GoHelP's Stephanie Lu shares her experience travelling to Uganda with one of ROTOM's partners, H2O 4 ALL in a recent newsletter:
A Christmas To Remember
ROTOM Volunteer shares her experience of spending 2016 Christmas in Uganda
I have been involved with ROTOM since my first visit in 2008. Last year I visited ROTOM and was blessed to have been able to attend the two Christmas gatherings at Kabale and Mukono.
These Christmas celebrations are anticipated by both ROTOM Uganda staff and the Jajas (elderly) all year. They are the culmination of months of work and preparation. Last year, thanks to the Friends of the Jajas like you, ROTOM arranged a gift of traditional clothing to all of the Jajas and volunteers.
Mukono, is where the main office of ROTOM Uganda is located and the venue of the Christmas party. The Jajas began to arrive in Mukono at 7 am. The buses, taxis and ROTOM vehicles never seemed to stop until we had well over 500 elderly people and volunteers. Jajas came wearing their traditional dress to the Christmas party. The dresses showed which country sponsored the Jajas. Canadian supported jajas had beautiful red Gomeshi traditional wear.
The ROTOM Uganda staff from the office and medical clinic worked tirelessly to make sure all the seats and wheelchairs could be available for the Jajas. The staff danced for the audience which brought much applause. Some speeches were made but the most important part was the many presentations made by various Senior Fellowship groups. The Jajas were so creative! Each telling a story of the blessings they are grateful for being part of ROTOM. Many sang, some danced and the winning group did a whole skit on each thing they receive through their friendship program: medical care, fellowship meetings, food security, solar lamps, mattresses and bedding, housing, latrines, and now a chicken rearing program! Above all, they mostly shared how they value having each other through the fellowship groups to support and care for each other.
Linda lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has been a long time supporter of ROTOM Canada's Senior Friendship Program. She can be reached at lindaphallett@gmail.com
Meeting Pelepetwa - Stephanie Lu
In August 2016, I travelled from Canada to Uganda with one of ROTOM’s partners, H2O 4 ALL. Our project was to install a safe water system for one of ROTOM’s Outreach Centres for seniors. While on site, I had the privilege of seeing seniors gather in Magoggo for fellowship. They worshiped together through song, shared their joys and challenges, prayed for one another, and shared a meal that they cooked themselves. Seeing this community of believers reminded me of my own Christian fellowship back home!
In speaking with some of the ROTOM staff I was really impressed by how well the organization cares for the seniors. I learned that this has largely been achieved through their seniors sponsorship program.
As Moses from ROTOM said: “it’s the human connection with their sponsors that helps them go on.”Without that support it’s easy for them to give up on life in their circumstances.
Shaking the hands and greeting every single senior in attendance that day was a touching moment. They were so grateful for the little that we gave them. One woman who gave the official thank you to our team praised God for us. She thanked Christ, her Lord and Savior, for our generosity. After that it quickly became my desire to see a Ugandan senior be loved and cared for as my brothers and sisters in Christ in Canada love and care for me.
Thanks to ROTOM I am now a friend to Pelepetwa. Even though it’s estimated that Pelepetwa is around 100 years old, she has lots of energy, a loud voice, and a great laugh. On the day of our meeting I went in prepared that she might not know what was going on or that she’d be shy around a stranger, but her reaction was quite the opposite! She wanted to hug me and hold my hand. She also gave me the nickname “Stephania” because it’s easier for her to remember. It was a momentous day for both of us and I was even moved to tears when she said she was overwhelmed with God’s goodness after my card was read to her. I had also packed bottled water and as many snacks and fresh fruit I could gather for her; it was such a small gesture, but she opened the package like a kid on Christmas Day!
Pelepetwa said: “I have my doubts when I’m struggling, but He is able!” At the end of our meeting, she and the helpers from ROTOM sang me a song to say thank you and we prayed together too. Uganda will always hold a special place in my heart because of her!
