This is something I wrote in 2016 but is still applicable.
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It does not
exist or if it does exist, it is minuscule.
We have a
country which does not plan for the young or the elderly.
Most
countries plan for the young and the elderly.
We have retirement homes. You do
not have those in Uganda. Not that I am a big fan of retirement homes but at
least there is an option.
What is even
more shocking is the lands being taken away from our parents, grand parents and
our other elders.
So how do we
address this problem?
I think we
can start to look inside of us. Your
parents raised you and paid for your education so if you have a descent job,
return to them and look after them.
Then we have
a huge group of youth who are unemployed.
Many are likely related to you and you now have a responsibility. You cannot move into Kampala and enjoy life
without looking at where you come from.
I have
always told some friends that our parents and elders can live long as long as
we care for them. My formula for caring
for them is MMM. Medicine, Milk, Meat. It might sound insane but the older they get,
the more medicine they need. Then they
need protein. We do not put enough
protein into our diets so milk and meat helps.
You can try
to pay for milk delivery for your parents and elders daily. Then at least buy them meat once a week. It will help their sight and hearing.
These things
require a sacrifice on our part. If you
do not want to sacrifice a bit, then think that they will find no medicine in
the hospitals and will not get any protein.
It is a matter of skipping some restaurant meals then you can care for
them.
I have
written about raising kids in the past but now I would like us to think very
seriously about taking care of our parents, grand parents, uncles, aunties and
all those people on our villages that helped to raise us.
A degree
with a great job means nothing if you cannot take your spouse or children to
your village and proudly show them your relatives. Your spouse and children will want to know
where they come from and insist on going there.
If you do not believe me on this, try me taking my husband from France
and my first born to Bududa. The kid was
amazing. She took off her shoes and went
to play in the rain like the other kids.
My P1 teacher from Bududa (RIP Mrs. Masette) was proud that I had never
forgotten home. Then I look at some of
you Ugandans who dare not return to your villages.
Martha Leah Nangalama
Moncton, Canada
mlnangalama@gmail.com
whatsap
+15068716371
As usual, my
opinions are mine and mine alone.
Elder care in #Uganda
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