22/02/2013
Zena* is a grandmother to four
gorgeous girls aged between 10 and 18. They are cousins, their mothers being
Zena’s daughters. Two of them lost both their parents to HIV in the same week,
nearly 12 years ago. The other two lost their mother 6 years ago, also to HIV,
although they do have a living father who cannot support them, and his
whereabouts are unknown. None of the children are HIV positive.
Zena is quite energetic for an elderly
lady, the love she has for her granddaughters is clearly evident, and tears
swelled in her eyes when she reminisced about her daughters. She keeps herself
busy with traditional crafts (e.g. spinning yarn) and making coffee and popcorn
to sell. Her efforts are not well rewarded and she struggles to keep their
heads above water.
OSSA have supported her for 12 years, initially
providing everything from bed linen, soap and food to educational materials and
financial supplements. This aid has waned considerably over the years and now
the only aid they receive is educational materials and uniforms for the four
girls to attend school.
This story is heart-warming alone,
however I have to add that there was another child we met, Betty*, she is 5
years old – to look at her you would think she were 3 years old at a push (this
is a direct effect of malnutrition). Zena found her in the woodland a couple of
years ago, she had been abandoned by her family, no one knows where she is from.
This big eyed shy little girl is now part of the family; she is helped by
everyone in the home compound.
For a family, even a group of people
living in a small compound, who have so little to live on to take on another
child is such an outstanding thing. Their wages and homes may be small but
their hearts are gargantuan.
Kx
*Names have been changed to protect
identity.
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