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About GAPA and the Team

Grandmothers Against Poverty and Aids

GAPA was started in Khayelitsha in October 2001 following the implementation phase of a research project funded by Bristol Myers Squibb undertaken by the Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Ageing in Africa at the University of Cape Town.

An occupational therapist organised workshops and support groups for grandmothers who were affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The intervention program was designed to meet the needs articulated by grandmothers who were part of the study. Grandmothers who participated in the pilot project felt that the information and support that they had received was too valuable to end with the completion of the pilot program.

Consequently, they formed a committee with the occupational therapist, Kathleen Brodrick, and made plans to spread the information and support to others.

Today all over South Africa there are grandmothers holding together families affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty. Often these women are the sole breadwinners in a household. They may also be nursing the dying and bringing up orphaned grandchildren on their own.

Research shows that these grandmothers suffer from a lack of information, stigmatization and overriding poverty.

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Meet the GAPA Team

GAPA is managed by a group of staff members, the aftercare team and a committee made up of grandmothers and a board. Committee members are elected annually. The board consists of community members and a diverse group of people committed to the development of grandmothers.
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Our Staff Members

GAPA-team - donovan adonis

Donovan Adonis

Manager
GAPA-team - cheryll richter

Cheryll Richter

Admin and Finance
GAPA-team - buhle maseko-macarthur

Buhle Maseko-MacArthur

Community Occupational Therapist
GAPA-team - florence hlangadala

Florence Hlangadala

Income Generation Coordinator
GAPA-team - gcinikhaya feke

Gcinikhaya Feke

Groundskeeper
GAPA-team - elda sidlabane

Elda Sidlabane

Senior Groups Coordinator
GAPA Team Natalie Adonis

Natalie Adonis

Fundraiser

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Our Aftercare Team

GAPA-aftercare - ntombizodwa femela

Ntombizodwa Femela

Aftercare Teacher
GAPA-aftercare - nobakunjani mabede

Nobakunjani Mabede

Aftercare Teacher
GAPA-aftercare - noxolo nongogo

Noxolo Nongogo

Aftercare Teacher
GAPA-aftercare - thandi ngushelo

Thandi Ngushelo

Aftercare Teacher
GAPA-aftercare - nompumelelo mwanda

Nompumelelo Mwanda

Aftercare Teacher
GAPA-aftercare - nomfusi mermani

Nomfusi Memani

Aftercare Cook
GAPA-aftercare - nosibongiseni tsusane

Nosibongiseni Tsusane

Aftercare Cook
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GAPA Board Members

Click a photo to read a short bio
Self-help Groups

GAPA Management Committee

GAPA-management - beatrice ntshangase

Beatrice Ntshangase

Chairperson
GAPA-management - nowandile ngcawe

Nowandile Ngcawe

Deputy Chairperson
GAPA-management - eleanor plaatjie

Eleanor Plaatjie

Secretary
GAPA-management - gloria bushula

Gloria Bushula

Deputy Secretary
GAPA-management - siziwe mwanda

Siziwe Mwanda

Treasurer
GAPA-management - nonceba makhubalo

Nonceba Makhubalo

Committee Member
GAPA-management - zolile ngquokmashe

Zolile Ngqokomashe

Committee Member

We can't help everyone,
but everyone can help someone



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