Eighty radiant years grace Jajja Kate Nakalema's face, etched with the stories of a life both challenging and beautifully unexpected. Born the only girl amongst six children, she faced the heart-wrenching loss of her mother at a young age. Unable to care for all his children alone, her father sent her to Bweyogerere, a town near Uganda’s capital-Kampala to live with other relatives.

Friendship became Kate's solace. Perhaps a subconscious shield against the early hardship, she formed deep connections with ease. Returning to Mukono town as a teenager, she was met with another blow – the loss of most of her siblings.

Marriage brought companionship, but the yearning for children remained unfulfilled. Yet, Kate's heart brimmed with love, and her stepchildren cherished her like their own mother.

Life took another turn with the passing of her husband. Kate returned to her father's area, with no biological family. The absence of biological children loomed large as she aged. In Africa, where family is the cornerstone of elder care, her future seemed uncertain. However, destiny, with a gentle hand, intervened.

Kate joins ROTOM in 2015. Through the Senior Friendship Program, she found a connection that went beyond traditional family. She beams with pride, calling her ROTOM sponsor "the son I bore in my old age." A twinkle fills her eyes as she draws a parallel to Sarah (in the bible), finding solace in the story of a woman who gave birth at an age most deemed impossible.

Tears well up in kate's eyes not just of joy, but of a profound sense of belonging. Her ROTOM friends haven't just brought support, they've brought family. Their visits are filled with laughter and warmth, and she has had a chance to meet her grandchildren (the children of her ROTOM supporting friends).

Jajja Kate sees her ROTOM support as both children and parents. They fill the void left by the absence of biological children, showering her with care and love. Each morning, a silent prayer of gratitude escapes her lips, thanking God for the unexpected family that has enriched her golden years.

Though life dealt her a tough hand, the power of connection and friendship have transformed her solitary existence into a life brimming with laughter, joy, and the warmth of a newfound family.