Emotionally vulnerable grandmothers are recruited by grandmothers who are known as area representatives to join the support groups that they run in their homes once a week. In these groups the grandmothers meet others who have family members who are infected with HIV or who have died from AIDS complications. Through the medium of a handwork activity such as patchwork, grandmothers are made to feel comfortable and supported. The group leader counsels them and teaches them about HIV/AIDS. Through the peer support grandmothers gradually come to terms with their losses and start to take charge of their lives. These groups consist of a maximum of ten grandmothers. A small donation is made by GAPA to the leader of the group for each meeting that she has in her home.
