Destination Africa: Granny groups...Gogo Olympics

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27

The Zulu word for grandmother is "gogo." Gogos have been left to raise their grandchildren after their own children have died from HIV/AIDS. In addition to the struggles of raising their grandchildren, they are burdened with financial issues, abuse, violence, chronic illnesses and the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS.

In an effort to help the gogos deal with these burdens, Cwengi Myeni, a gogo herself, along with a few other amazing women, started Granny Support groups. These groups help the gogos to feel alive again, to pull them out of depression, to get them off the couch. They also help the gogos with finances, promote healthy living, give them a sense of dignity and to develop spiritually.

In their meetings they pray together and share scripture helping the gogos to build personal relationships with God. They learn that no matter how hard life has been, that God loves them. The gogos share their hardships with each other, inturn learning from each other, encouraging each other and they learn valuable skills to help them deal with life. Many of the gogos are unemployed and the only source of income is from government grants which are stretched to help them take care of large families. The granny support groups teach them gardening skills to help them fed their families and to generate income. They also learn sewing, beading and knitting. To promote physical health, they are encouraged to walk and do simple exercises. During the meetings they sing and dance.

The granny groups are scattered throughout the Valley of 1000 Hills. In 2008 there were 4 groups and in 2011, 28 groups with over 1000 gogos. Today the groups include grandfathers and younger women.

This leads me to today. I had the most amazing day at the Gogo Olympics. I am at a loss for words at how awesome this event was. I came away with feeling inspired and encouraged. The granny groups come together once a year for the Gogo Olympics, which was organized by Cwengi Myeni from South Africa and Caroline Nixon from Canada. This is the second year and I am so blessed to be able to attend today. The groups gather together and participate in soccer, netball, jump rope and a few other activities. In the March 2011 Gogo Olympics there were 22 groups with 300 gogos that participated. Today, there were 27 groups with about 1000 gogos. The gogos range in age from 35 - 84. WOW!!!! It was amazing looking at the gogos, so full of life, playing soccer and netball, singing and dancing like they were still teenagers.

It appears that there are no limits to what these gogos can do. What a blessing it was to be there and to just be a part of something so wonderful. My colleagues Ginger and Zeal were there as well. We had a group of 15 gogos from Ntshongweni who came to observe. Ginger will be working with them to get them ready for Gogo Olympics 2013.

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24