Sixty-five year old Anna Amuge wants to give her young orphaned granddaughters a rich and happy life, but it has been difficult. When Juliet and Merab’s mother died in 1999, she was Anna’s third child to die in the space of three years. A year after that, Anna’s husband died as well, along with the children’s father. Struggling with grief, Anna was left to care for two bewildered little girls, along with the two other grandchildren she was already raising. And yet, she never gives up.

Anna collects firewood to sell when she can, and digs in neighbors’ gardens for a fee in order to provide meager food for her grandchildren and herself.

“When I lost my daughter, I knew these small girls were headed for disaster. Life is not yet that good and rosy but at least I have given them hope to live, and love to enrich their social and spiritual lives.”

And nine year old Juliet would agree. “We love our grandma, she takes care of us, and we shall always live to thank her. That is why I want to become a nurse in the future so that I can treat her.” Juliet has never been outside the rural village of Serere. Seven year old Merab Ariokot is Juliet’s younger sister. Merab is a shy little girl with dark, sparkling eyes. She takes the time to choose her words carefully and only slowly warms to strangers.

Merab wants to become a teacher when she grows up, because “they know everything in the world.” “Our teacher tells us everything, she is teacher Mary. She is good to us and she teaches new songs and tells us to read hard so that we also can wear good clothes like her.”

Anna came several times early in the morning to ask for help for her young granddaughters from Village2Village staff. She was especially concerned for their education. “Most days I can feed these children, but my problem is their school requirements. I am praying that some good person will come alongside me and help.”

Thanks to Village2Village sponsors, Grandma Anna’s prayers have been answered. Juliet and Merab have received educational supplies, clothing, food, school uniforms, hot nutritious meals, academic tutoring, soap, medical checkups, case supervision and the knowledge that even though they have had more than their share of tragedy in life, there is Hope.