Eleven-year-old Emmanuel Ngwenya dropped out of primary school
two years ago following the death of his parents. Since being
orphaned, Emmanuel has had to switch roles with his 77-year-old
grandmother. Instead of being looked after himself, he takes
care of his grandmother who is almost blind and, due to old age
and ill health, can barely walk. Emmanuel has been forced to
grow up before his time. AIDS stole his parents, his childhood
and his extended family. Now he must also battle the drought
currently ravaging his home district of Nkayi in Zimbabwe.
Despite his hunger, Emmanuel fights to cook and look after his
grandmother each day. For the last two years he has taken care
of a neighbour’s cattle. In return, the neighbour has promised
to plough his grandmother’s fields. “At least if we harvest
something in our own field we won’t be faced with hunger,” says
Emmanuel. “I will sell extra buckets of food and go back to
school because I have always wanted to be a policeman when I
complete my studies.” Emmanuel e