Lorenzia Mugarisi’s Story

Lorenzia Mugarisi lives in Zimbabwe; she is a grandmother whose son and his wife both died of Aids.

In her own words
 “I had three children but only two are left. My son died last year leaving behind his children Jane (ten) and Christopher (eight), both of whom I am now minding.

Their mother died the year before my son died. Both of them died of Aids.

Before Concern arrived we were forced to live on a diet of Mashamba (local melon).

By the end of last year the situation became very serious. I used to give the children tea with sugar so as to give them energy, but even with this they became very wasted.

“If Concern had not arrived the children would be dead, I’m sure I would be dead, also.

After we received the food from Concern we all gained weight. I am so thankful for what Concern has done for us. This work is saving lives, but I am worried about next year.

It will be very hard to get seed, hopefully, Concern will provide it for us. I don’t think the food shortages brought on the death of my son and his wife.

His wife became very sick after having an accident. My son was sick for six months and then died.

“It was very hard for me when I was looking after my son because many people in the village isolated me when I was caring for him as he was dying.

I have also had many problems getting registration for my grandson Christopher, as we cannot locate his birth certificate.

“Aids is really destroying this community. Out of 30 families in my village, more than 20 have lost one or more people to Aids.

There are so many children left behind. Many of them cannot go to school and so many have become hungry.”

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