EVERY day on my television show I meet people with stories to tell. But this time I would like to tell about a grandmother, having to care for children orphaned by AIDS.
She is Miriam Mbwana, from Malawi. Miriam recently nursed her eldest daughter, Mary, through a final painful illness having already lost five other sons and daughters to the virus. She now looks after 28 orphaned grandchildren.
ActionAid's fundraising week is now taking place and Miriam is one of the reasons why the charity is spotlighting HIV/AIDS and in particular the plight of grandparents. They are shouldering the burden of looking after many of Africa's 11 million AIDS orphans.
As a grandma, I find it easy to sympathise with Miriam who after working all her life has become a mother again. But this time she has no husband, no income except for a tiny pension and few adult relatives left to help her.
I am appealing to your readers to give generously if a friend or neighbour comes knocking at the door. To find out more phone the charity on 01460 238000.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD, for ActionAid, Macdonald Road, Archway, London N19. EVERY day on my television show I meet people with stories to tell. But this time I would like to tell about a grandmother, having to care for children orphaned by AIDS.
She is Miriam Mbwana, from Malawi. Miriam recently nursed her eldest daugher, Mary, through a final painful illness having already lost five other sons and daughters to the virus. She now looks after 28 orphaned grandchildren.
ActionAid's fundraising week is now taking place and Miriam is one of the reasons why the charity is slotlighting HIV/AIDS and in particular the plight of grandparents. They are shouldering the burden of looking after many of Africa's 11 million AIDS orphans.
As a grandma, I find it easy to sympathise with Miriam who after working all her life has become a mother again. But this time she has no husband, no income except for a tiny pension and few adult relatives left to help her.
I am appealing to your readers to give generously if a friend or neighbour comes knocking at the door. To find out more phone the charity on 01460 238000.
GLORIA HUNNIFORD, for ActionAid, Macdonald Road, Archway, London N19.
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