Gogolympics offers respite for gogos

The Gogolympics grows each year, and this year is no exception as 2 000 people are expected to be in attendance on the day, including 100 competing grannies.

The day of friendly sporting competition is part of the Hillcrest Aids Community Trust’s Granny Group Project, which facilitates 43 granny support groups with 2 000 grandmothers across seven different communities.

The event takes place on Friday, 13 March at the KwaNyuswa Sports Ground, and includes the teams of gogos competing in soccer, netball, skipping, pass-the-ball, juskei and the duck walk.

Four grannies from America will also join in the festivities, and the Gogolympics committee includes volunteers from Australia, the UK and Botswana, making this a local event with an international flair.

The granny groups meet regularly to aid and encourage each other in their plight as care-givers for grandchildren orphaned by HIV/Aids, as well as other issues confronting the community. The groups engage in stress alleviation, skills development and income-generating activities including sewing training, vegetable gardening, chicken and egg projects, home-baking projects, block-building projects, literacy training and first aid training.

Donations of food, drinks, prizes for the winners and sports equipment are greatly welcomed. To be part of this exciting day contact the centre’s fundraising and marketing coordinator, Lloyd Mackenzie, at marketing@hillaids.org.za or 031 765 5866.