swaziland - A Tribute to Grandmothers

We need to honor grandmothers. If you have one, today would be a great day to do that. They often carry more on their shoulders than we will ever know. In Swaziland, they are carrying the whole country. Tara Stephenson shows us their soul and her photography talent in the following blog:

Swaziland:a tiny round dot in Africa located west of Mozambique and north of South Africa. This country has the highest rate of the infection of HIV in the world. Life expectancy: 31. The country consists mostly of grandmothers (nickname Go Go's)

and thousands of orphans. The land is green and mountainous. The people are starving, unemployed and sick........yet despite the scenario most would label "hopeless," they have overwhelming amounts of JOY. The Go Go's life stories are filled with tears and strength. The orphans dance and consistently giggle.

The Go Go's take care of the orphans. They cook, work in the fields, and try to provide a means for the kids school fees. In most cases, the whole household is in survival mode.

These are some pictures I took of the Go Go's as a tribute to not only their strong hearts but the hope that radiates through them. I was able to visit many at their homes and I found beauty among their despair. I found the survivors of the countries greatest loss-people. They have an anchor or hope.