A project to support vulnerable elderly people in Bisanje, south west Uganda
Food, counselling and medical care, January - December 2018
Sister Maria Goretti Ssanyu Nampewo reports:
"We have tried to improve on the diet of the elderly people since it has been the major cause of their ill health. At present, we are supporting 43 elderly people with rice, beans, soya porridge, salt, sugar, cooking oil and tea leaves. Additionally, we are providing soap, matchboxes, paraffin and Vaseline. We strive to consider the reality of each elderly person and the number of family members, since some of the elderly people have orphans or other relatives living with them. We make distributions every fortnight and usually four sisters and seven volunteers participate.
So far, we have provided medical treatment to five elderly people and monitored their progress carefully. We have recorded a great improvement in their health and they are very grateful for our services. We feel that our medical services are vital because they reflect our Charism which is love and this love pushes us to do more. These services have given life and restored hope among the elderly people and those around them.
We have also provided counselling to 25 elderly people and their family members. Our hope is that we can help the elderly people to accept their situations and be grateful to God for their lives, so that they can live happily in their old age. Some of them have opened up to share their experiences, especially the painful and challenging ones. This is reviving their lives and bringing back hope and trust in the people they are living with
The elderly people are so grateful, and they are praying for those people whom they do not know and have never seen, but who love and care for them. They feel blessed and sometimes they ask us whether they can see these people who are supporting them, and we keep promising them that one day, God willing, they will see you. Most of the elderly people see this as God’s providence because they had never dreamt of this support. I feel happy and they have hope of living longer."
"We have tried to improve on the diet of the elderly people since it has been the major cause of their ill health. At present, we are supporting 43 elderly people with rice, beans, soya porridge, salt, sugar, cooking oil and tea leaves. Additionally, we are providing soap, matchboxes, paraffin and Vaseline. We strive to consider the reality of each elderly person and the number of family members, since some of the elderly people have orphans or other relatives living with them. We make distributions every fortnight and usually four sisters and seven volunteers participate.
So far, we have provided medical treatment to five elderly people and monitored their progress carefully. We have recorded a great improvement in their health and they are very grateful for our services. We feel that our medical services are vital because they reflect our Charism which is love and this love pushes us to do more. These services have given life and restored hope among the elderly people and those around them.
We have also provided counselling to 25 elderly people and their family members. Our hope is that we can help the elderly people to accept their situations and be grateful to God for their lives, so that they can live happily in their old age. Some of them have opened up to share their experiences, especially the painful and challenging ones. This is reviving their lives and bringing back hope and trust in the people they are living with
The elderly people are so grateful, and they are praying for those people whom they do not know and have never seen, but who love and care for them. They feel blessed and sometimes they ask us whether they can see these people who are supporting them, and we keep promising them that one day, God willing, they will see you. Most of the elderly people see this as God’s providence because they had never dreamt of this support. I feel happy and they have hope of living longer."
Mrs Tereza Nansamba, being visited by sisters Teo and Goretti and receiving a donation of food, paraffin, matchboxes and soap.
The project provides important medical services to elderly people at the parish clinic and pharmacy.
|
Mrs Tereza Nakimbugwe enjoying a visit from the young aspirants and receiving some food and household items.
Mrs Benedicta Musitwa receiving some food and other items from sister Teo. She spends much time in bed due to her poor health.
|
Mr. Musitwa in a counselling session with sister Teo. Sadly, he is in bad health and cannot walk or take care of himself.
Mrs Anastazia Nakate receiving food and being embraced by one of the aspirants.
|
More photos from the project.
