Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Geography and Environment

Supervisor

Luginaah, Isaac.

Abstract

Older adults (60 years+) were more likely to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus and the government-mandated public health measures. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM), played essential roles in supporting those affected. The specific objectives of this study include 1) to explore the experiences of ROTOM staff and volunteers that supported older adults in Uganda and Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) documenting the strategies employed by ROTOM, and 3) to investigate the recovery efforts implemented to build back. Drawing from 28 interviews conducted with staff and volunteers from ROTOM, an underlying theme was the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated public health measures on older adults. However, ROTOM utilized unique strategies to provide quality services to its beneficiaries. The knowledge of ROTOM can be shared with other countries and NGOs to help prepare for future public health crises. Drawing from 28 interviews conducted with staff and volunteers from ROTOM, an underlying theme was the negative impacts of the pandemic and public health mandates on older adults. However, ROTOM, utilized unique strategies, such as implementing Village Health Teams, to provide quality services to its beneficiaries. The knowledge and successes of ROTOM can be shared with other countries and NGOs to help build a coordinated roadmap for COVID-19 recovery and prepare for future public health crises.

Summary for Lay Audience

During the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults (individuals who are 60 years or older) were more likely to be severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus and the government-mandated public health measures. Older adults residing in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) were severely affected due to the limited governmental support, lack of access to safe water and sanitation and other constraints. During this time, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) played essential roles in supporting those affected. Indeed, Reach One Touch One Ministries (ROTOM), an NGO holistically supporting older adults and their dependents in Uganda and Ethiopia, provided food, sanitation supplies, and healthcare to their beneficiaries. However, NGOs, such as ROTOM, had increased costs and demand for services, impacting service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The specific objectives of this study include 1) to explore the experiences of NGO staff and volunteers who supported older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) to document the strategies employed by ROTOM to contain the spread of COVID-19 amongst the older adult population, and 3) to investigate the recovery efforts implemented to build back.

Using a grounded theory approach, 28 interviews were conducted with staff and volunteers from ROTOM. After analyzing the interviews using both deductive and inductive coding, one major theme was the many negative impacts of COVID-19 and government-mandated public health measures on older adults. For example, reverse migration caused an increased number of individuals residing in older adults’ households. However, ROTOM, due to utilizing unique strategies, such as implementing Village Health Teams made up of volunteers who delivered medications, public health education and social support to older adults in the community, continued to provide quality services to its beneficiaries. There are several limitations of this research including only involving one NGO, interviewing only two ROTOM Ethiopian staff and volunteers interviewed and not including the voices of the older adults themselves. Despite these limitations, the knowledge and successes of ROTOM can be shared with other African countries and NGOs experiencing similar challenging concerns to help build a coordinated roadmap for COVID-19 recovery and protect against future public health crises.

Download

Available for download on Thursday, May 07, 2026

Share

COinS