Complete Report 

It is our tradition at ROTOM to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with the elderly under our care in a joyful, fun, and memorable way.  Every year since 2003 we have organized Christmas parties for all older persons supported by ROTOM .  In 2003, it was one party for 8 older persons we supported in Mukono.  In 2004, there were two parties, one each in Kabale and Mukono, with a total of 46 older persons participating.  I remember very well 14 older persons accepting Christ at those two parties. What a joy it was! 
In 2009 we had gatherings in four different areas with over 400 elderly present. 

Celebrations

In Kabale we had three parties: one in Muhanga (20th December), another in Wacheba (5th December), and in the hills of Kahama (10th December.)  In Mukono older persons were ferried by buses from different villages to our ROTOM Center where the grand party was held on the 18th. 

At all the parties, we had a thanksgiving service, a wonderful meal and the older persons favorite: CAKE!  In Muhanga for example, the ceremony started with thanksgiving service in the local church where older persons brought many gifts. We later had the meal and cake. The people in Muhanga were given a chance to invite guests and the majority invited their family and friends. In addition, we invited local leaders, which made the party very colorful and gained much respect for the elderly. In attendance were also the ROTOM project committee members and volunteers from all the areas where ROTOM operates. In Mukono, we had Mrs. Ruth Nkoyoyo; wife of retired Archbishop of the church of Uganda (The Most Rev. Dr. Livingstone M. Nkoyoyo) as the chief guest. The grannies and grandpas were so happy to have her with them especially because her husband was a pioneer of older persons care initiatives in the 80s and 90s. 

Gifts 

 At the parties ROTOM was able to give out gifts thanks to so many generous donors. There were gifts to recognize some for excelling in different ways and general Christmas gifts for all sponsored elderly. Older persons were recognized for helping other older persons, for mobilizing fellow older persons, etc. 

At the end of the parties, all elderly went home with packages of Christmas gifts. These comprised of groceries and other items needed at home.Everyone in the program from Mukono received bedsheets. 

45 households will also have water-harvesting/storage drums delivered to their homes at the beginning of January. Another 300 will receive mosquito nets as part of their Christmas package. We could not have them delivered in time for distribution at the parties and it is easier for our staff to bring them directly to homes with a demonstration on how to use them. 

Conclusion 

It was a blessing to see the elderly dancing and rejoicing at all the parties as if they were young again.  They truly experienced the joy and peace brought by the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It was hard to hold my emotions back. 

Sometimes I joined in the dance and other times all I could do was cry.  Who are we to be used by God in this way? What a privilege!  I was overwhelmed with joy to see how easily the ROTOM family can bring so much joy to these precious people who otherwise would be so miserable.  It is  moments like these that motivate all of us at ROTOM to continue doing the little we can, knowing that God uses it to have immeasurable impact. 

Thank you so much for your support that makes such moments of joy possible.  Special thanks to ROTOM staff, project committee members, volunteers and board members for your tireless efforts that made these ceremonies a great moment of joy for seniors. May the Almighty God bless you all! 

Kenneth Mugayehwenkyi 
Founder and Executive Director-ROTOM