The Grandmother Spirit
Mariya
Mariya Mukamabano, 70, raises one grandchild Gilbert Kayiranga, 13. They lives in a small house with two small rooms, the sitting room where they sleep and the kitchen. “Together with God I raise him. It’s hard because I’m getting older and don’t have enough energy,” she said. She had seven children but six died of natural causes and one died of AIDS. Gilbert: “I love my grandmother because she stands in my parents place.” Mariya: “I wish him fortune and good luck in the future, I always ask God to bless him and help him follow the way I’ve raised him.” The Grandmothers of Africa, many who have lost adult children to HIV/AIDS are now having to raise Grandchildren, even Great-Grandchildren with very little means and support.
