The Maruzi Age Alert Project (MAAP) - Uganda

Through intergenerational personal contact & commmunity action, people were able to work together for a rewarding cause. In addition, an enriched community of elders evolved, where a revival of traditional dances & poetry occured.

Ageing, Health, Nutrition, Population, Youth, Agriculture

A project instigated by local youths who realized that with the spread of AIDS & death of many from the parent generation, grandparents were often left with the responsibility of their grandchildren, under less than desirable conditions. The MAAP was meant to inject nutritious food & money into this situation while leaving members of the ageing population feeling productive & needed. The Uganda youths performed most of the hard labour, such as ploughing the thickly overgrown soil. They also raised funds to purchase seeds for beans, maize, sunflowers & groundnuts. "The older workers were stimulated by the fresh challenges & longer-term aspirations". A portion of the profits went to fixing huts & medical treatment for sick members. The project brought together many members of Uganda's ageing population which developed into more organised activities; including, the revival of traditional dances & poetry, which threatened to be lost to the younger generation with the influx of popular music. As time passed, the elders took on more of the planning & management, knowing that the youths were there if needed for support & the heavier work. This project fostered strong relationships between Uganda's youth & elderly members of the community.