Elizabeth Wanjiku - Success Story

Elizabeth Wanjiku is one of thousands of grandmothers in Kenya facing the HIV/AIDS pandemic hands on. Her two sons have died of AIDS, and she is raising her six grandchildren by herself.

She is a member of the Tumaini group of grandmothers, who have started up a rock quarrying business. The group has enabled her to start small projects to earn money, and now she is able to feed and educate her children.

CHF and its local partner WEMIHS are supporting this remarkable group of women. As part of CHF’s project, the group has received a loan, which they have invested in tools and used to hire workers for their rock quarry.

Aside from the quarry business, each granny runs her own little business to raise money in the short term. Among other things, the Grannies raise chickens, sell tea-bags, grow cabbages, make handbags and grow bananas. Each of them saves 100 shillings per week (about $1.50), which is pooled among the group and given to one granny each week, so she can make a bigger investment in something important to her family.

CHF’s support is empowering these women and brings new hope for a better future for their grandchildren — free from the burden of HIV/AIDS.