With age, many women dream of retiring and being taken care of by their loved ones, but the challenges they often face make that dream a far-fetched reality.
Due to poverty and illnesses, these women, ‘super grannies,’ not only end up caring for their sick children, but also become primary care givers to their orphaned grand and great grand-children.While the AIDS epidemic continues to plague the area, youth, in particular, are being affected by the deadly disease, leaving their children behind.
To support these families, a group of inspirational grandmothers from Khayelitsha formed, Grandmothers Against Poverty and Aids (GAPA), an organization that offers financial and psychological support to affected families.
According to the site, the project recognises the challenges faced by these grannies. It also celebrates their ”unity” and strength in their communities, as both carers and activists.
Through this project, thousands of grannies have benefited from skills that include parenting, first-aid, and learning income generating activities such as vegetable gardening and handcrafts. The work by these grannies eradicates harsh realities of poverty to orphans and brightens their future.
As well, they share educational messages by singing and dancing at bus stops and handing out condoms to passengers.
Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance has paid off as they are now receiving international recognition. A photo exhibition about the day in the life of these grannies will be installed in Cape Town in May 2011and Washington DC. USA from July to September 2011.
It is said that the exhibition will be the premise of a book about these grannie’s lives, coordinated by South African Journalist Eric Miller and award-winning South African Journalist Jo-Anne Smetherham.
Show your support! To learn more about the project, click here.
Photo: GAPA
