I am a last wicket but need some more Runs - A Granny

[Abraham Mutluri]

Dear Forum,

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in India is making the children and aged more vulnerable with middle generation succumbing to AIDS. Hence this has a long-term impact on national and state economic scenario. The current challenge for the nation is “Orphaning” of the children where the 55% grannies are taking care of them. The emotional bond between the grannies and grand children is making them mutually dependent and supportive.

Herewith i am adding the few of the voices of Grannies which i heard in the field

I am 75 years old and my wife is 65years. My son and daughter in law died with AIDS. He has 3 children which are not ready to do the work. What I have to do for survive in the world. I am not healthy and I need medicine.

“I am too old to take care of my grand daughter, but I do not want to leave her in an orphanage.” A withered grandfather

I am a 76 years old. My daughter and son in law died with AIDS. They have the 12 years child. Due to stigma and discrimination nobody is ready to come to my house. Now my grand child was matured. How I have to provide the reproductive care to her.

I am 70 years old. My daughter and son in law die with AIDS. They have two children, 10 and 12 years old. The elder boy is under peer pressure and he does not care my words. I may not run with him to teach the good. He goes to work and did not give the money to me and goes to movies, sweaing gutkas and drugs and he acting as a mediator between the lovers. The Younger boy is living with HIV. He has the more Opportunistic Infections. How I have to provide the care to them.

I am 68 years old. I have two sons both are died with AIDS. Nobody is coming to my house. No one is ready to talk with me.

This is one of the issues in HIV/AIDS sector. Nearly 55% of the AIDS Orphans are living with the grannies only. they need care, support and treatment.

Dear Forum just think it once, this is the age for grannies to stay with their son are daughter's house with the sufficient food and facilities but now they are playing the game for get the more runs to win in the life

With Regards

Abraham Mutluri
Andhra Pradesh

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Hi Abraham,

Great story with an eye-catching title. In Assam, ANP+ is running a project which focuses on Mothers Groups including grannies. As Rebeka suggests, an open discussion between the older and younger generation can help us address several concerns.

Did you apply ACP components after the Mumbai event in July?

Regards,

Rituu

[Abraham Mutluri]

Dear Rebeka

Good Evening

Thank you very much for your positive reply. All our ACP team make them to play a good players.

With Regards

Abraham M

[rebeka sultana]

Hi Abraham,

Thank you for sharing this with us. The grannies are doing so much! They might be the last wicket but they might play six with every ball. ACP can facilitate seeing the strengths to go along with the last balls. Bringing open discussion among the olders and newer ones, the adolescents and the community. This is an opportunity to get all sixex.

Best,
rebeka