By Beatrice Akite
March 3, 2013
The First Lady of Uganda, Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni blesses Reach Out Mbuya (ROM) who felt honored upon her visit to witness the various activities of the Reach Out organization on March 1,2013.
Dr. Stella Alamo Talisuna the executive director expressed grave gratitude to the first lady for honoring her invitation to Reach Out. With the initiation of ROM in 2002, Dr. Stella acknowledges the great work they have done in saving the lives of thousands of people. She appreciates the role of the private partners in aiding the organization to push on and become what it is today, a model for all, and a place of glory for talented vulnerable children. She observed the fact that Reach Out has health facilities with strong community grounding, transition of lives using Roses of Mbuya Program, the village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). She acknowledged that for three consecutive years, ROM has been a representation of what is best for families.
The success story from a beneficiary of the Organization of Vulnerable Children(OVC), Eddie Balese a student of Kyambogo University of Bachelors of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering who lost his Mother to the Aids scourge but has been supported by ROM from Primary six to where he is left no doubt about the great work ROM is doing.
Dr. Tadesse Wuhit the representative from center for disease control and prevention (CDC) confessed that ROM is one organization that has people who have their heart at work, and provides treatment with words. He encourages the organization to continue the optimal use of recourses.
Dr. Musa Bungndu the UNAIDS representative also encouraged Reach Out to utilize the available resources so that they are not wasted. He did not fail to acknowledge the profound compassion and passion that ROM exhibits.
While, Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni appreciates ROM for the success of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) component that she witnessed from the testimonies she gathered from the tour of the programs of Reach Out. She encourages ROM to continue the good work and have an avenue for passing on the information so that people learn from the good work they are doing. She acknowledges the PMCT program which she says is one that is an inspiration for mothers to learn from. She applauds the integrated savings scheme that gives the women hope and need to provide for themselves; and not to lean on anybody for support and thus remain independent.
She suggests starting a radio station: “Reach Out Uganda” to create awareness to everyone. She also encourages everyone including the men and the youth to join hands in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
As a dedication to the program, the First Lady encourages talking about prevention so that, “people strive to live and not just to survive”. And as the message reaches out, the people of Mbuya are more than eager to await the president’s visit, as Janet observed about his invitation to Mbuya.
Fr. John Mughereza who is also the chairman Board of Directors says, the visit of the first lady is an encouragement to move on. Basing on the values of the church, he says ROM does not discriminate, and like Jesus comes that we may have life to the fullest, Reach Out offers the best to all humanity.