Non-profit GoGOGOgo is giving gogos a break from raising grandchildren while putting them first for a change with various programmes from boxing classes to skills workshops!
South Africa (24 May 2024) — Many gogos in South Africa are used to putting everyone else in the family ahead of themselves. But, non-profit goGOGOgo is slowly but surely putting the gogos first for a change, and they’re doing so in the most fantastic ways.
In South Africa where many children are in the care of third-generation caregivers (gogos), the need to empower these women in as many realms of their lives as possible is both great and necessary.
GoGOGOgo is doing this in several ways, and making South Africa a better place, one gogo at a time.
There’s the GOGObox programme—special boxing classes designed to encourage and support regular physical activity among the elderly, backed by extensive research highlighting the crucial role exercise plays in mental and physical health.
The budding boxers travel from Itlhokomeleng to the gym, where 20 people form a class at a time.
“The programme was aimed at giving back, to give the gogos something for themselves. They dedicate so much time to raising grandchildren and they need to be celebrated recognised for their role in keeping families and communities together,” founder and executive director of goGOGOgo, Jane Simmonds shares.
There’s also iGOGO, a programme that equips gogos with essential online technology often imperative for economic empowerment and opportunities. This programme goes hand in hand with GOGOnars, where just under 100 gogos jump on Zoom to access important mental and health education resources and skills development.
Not to mention BeastHealth4GOGOs (awareness around breast cancer), GOGOvision (which helps them access vision testing and glasses) and Income4GOGOS—an income-generation initiative!
In each of these programmes, an area gogos have either not had the time or resources to access is put in front of them, conveniently and kindly.
While much of South Africa’s socio-economic concerns revolve around our young people, a massive, missing piece of the focus surrounds the women who are raising them. When a gogo is empowered, she is, in turn, empowering her family.
You can keep up with goGOGOgo here!
Sources: Supplied—goGOGOgo
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