Swazi grandmothers or “gogos” are unsung heroes who are largely responsible for raising the children who have been orphaned by AIDS. These tireless matriarchs are holding together the social fabric of their communities because the middle generation has been virtually wiped out by the AIDS epidemic.

​

We provide support to the gogos in Swaziland, some of whom look after as many as 10 to 15 grandchildren who have been orphaned by AIDS. Many are suffering, either from illness or simply the toll taken by a long and hard life, and living in poverty. Yet they carry on, taking care of their grandchildren when there is no one else to do so, even as they grieve over the loss of their own children.

​

Through the Hampton-Piggs Peak Partnership, we have established a relationship between the grandmothers of Piggs Peak and Hampton that is mutually supportive and fosters the concept that we are one global community. Our regular fundraising women’s dinner, “Women Helping Women”, is an expression of sisterhood that spans the thousands of kilometers between our communities.

​

More than anything, the gogos want a better future for their grandchildren. A future that, in all likelihood, can only be attained with an education By covering the children’s school fees, not only do they receive an education, but it also alleviates the stress of paying the fees and enables the gogos to use funds for other things, like food and clothing.

​

One of our students, Ncedo, who lives with his gogo, writes, “in April 2015 my father passed away and he was the only of my parents employed. Around Jan 2017 the schools were about to open and no one was going to pay for me at high school in Fundukuwela. My granny was stressed that I’m going to be at home because of no money to pay my fees. I heard about the Hampton sponsorship that paid for fees... and I got the sponsorship. … From that day granny was stress free and life was better. From that year the word “Hampton” meant my future.”