“I was staying in an old, poor leaking grass-thatched hut and whenever it rained
at the night, I would wake up and stand in the corner with my 12- year-old
grandchild. During the rainy season, I could not sleep at all as my bedding was
wet. I was scared of getting seriously sick or dying due to coldness. I am now
a happy granny who owns my very own iron-roofed house and a pit latrine. By
God's mercy, my grandchild and I did not contract cholera, as my pit latrine
was in a very poor state before Nyaka helped me. I never had hope of owning an iron-roofed
house, especially at my age! Nor did I imagine being able to sleep comfortably without
being disturbed by rainfall during the night. I am so grateful to Nyaka for
giving me a new house and latrine.” Akampobusingye Vereria, 80 years old

Thanks to our generous donors we began construction on 130 houses last year that have
directly increased the health, hygiene, economic security, food security and
general wellbeing of 130 Grandmothers and approximately 780 orphans. By the end
of 2010, 107 houses were completed while 23 houses are still under
construction. In addition, 82 latrines and 32 kitchens were built, while 40
latrines and 40 kitchens are now under construction. Still, for every
Grandmother we help, there are thousands more living in complete destitution.

It is not unusual for a grandmother to care for up to 14 grandchildren and other orphans.  They do so without any safety net like social security or welfare.  Your continued support is critical to their welfare.

Having met so many of these grandmothers who should be enjoying the twilight of their life instead of chasing grandchildren, l can tell you with an open, honest heart they are so grateful for your support.  Your donation ensures they are able to buy blankets, seeds, gardening hoes, and the other necessities for themselves and their grandchildren.

The best is yet to come!

Links:

• Volunteer!
• Spring 2011 Newsletter
• Read Jackson's Book

On behalf of the Grandmothers of The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project, we wish you a

Happy Father’s Day!

Many grandmothers are now acting as mother and father to up to 14 grandchildren. Since HIV/AIDS swept through their communities stealing parents and leaving 2.2 million orphans alone in the country of Uganda, grandmothers have become guardians of the next generation.  Please make a donation to support our Grandmother Project today in honor of your Father.  Support the Grandmothers of Nyaka in their ongoing commitment to the education and well-being of the future fathers of Uganda despite all odds.

The Grandmothers of The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project inspired the building of the Nyaka Primary School in 2001 by lining up at the door of the Founder and Executive Director, Jackson Kaguri to ask for school fees for their grandchildren.  They were the voices that encouraged the organization to extend the Clean Gravity-Fed Water System so that members of the community could drink clean water without walking long, dangerous distances every day.  Once given a micro-finance loan they began making baskets to support their family and often they expand their businesses by making pottery, raising livestock and selling produce from their gardens.  They continue to support and advocate for one another through the Grandmother Training Programs as leaders in the communities of southwestern Uganda.  However, they recognize their most important role is to ensure that their grandchildren receive a quality education through The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project. 

We have much to celebrate on behalf of the grandsons who are studying so hard to become healthy and productive men in rural Uganda.  Education is critical for their success in providing for themselves and their families.  A perfect Father’s Day gift for the dad “with it all” is to sponsor a boy’s education this year. A donation of $42 a month provides for 1 young man's secondary school education for 1 year.

We know that our human rights based holistic approach is making a difference. Our students excel yearly in their national exams and the Nyaka Primary School was ranked 8th out of 220 schools in 2010 .  We know we cannot take all of the credit.  Our grandmothers hold tightly to a future of educated grandsons.  They are raising thousands of grandsons who will become fathers and lead their communities even farther out of poverty by following the example of their strong and courageous grandmothers.

The best is yet to come!

Links:

• Visit our Esty Grandmother Shop!
• Host a Summertime Grandmother Basket Party!
• Watch a video of our students and grandmothers!

We are happy to announce our newest project benefiting the 7,000 true unsung heroes that we serve through microfinance loans, distribution of gardening implements, 91 self-help groups, and much more is up and running!  Every month we will send you updates specific to the progress of the community of grandmothers we serve. They are prospering and leading much more fulfilled lives thanks to donors like you!  

Often times, I am asked by the people I meet while speaking to potential Young Heroes, signing my book The Price of Stones, or meeting with donors, what else they can do to support these grannies who are raising upward of 14 orphans without social security or the other safety nets we have access to in the United States.  

When you host a Basket Party, you become part of a growing circle of people who are helping impoverished Ugandan women rise out of poverty. By partnering with Ugandan women a world away, you are truly helping them achieve a better future. On behalf of the Ugandan Grandmothers and orphans living in extreme poverty, thank you for considering taking action!

Our organization purchases the handmade baskets from each grandmother directly.  The demand for their beautiful baskets generated by donors and supporters like you has provided a source of sustainable income for their households.  The grandmothers are starting to branch out into ceramics, livestock and agriculture.  Our grandmothers are entrepreneurs! The profits from the sale of the baskets are funneled into the Grandmother Project ensuring that we provide the same services to grandmothers in need throughout southwestern Uganda.

If you’re ready to host a party, please download and read how to host a Basket Party.   Then, contact us and we will send you a package that will have everything you will need to host a fun and successful party.

You can also purchase a basket or paper bead necklace from the Nyaka Grandmother Shop on Etsy! 

Thank you for your continued support of the Nyaka Grandmothers.

Links:

• Nyaka Grandmother Shop
• Nyaka Grandmother Project