Kitovu Mobile hands over grandmothers and OVC support project to local government after three years of empowerment
Mr Kintu,Kyotera District boss (left) and Justus Rugambwa,Kitovu Mobile CEO award certificate of appreciation to Nassimba Amina,an advocate and solidarity group leader.
By Moses Muwulya,Communications Officer
Kitovu Mobile has today handed over the grandmothers and OVC support project to the local government authorities of Kirumba Sub county. Kirumba is in Uganda’s Central District,Kyotera.
Unlike in the past, when such project handover events went on with a bee hive of activities like having with mass, exhibition of different items made by grannies among other events, this was done in a rather silent event to observe the infamous Covid-19 preventive guidelines issued by the government.
Local government leaders,including the Community Development Officer,sub county chief and chairperson pose for a photo with Kitovu Mobile Grandmothers project staff.
Very few grandmothers, stakeholders were able to gather at Kirumba sub county headquarters to witness the handover ceremony of project which had 380 grannies empowered to have resilience to brave the impact of HIV/AIDS.
Mr Kintu,guest of honor speaks to grannies
The four speakers from the local government hailed Kitovu Mobile for the initiative, saying the organization has continued to uplift the livelihood and health of grannies,not only in Kirumba but in Kyotera District at large.
“This mandate belongs to the government. Organisations like Kitovu Mobile are just helping us, which is a very commendable job,” Mr Kintu Kisekulo,the chairman Kyotera District said.
Kintu, who was the guest of honor, urged the grannies to jealously guard the achievement realized from the project for the three years they have got empowered. I know you got pigs and breeding centers. Keep them well. These do not belong to Kitovu Mobile, they belong to you”
He requested Kitovu Mobile to keep in touch with the grannies, supervising them in a while so as to keep them on the right truck.
Speaking to the grannies, Justus Rugambwa, Kitovu Mobile CEO, encouraged grannies to remain physically active to keep age-related and non communicable diseases away.
Justus Rugambwa,Kitovu Mobile CEO, giving his remarks
Grannies with their appreciation certificates pose for a group photo with Kitovu Mobile grand mothers project staff
The project, which started with selecting the most vulnerable grandmothers in the sub county, ran for three solid years (2017-220) which different activities done in phases(years) where year/phase one involved counseling, and giving support to the grandmothers in form of mattresses and bed sheets.
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.
Light moment,a granny shares with project fieled officer
Kitovu Mobile is now moving the project in Lwankoni sub county, still in Kyotera District, and offer similar services to grandmothers in the area.
Kitovu Mobile is forever grateful for the generosity from the Stephen Lewis Foundation for supporting this great cause of building resilience of grandmothers and grandchildren under their care.