Ensure Comfort for Grandmothers

Lately we have been welcoming two grandmothers at the Chikumbuso center who come to ask for support and to be included in the grandmother sponsorship program. They usually come around when they are hungry and ask for food. Up to this point Gertrude has been taking them in and sharing her own food with them.

 Both grandmothers are from Ng’ombe, where our community center is located. Paulina is one of the grandmothers. She had 5 children (3 daughters, 2 sons). The 3 daughters have passed away. One son is married and never visits her. She lives with her last son, who drinks a lot and doesn’t work.

 The other grandmother is called Elesedi. All of her children have passed away but one daughter. She lives with this young daughter and 4 grandchildren (from her other children, who have passed away). The young daughter does piece work (is hired out daily) and with this small amount of money she provides for the 4 children (her nephews) and her mother (Elesedi).

 Grandmothers struggle in Ng’ombe to feed children and care for them because they are unemployable. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these grandmothers the cost is $350/year, a bit less than $30/month. The grandmother receives monthly food allotments, visits from a caregiver, and a mattress and blanket. It will change their lives!

Winter is coming and our grandmothers will soon have to deal with low temperatures and lots kids running around. They often sit outside, wrapped in blankets, with other women from their community to chat and give each other support. 

That's why the widows of Chikumbuso are so appreciated. They not only visit the grandmothers to give them food and supplies, but they take the time to visit with them, to inquire about their health, and to listen to their stories. Companionship and love are just as important to our grandmothers as the wood to warm their houses.

As the summer months come along, and as you sit in the shade outside your house enjoying the cool, think of our grandmothers, halfway around the world, keeping warm because of your support.