Six orphans from the Muroemba family walk the long distance (approximately 7km) through the bush from their school to the home of their grandfather where they live, near the village of Rupisse. Their grandfather is responsible for a total of 11 orphans, the children of his two daughters who had died from AIDS-related infections.

“I do what I can to help my brothers and sisters, and because I am the oldest I must sometimes be like a mother to them. They might be crying just because we do not have enough food to eat and maybe we do not have soap, and I have to console them.

“I go to school and I am doing the standard six class. My favourite subject is Portuguese. Every day we walk together through the bush. It is a long way and I arrive at school very tired. My dream is to finish school so that I can get work and help the others. I would like to see all my brothers able to get jobs and look after themselves,” Tsitsi Muroemba, age 13.

“In my life, I have had eight children and five have died. It was very difficult for the children when their parents passed away, because they did not know what the future held for them. Now that they are living with me, they have forgotten the past and always think of me as the person in charge. At first they really cried. To comfort them I would tell them when people die they never come back again so the only thing you can do is forget the past. If we stay together and work together the crying period will shorten.

“It was also hard for me when they died because I am the one who gave birth to them. I was questioning myself. What was happening in my life? Why am I the one who God has chosen for such problems? But I decided I am the only one who can be looking after their children so I must be strong. It is a big responsibility, but I have no choice. Now I am used to it and I no longer think about these questions,” Peter Muroemba, age 57.

Rupisse, Mozambique