Harvesting Hope: USSSU’s September 2024 Impact Report
- Damian Wayne
- Mar 2
- 4 min read
As Universal Seniors Social Services Uganda (USSSU) continues its mission to uplift seniors in Manafwa District, September 2024 was a month of growth, care, and reflection.
From successful vegetable gardens to home visits, counseling, food support, and preparations for an upcoming medical camp, our work is proving that small acts of kindness can create life-changing impact.
However, this month also brought sorrow, as we said goodbye to one of our beloved seniors.
Growing Food, Growing Hope: The Success of Vegetable Gardens
Earlier this year, USSSU launched a vegetable gardening initiative to help seniors improve nutrition and income generation. September marked a milestone, as the first crops were harvested!
🥬 Key Achievements:
✅ All recipients planted their seeds, proving the program’s success.
✅ Many are now harvesting fresh vegetables, including collard greens (sukuma wiki) and Ggobe.
✅ Some seniors are selling surplus produce, using the earnings to buy other essentials.
🌿 "Vegetable gardening is not just about food—it is about independence, dignity, and hope."
📸 Snapshots:
The wife of Mzee John Wekoye harvesting vegetables from USSSU-provided seeds.
Caregivers of Ms. Margaret Namarome, Ms. Keziah Nekesa, and Ms. Nambuba Yoanina proudly tending to their gardens.
💡 Given the excitement around this initiative, we plan to continue supporting seniors with seeds and training as long as weather conditions remain favorable.
Caring for the Sick: Home Visits and Support
Our home visits continue to be a lifeline for seniors, providing spiritual, emotional, and material assistance.
🏠 Notable Cases This Month:
🔹 Ms. Tolita Nandeke – Slowly recovering from her broken leg, still using crutches but showing progress.
🔹 Mzee Wetoore John – Despite ongoing body pain, he looks much better. His family is caring for him well, and his hygiene and living conditions are impressive.
🔹 Mzee Wandobere Edward – Sadly, this visit was his last.
A Final Goodbye: Mourning Mzee Wandobere Edward (RIP)
💔 On September 26th, our team visited Mzee Edward and found him weak, suffering from chest pain, cough, and fever. The following day, he passed away.
🙏 We take comfort in knowing that in his final days, he found peace and faith.
✨ His journey with USSSU was transformative:
✅ Earlier this year, he received medical support and food assistance.
✅ Through USSSU’s ministry, he accepted Jesus as his Savior.
✅ He even attended church for the first time in years, making a public confession of faith that inspired the congregation.
💡 His life was proof that kindness, care, and community can restore dignity—even in the final moments.
📸 A look back at our journey with the late Edward (RIP) reminds us why our work matters.
Providing Food & Emergency Support
Food insecurity remains a major challenge among our seniors. This month, we identified the two neediest homes—those of Mzee Wekwanya John and Ms. Keziah Nekesa—and provided food and medication support.
📌 Why This Matters:
Both seniors face extreme poverty and cannot afford basic necessities.
Keziah’s location makes access to healthcare difficult, requiring alternative ways to provide support.
Wekwanya, despite settling into his new home, still needs assistance adjusting to his new environment.
💡 Continued food and medical support is essential for these vulnerable seniors.
Preparing for USSSU’s Upcoming Medical outreach (December 2024)
🚑 A major highlight this month was USSSU’s networking efforts for the upcoming medical camp scheduled for December 11, 2024.
📌 Key Meetings & Developments:
✅ Met with the District Health Officer (DHO) – He expressed full support and confirmed his team is ready to participate.
✅ Engaged with Dr. Mutto Paul (facility in-charge) – He welcomed the initiative and assured us that they are awaiting official instructions from district leadership.
💡 This medical camp will be a major milestone for USSSU, providing free medical care to seniors who otherwise have no access to healthcare.
Counseling & Spiritual Support: A Core Part of USSSU’s Mission
Aside from physical assistance, counseling remains a vital part of our outreach.
📌 Why It’s Important:
Seniors face emotional struggles, including loneliness, depression, and neglect.
Caregivers often feel overwhelmed and need emotional and spiritual encouragement.
Faith plays a significant role in providing hope and purpose in their final years.
💡 Both seniors and caregivers benefit from ongoing guidance, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued.
Celebrating International Older Persons’ Day (October 1, 2024)
🌍 Every year, the world marks International Older Persons’ Day (IDOP) on October 1st.
📢 USSSU plans to participate in this important event by:
✅ Raising awareness about elderly rights and responsibilities.
✅ Encouraging local stakeholders to support aging communities.
✅ Giving seniors a platform to share their stories and experiences.
💡 We believe IDOP should be an ongoing annual event to remind society that aging is a journey we all take.
Key Takeaways & Future Plans
✅ What We Achieved in September:
🌿 First vegetable gardens were harvested, improving nutrition and income.
🏠 Vulnerable seniors like Wekwanya and Keziah received essential food and medication.
💙 Counseling and spiritual support provided comfort to struggling seniors and caregivers.
🚑 Preparations for the December medical camp gained strong institutional support.
🙏 We said goodbye to a beloved senior, Mzee Edward, knowing that he left with dignity and faith.
How You Can Make a Difference
💙 The work we do at USSSU is only possible because of compassionate people like you.
🌟 Ways You Can Help:
✅ Donate – Provide food, medical care, and essentials for vulnerable seniors.
✅ Volunteer – Join us in home visits, counseling, and community outreach.
✅ Spread Awareness – Share our mission and encourage others to get involved.
📢 Visit www.usssu.org and stand with Uganda’s seniors today!
🚀 Together, we can ensure that every elder in Manafwa lives with dignity, care, and hope.
Monthly Report
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