Elderly

In 2002, Vila Maninga started taking in elderly people who were in desperate need of care.

Ambuya Mariana lived in the community since 2003. She was discovered living not far from the project in a dilapatated old hut not even fit for animals, surviving off green leaves. We think now she is over 80 years old which is amazing considering the life expectancy is about 39-45 years of age. She used to be known as Ambuya Ndega Ndega which means "Grandmother all alone" as she lived alone but since being at the project, she announced one day, "I am not Ambuya Ndega Ndega anymore as I live at Vila Maninga so call me Ambuya Mariana!" She loves living at the project because (in her own words) "I eat until I am full and then the next day, there is food for you to eat again! Sometimes I have eaten so much that it hits against the side of my stomach and I can hear it!"When a group of volunteers came from the UK to teach various skills, Melissa (who taught clay pottery to the ladies so they could start up their own pot-making businesses) was amazed at her knowledge of the local clay.

Now we support her and other elderly in their own homes with family through provision of food, clothing, blankets, medical care etc. Many of our existing elderly have died so we now only support 4 eldelry living in the homes at Vila Maninga.