Granny support group report
By Cwengigile Myeni

The number of Granny Support Groups is increasing rapidly in the Valley of a Thousand Hills. The news of what's happening in the Support Groups is spreading from community to community. Once the grannies hear of our projects, they start organizing themselves and call for help. The number has increased from four in 2008 to eleven in March 2009.

The enrolment of grannies in each group is as follows:

Inchanga Group - 46 members
Upper Molweni Group - 28 members
Lower Molweni Group - 20 members
KwaMchunu Group - 22 members
Magatsha Group - 30 members
Ezitholeni Group - 15 members
Mgoqozi Group I - 10 members
Mgoqozi Group II - 21 members
Mnamatha Group - 10 members
Esikhelekehleni Group - 15 members
Mathebethu Group - 23 members

Starting in 2006 through to 2008, May Chazan from Careleton University in Ottawa, Canada, conducted a research study on the work done by the HACT nurses in the community. This study included an intensive research focus group and in-depth interviews with approximately 100 grannies between June and October 2008.

Grannies in Chazan's study reported a multitude of stresses in their lives. These stressors included: financial problems, violence, insecurity, abuse, HIV/AIDS, and other chronic illnesses. The study highlighted how grandmothers' burdens extend well beyond the devastating consequences of HIV/AIDS. They are deeply affected by the continuation of poverty, violence and illnesses in ways that profoundly alter how they relate to their families, communities, and their roles as grandmothers.

In order to combat these obstacles the grannies have turned to support groups to help them develop spiritually, mentally, financially, and physically.

Spiritually:

In their meeting, grannies spend time praying together and sharing the word of God. Through this community prayer and spiritual sharing the grannies are able to re-forge closer relationships with the Lord in their old age. It's important for these grannies to remind themselves that in spite of what has happened in their lives, God loves them.

Mentally:

As described above, grannies and their families struggle with many socioeconomic stressors. In order to start addressing these issues, ten people from the surrounding communities are getting training in bereavement counselling. In addition, the support groups provide a place for Grannies to share their experiences and learn from each other. It is a chance for them to realize that they are not alone.

Financially:

The grannies have expressed that they would like to start income-generation projects to add to their income. In response Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust arranged training programmes in basic sewing skills. Grannies have received training from the Centre itself, the Baptist Church in Kloof, and from Embo Craft, who trained 27 grannies in the Nyusa area in basic sewing from November 2008 to February 2009. In order to create their merchandise, grannies are using old donated sewing machines, donated materials, and donated fabrics. Additionally, some grannies are involved in crocheting, knitting, beadwork, and gardening. By learning and working together in their Support Groups, the grannies are able to gain some financial empowerment and stability, lifting some of the burden these grannies must struggle with every day.

Physically:

Grannies are encouraged to do minor exercises such as walking and being up and about around the home. Health education talks are also given, and the HACT Education Department in now involved in educating grannies about HIV/AIDS. One of our goals for this programme is to involve retired physiotherapists to aid us in this area. It is important for these grannies to understand the importance of physical health, as they are often the main supporter or breadwinner of their families.

Thank you to all our generous donors who have made this project possible so far. These Support Groups are made possible by you, and I have seen the positive difference they make in the lives of each granny involved. We would like especially to thank:

• May Chazan, for conducting her research on our project, which has proved that these projects are necessary and successful. We are so grateful for your work, and to all those who assisted you during you stay with us.
• Embo Craft, who has done a wonderful job with the Magatsha group where 27 grannies were trained and ten sewing machines were donated to the community
• Hillcrest AIDS Centre and the Baptist Church in Kloof, who have trained ten grannies in basic sewing skills
• Carolyn Mixon from Canada, who donated six second-hand sewing machines and two new sewing machines, which went to support several groups
• Gelvenor Textiles, who donated fabrics which were divided and delivered to several groups
• ABSA Bank and the Homestead Gardening Project, who generously donated tree seedlings and an amount of R8000 to the Inchanga group.

Wish List:

1. This project provides spiritual, mental, financial and physical support to all our grannies through their support of and reliance on each other. These groups create a forum where grannies can rely on and learn from one another. In today's society, strong grannies are so important to all of us. Grannies today are raising children, and supporting entire families. In order to continue our work with these women, we have some projects which are only held back by a lack of funds:
2. In order to continue to develop the grannies financial empowerment, we need people with skills in handcrafting to teach new skills, and to train more grannies.
3. Support groups need regular visits from nurses and craft trainers for example, and transport costs are a huge barrier to these required visits.
4. Most grannies have a problem with poor eye sight. They are often referred to the eye centre at Botha's Hill Clinic, but most of them are unable to pay for their glasses.
5. Many of the grannies are interested in gardening. In order to pursue this, they need fencing material for their individual or communal gardens.
6. Lastly, we would love to be able to provide a warm and welcoming environment in which the grannies can meet. We feel that providing tea and sandwiches, or soup and bread would go a long way.
7. Lastly, all too often grannies are responsible for caring for orphans in their community. In order to provide additional support, we would like to implement a bereavement counselling programme for orphans, as well a life skills course for grannies, to assist them in raising these children. We lack the funding, however, to realize our goal.

Success Stories in Support Groups:

I am glad to report that members are taking ownership and initiative within groups and are mobilizing themselves. In KwaNyuswa, for instance, the grannies have decided to pool together R100 per month from their pensions to start a project of building houses for those living in poor conditions. They have started building a one-room house for a granny living in a falling mud house, and it is almost complete. These support groups help foster a strong community, one which can start to win the fight against HIV and AIDS. I am praying hard to God to open closed doors to help these support groups.