Lighting up the elderly's Christmas with solar lamps

 

Eunice Nakaggwa, 73, woke up to a pitch-black room that she could barely differentiate the window from the walls. Ettaala, lutalo luwanvu ate lwabulumi (getting light, is a long and painful battle),” says Nakagwa, who confesses she dreads the night and early morning hours. 

 

“In the dark, you are worried about running into a wall or enduring the battles of a tired kerosene lamp; that is if you will even have the money to purchase a matchbox or kerosene. Most of the time, we are in absolute darkness,” Nakaggwa narrates, as she breaks into tears — not because of her situation, but because she is overwhelmed that someone has remembered her. 

 

“Who am I, at my age to be remembered? Not many people notice our presence,” an excited Nakagwa says. 

Nakagwa is not the only one shedding tears of joy, Christina Nakatte, 74, also a beneficiary, weeps in joy, “I have three grandchildren. Providing safe light has not been easy. I am always worried the kerosene might spark off a fire.

 

We received a donation of mosquito nets, but I feared to hang them up because they might catch fire. We, the elderly, have a tendency to doze off. If that happens when the candle is lit, the mosquito net might catch fire. In the end, I battle a bigger problem of treating malaria,” Nakatte says.

 

Nakaggwa and Nakatte are among the few lucky elderly people that received the gift of light, a solar lantern, at the annual Christmas party for the elderly. The party was organised by Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM), an organisation that reaches out to the elderly.

 

“A total of 64% of the older persons we support use kerosene lamps, which can be very harmful. Many, often have no money to buy kerosene so they may not have light. We have decided to provide safe light to 570 older persons in Uganda. The vulnerable older persons may never receive a gift from anyone since not many people pay attention to them,” says Kenneth Mugayehwenkyi, the executive director of ROTOM.

 

According to the 2005/2006 Uganda National Household Survey Report, the population of the elderly is about 1.2 million, with many living on less than a dollar (sh2,350) per day. The situation of older persons is made worse after the loss of their children, who in Africa, are an asset. 

 

A total of 2.1 million children who would ordinarily have been raised by their parents are left under the care of helpless elderly grandparents. 

 

According to ROTOM, 56% of the elderly in Uganda suffer from physical disabilities, while another 39% have visual impairments. The majority live in semi-permanent and makeshift structures, with their source of light pausing serious dangers. “Many often dose off, raising risks of a fire,” Mugayehwenkyi says. Besides, they face the danger of respiratory diseases from the toxic fumes produced by the kerosene lamps.

 

Being among the poorest in Uganda — with 64% of them living on less than sh2,350 per day — providing safe light to their grandchildren is a luxury they cannot afford. 

 

In order to protect their grandchildren who are usually below 10 years, the only solution remains living in darkness, which is not a safer option either. 

 

“A snake can easily creep in. Do you realise how this is an even bigger problem? When it comes to lighting, our problems are countless,” Nakaggwa says.

 

“We are invisible to many. They don’t think we can also celebrate, but this makes us happy. At least someone out there sees us and cares for us this much. It means a lot,” says an overjoyed Baker Mugerwa, 80.

 

Indeed including our elderly relatives, neighbours or community members in the seasonal celebrations and activities is not something we usually do. In fact, many elderly people experience a cold Christmas. Not only do they struggle to cope with the escalating costs, but also by the absence of warmth from the people around them. 

 

So there is no greater way to get into the Christmas mood than lift the spirit of those around us. Of the 570 elderly people ROTOM intends to reach this season, only 200 have gained access to a solar lantern. This will end all their worries since it lasts eight hours after charging on sunlight. The lantern, which is not bulky and is easy to operate, can light up an entire room. 

 

The solar lantern was acquired from Solar Sisters, an organisation to fight the lack of light. It is run by a group of women.

As 370 older persons wait for an opportunity to have access to safe light, this season, you can choose to reach and touch an elderly person by teaming up with ROTOM to contribute sh40,000 to the cause. 

 

ROTOM supports older persons to access medical care, safe housing improve hygiene, income and food security and provides emotional and spiritual support.

It enhances the capacity of grandmothers to deal with the impact of HIV/AIDS, including raising the orphaned left in their care. 

 

The water and sanitation project provides over 6,000 households with safe water. The HIV/AIDS prevention education project reaches over 40,000 people, among whom 1,200 are elderly. They also provide shelter to improve the living conditions of the elderly.

 

To light up an old person’s Christsmas, send your contribution to