Swaziland: Help on the Way for Elderly Swazis Raising AIDS Survivors

Elderly Swazis who find themselves raising grandchildren orphaned by AIDS will soon receive financial help under a new government plan. About $5 million will be set aside for the program, which is the nation's first-ever aimed expressly at the elderly.

"Elders are revered in our culture," said Deputy Prime Minister Albert Shabangu. "We must see to their needs because our older citizens are facing a situation they never expected. At this time in their lives, they had believed they could relax after a life of hard work. Instead, many grandparents have to raise young children all over again. This is after their own children have died of AIDS," said Shabangu.

Shabangu noted that the elderly caring for AIDS orphans often have little money or resources to devote to parenting. They may not be in good health, and without aid from their deceased children, they struggle to support themselves and clothe and educate their grandchildren.

"We have lost track of the elderly in our country, because all our attention has been focused on sexually active age groups with AIDS, and their infected or orphaned children," said social worker Thandi Gama.

Also filling the gap are nongovernmental organizations, like Swazis for Positive Living (SWAPOL). Founded by five HIV-positive women, SWAPOL uses profits from its agricultural cooperative to help AIDS orphans and the elderly who care for them.

Back to other news for April 18, 2005