MPs (Ssuubi Kinyamatama and Amos Mandela get their share of the cake during the function

RAKAI. It was joy and excitement on October 18 as Kitovu Mobile handed over the Ddwaniro Grandmothers and Orphans and Vulnerable Children project to the government after equipping them with hands-on  skills .

LIGHT MOMENT: A counsellor for Grandmothers, shares a moment with one of the project beneficiaries.

The project which had 150 grand mothers and 596 orphans under their care was handed over to the sub county officials after three years of economic and social empowerment by Kitovu Mobile staff.

The day, which was characterized by  a downpour, had a lot activities including ,but not limited to medical care that was given to the grandmothers by Kitovu Mobile Medical Centre , dance between staff and the grandmothers and the powerful sermon from Rev Fr Charles Mbazzi,a parish priest of Kyazanga Catholic Parish ,Lwengo District.

Fr Mbazzi applauded Kitovu Mobile funders for extending God’s love to Ugandans, especially those in Masaka Diocese, and particularly vulnerable      grandmothers in  Ddwaniro.

“Many times, we fail to help those in need  because of many excuses, but our donors are doing it without any excuse, but simply love that enables  them donate the little they have for us to benefit in different ways,” Fr Mbazzi said

He later requested the beneficiaries to show love to whoever  taught them, be it in health, agriculture and community empowerment.

While grandmothers thought the window of their joy was already closed, the area MPs Juliet Ssuubi Kinyamatama( Rakai District woman MP)  and Amos Mandela(Buyamba county MP) opened it.

The duo gave the grandmothers   saucepans and later bought some of the products which the mothers made under their different groups.

While handing over the project ,  Mr Justus Rugambwa, the Kitovu Mobile chief executive officer, said “Steven Louis , who  funds the project has one objective which is to see all people affected or infected with HIV/Aids  be helped wherever they are, and his[Steven Louis]  family knows that grandmothers carry the heaviest burden of HIV/Aids , a reason why he entrusted Kitovu Mobile to help such grandmothers” he said

He said it is Kitovu Mobile’s joy to start a project, accomplish it and later hand it over to the permanent service providers which in this case, is government.

About the project

Grand mothers ready to cut the cake as the master of ceremony counts.

Mr Emmanuel Muwonge, the coordinator Kitovu Mobile Grand Mothers and OVC support project, said they had over 150 grand mothers and 596 orphans under their care.

The project, which started with selecting the most vulnerable grandmothers in the sub county, ran  for three solid years.

Each year, according to Muwonge, a particular activity was done, where Year One involved counseling, and giving support to the grandmothers in form of mattresses and bed sheets.

In Year Two, beneficiaries were   engaged in saving groups to start activities which can see them earn a living by doing craft work using the locally available resources.

During Year Three ,the project implementers focused on  monitoring its  progress and after they were convinced that the beneficiaries are fully empowered, the projects was handed over to the government to carry it on and enable them move to  another sub county.

Mr Muwonge revealed that  they are going to relocate to Kabira Sub -County in Kyotera District and offer  similar services  to grandmothers in the area.

Beneficiaries’   testimonies

Area MPs Mr Amos Mandela (2rd left) and Ssubi Kinyamattama (right) giving grand mothers saucepans.

Tonita Nakachwa, 74, says she has been empowered by Kitovu Mobile which got her out of slumber, “I have many orphans who are under my care, but found it hard to care for them,” She says, adding “But Kitovu Mobile has  woke   me up and gave me skills ”

She says she had got tired of savings groups which never met her dreams, but just cheating her  but the solidarity groups under this project have re-instilled the spirit of saving.

Twekembe group B, one of the solidarity groups exhibits its products.

Some grandmothers arrive at the function

Some of the craft work done by members of Bakadde tudemu esuubi groups.