Grandmothers Against Poverty and Aids (GAPA) offers members and grandmothers in need a range of programs dedicated to improving their lives, as well as their communities.
The programs focus on education, awareness, emotional support, physical movement and income generation activities.
GAPA runs a monthly Indaba, whereby newcomers are invited to a gathering to learn more about the happenings of GAPA. Members have a platform to speak about current affairs that are affecting their communities, and are encouraged to share their story. These workshops are facilitated by trained grandmothers who have been through the workshops on previous occasions or by relevant guests.
GAPA runs weekly and monthly workshops that concentrate on teaching members life skills that they can utilize in their everyday existence. The workshops are presented in isiXhosa and concentrate on practical topics such as: human rights, HIV/Aids, cancer awareness (Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Campaign), elderly abuse, will writing, parenting skills, vegetable gardening, healthy ageing, bereavement and business skills. GAPA aims to empower grandmothers to take charge of their lives and circumstances by means of education and raising relevant issues in these workshops.
Support Groups
Emotionally vulnerable grandmothers are recruited by grandmothers who are known as area representatives to join the support groups that they run in their homes once a week. In these groups the grandmothers meet others who have family members who are infected with HIV or who have died from AIDS complications. Through the medium of a handwork activity such as patchwork, grandmothers are made to feel comfortable and supported.
The group leader counsels them and teaches them about HIV/AIDS. Through the peer support grandmothers gradually come to terms with their losses and start to take charge of their lives. These groups are often made up of up to twenty grandmothers. Once grandmothers are emotionally stable they are invited to form cooperative groups more focused on income generation.
Income Generation Activities
Handicraft items made in the groups are often sold within the township where the grandmothers reside. Grandmothers are encouraged to create their own markets and to make items that are wanted by their communities.
GAPA has a store on the grounds of its multipurpose centre. Here beadwork, crochet and knitted items, bags, cushions and other articles made by the grandmothers are displayed and sold.
The income generation project at the GAPA centre is run by Ms Florence Hlangadala. Ms Hlangadala was trained by Sibanye, which is a shop for all of Khayelitsha crafters. She manages the GAPA shop and supervises the manufacturing of goods that have been ordered by customers. GAPA grandmothers have also knitted scarves, crocheted items, and made toys and bags in large numbers for companies.
A vegetable garden at the GAPA centre and nearby school is manned by male members and some females who prefer gardening to handicrafts. The harvest is sold back to the grandmothers at a minimal price. These items are also sold at the GAPA centre.
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