VSO Ireland HIV&AIDS Programme: Supporting Maggie

13/10/2011 15:54:00

 In the lead up to World Aids Day, VSO is drawing a light on people supported by our HIV&AIDS programming worldwide.

 HIV&AIDS is causing grannies across Southern Africa to care for their sick adult children and take in abandoned or even orphaned children.

VSO-RAISA sees carers as the unsung heroes.  Working tirelessly to bathe, medicate and support the sick, they themselves need recognition.

Maggie the Unsung Hero

Take Maggie Kwendo( pictured), a grandmother living in a disadvantaged suburban area of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. Maggie is a widow.  Two of her daughters and one of her sons have died already from AIDS so in the past ten years, she has seen much sorrow.  In her colourful house Maggie is looking after 7 of her grandchildren. 

An organisation called New Dawn of Hope (NDH) supports families and people like Maggie who have been hugely affected by HIV&AIDS.  NDH have been visiting her regularly in the past 2 years and providing her a with a social transfer, meaning a small cash donation, monthly, coupled with a 10kg parcel of corn and soya. 

Maggie uses the cash to purchase what she needs to care for herself and her grandchildren.  One of her daughters lives in her house too, but has recently suffered from TB.  Thanks to NDH, her daughter was referred to a local clinic and treated. 

To boost Maggie’s vegetable garden, Maggie received horticulture training from NDH.  On this 5-day course Maggie learnt how to make the most out of her patch and  can now feed the many mouths in her household. 

NDH ran a special retreat for elderly carers which Maggie attended.  She joined other women from the community on this specialised course where she learned about nutrition for herself and the children; how to build better relationships between patients and parents; how to support children with problems; and coping mechanisms for bereavement.

NDH is an organisation that is supported by VSO-RAISA to provide services for people affected by HIV.  VSO-RAISA is a Southern African programme that improves the lives of people living with HIV&AIDS.

VSO Ireland run the RAISA programmes.

Editor's notes