In the western Ugandan district of Kanungu, where HIV and poverty have left countless children without parents, a community of grandmothers is providing hope and care, one child at a time.
The Nyaka Grandmothers Program has trained and empowered more than 20,000 grandmothers to raise and care for over 80,000 orphaned and vulnerable children. What began as a small initiative 20 years ago has grown into a life-changing, community-driven effort that now impacts thousands of families.
The program was founded by Twesigye Jackson Kaguri, who initially visited homes in the community near Nyaka Primary School, asking women to help house children during the school week. The goal was to make education more accessible to children by allowing them to live close to school.
“We saw higher participation and better attendance,” Kaguri said. “But we also realized we needed to do more for the women who were volunteering, housing the children without pay.”
The program evolved to offer support for the grandmothers, who are now a cornerstone of the initiative.
Kyarikunda Georgina, 60, is one of the grandmothers who has taken on this role. After her husband passed away in 2005, she found herself alone. Her only child had moved away, and she remarried. Rather than live in isolation, she chose to care for children in need. Today, she is raising eight children.
“Supporting children isn’t about having a lot of money. It’s about giving what you can,” Kyarikunda said. “I’ve inspired others to help children in need, even when they don’t have much themselves.”
Kyarikunda is a role model to many in her community. Her work has motivated other grandmothers to take on similar responsibilities, and she remains a pillar of support for those in need.
Research shows that more than 80 million children across Africa lack access to proper shelter, but for the children in the care of these grandmothers, life is different.
Amanya Jordan, 15, lives with Kyarikunda. His understanding of family has changed, as he now sees home as a place where there is love and safety.
“I feel good living with my grandmother. She provides what we need. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor,” Amanya said.
Asiimwe Prima, also raised by her grandmother, is optimistic about her future despite the hardships she has faced.
“I was in primary four and have now been promoted to primary five. I thank my grandmother for everything she provides, including school fees,” she said. “When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.”
On a recent day, Kyarikunda hosted five other grandmothers who care for foster children. The women regularly meet to share ideas and support each other. Many of them have lost their own children to HIV, but they have found new purpose in raising the next generation.
The Nyaka Grandmothers Program offers a holistic approach to rebuilding families, combining educational support with economic empowerment. The recruitment process focuses on candidates who exemplify resilience, care, and strong community values.
“We want our grandmothers to be role models,” said Denesi Niwarinda, the program coordinator. “They should set an example for others, especially the children they are raising. We don’t encourage smoking, drinking, or bad habits.”
As the program expands into other districts, these grandmothers are not only rebuilding their own lives, but also shaping the future of Uganda’s next generation. They are more than caregivers — they are heroes.