuous hygiene improvement campaigns (with incentives for their additional efforts) and quarterly inspections in the homes of the supported grandmothers. This effort has greatly improved their hygiene and health.

A total of 30 orphaned children in vocational and secondary school, plus 70 children in the primary schools, have received support in the form of school fees, school supplies, and uniforms, giving them an opportunity to access education. This gives them hope for a better future.

One of the grandmothers, who has benefited from this project, is Harriet. Harriet, aged 70, lost her daughter and was left with orphans to look after. One of them is 16-years-old girl, Allen. In their poverty, Harriet did her best to care for her and payed for her education up to seventh grade. After that, they were unable to pay for her education any more. The family had no income and were themselves very sick and needed help. As a result, Allen dropped out of school.

Early this year (2008), Harriet’s husband Jacob died at the age of 80, which made the situation even worse. It was now up to Allen to carry the burden of looking after her grandmother. Thanks to the ’grandmothers support project’, both Harriet and Allen are benefiting. Harriet’s health is now better and she can do some chores to care for herself. This gives Allen time to attend the vocational school, where she is learning to be a tailor. Her tuitions fees and other requirements are covered by this project. In two years, Allen will graduate and she will be able to employ herself as a village tailor. This will provide an income for her and also for her granny.

In the meantime, Harriet has also received a goat to raise. She participates in the weekly peer counselling, with other grannies, where they share their burdens and support each other. Because she receives regular supplies of food and proper medical treatment, she is now healthier and happier. Her resolve and motivation to care for her granddaughter has been rejuvenated because she knows that someone is standing by her side.

She is is one of the many grannies whose lives have been touched, and changed by the project. I am encouraged to see our small effort become a big support to Harriet in her fight for life and that of her orphaned granddaughter.

It is these experiences that give us a reason to keep looking for every opportunity to come alongside the grandmothers; the unsung heroes of Africa.