Help 23,000 Ugandan Grandmothers Care for Children

Dear Friends,

Before we update you on our grandmothers and the effects the drought has had on them, we would like to let you know how you can help.  As many of you know, GlobalGiving offers matching funds for projects several times throughout the year.  The final opportunity in 2011 is on October 19th.  Please set an alarm and give generously that day!*  Details follow below.

It has been 2 years since The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project broke ground on Desire Farm with the help of passionate grandmothers. As you know, having lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, our students and other orphans in the surrounding rural area are typically cared for by their grandmothers.  The grandmothers came together with farming tools and coaxed unforgiving landscape into rows of fertile ground waiting to be planted. The name Desire was chosen by the community to embody their hopes for the future; a future without poverty and full of possibility for themselves and for their children.

This year, Desire Farm has been affected by the drought that hit much of Africa. The rains started in April but have been inconsistent. Despite this hardship, crops have been planted like bananas, beans, maize, onions, cabbage, tomatoes, and other vegetables. Pineapples are being harvested and some of them were given to the secondary school students who were working at the farm during the holidays. Moving forward, thanks to a weather gauge provided by Seed and Light International, Florence the Farm Manager will be able to better predict when the rain is coming and harvest appropriately.

Grandmothers too are feeling the effects of the drought.  In an area where food security is always tenuous, the inconsistent weather patterns have taken a toll on the 7,000 grandmothers who are a part of the Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project Grandmother Program.  We are happy to report, however, that our partner Seed and Light International has sent an additional 50 pounds of vegetable seeds for our grandmothers this year.  This is enough seed for every grandmother to plant an additional small garden and/or a community garden with others in their grandmother group.  The seed has the potential to harvest enough food for 30,000 individuals – a true blessing for an elderly person caring for upwards of 7-14 orphans! 

It is only through your continued generosity that we can provide grandmothers access to microfinance loans, medical care, clean water, homes for the neediest, and more.  On my recent visit to our grandmother project, I was awestruck by how grateful these ladies are for your support.  Every little bit helps.  Please remember our grandmothers on the 19th this month and give as generously as you can. 

In Celebration of Your Generosity,

Kelly

*On October 19, GlobalGiving.org is matching at 30% all online donations up to $1,000 per donor per project!  There is $100,000 available in matching funds starting at 12:01 am EDT. They will match until 11:59pm EDT or until matching funds run out.  In addition to the 30% match, GlobalGiving is offering a $1,000 bonus to the project that raises the most funds that day and a $1,000 bonus to the project that receives donations from the most individual donors!

Links:

• The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project
• The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project Latest Newsletter
• Founder Twesigye Jackson Kaguri's Memoir

This month I wanted to share with you the power of your gift to a woman who lives near the village I grew up in.  It is only through your generosity and others like you that we can continue to provide hope and care to the elderly in this
world like Mukaaka (grandmother) Dinah. Thank you!

“When my case manager asked me to explain how I felt about my new house, I cried from deep in my soul, as I couldn’t find the words to describe how happy I am today.   Before my new home, whenever it rained in the middle of the night, I would wake up together with my 12 year old grandson and seek shelter in the neighbors' verandah, as my very small poor grass thatched leaking house, had no kitchen or pit latrine.   One time my grandson and I had collected grass to repair the roof, but the young boy was unable to put them on the top of the house and I am too old to climb up.  I asked my neighbors for assistance, but they had too many problems themselves to help me.  However, The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project came to our rescue. I couldn’t believe that I was going to get a real house until I saw a lorry carrying sand, cement, and iron sheets to my little plot of land.  Now I have a permanent house, an indoor kitchen, and a pit latrine. My life has greatly changed and the best part is that my granddaughter who had left home due to poor conditions is back living with me! Thank you Nyaka for saving me and my little family I’m caring for during the sunset years of my life!”  Nyamijumbi Dinah, is a 62 year old of Nyabirehe village in rural southwest Uganda.

Truly we say – the best is yet to come!

Links:

• Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project's New BLOG
• Hear Jackson Read From His Memoir!
• Purchase a Grandmother Basket and Support Grannies in Uganda