The homeless speak- Gugu the 7 year old who discover and slept next to her deceased grandmother

Meet Gugu, a 7 year old that has seen and experienced far worse than the 22 year old that is about to share her story.

The story of Gugu (not her real name) touches my heart and has a special place. One morning Gugu discover her deceased grandmother without realizing, she slept next to her corpse the previous night thinking she was just too tired to move or woke up. This incredible and brave 7 year old woke up next to a body of her grandmother, she tried to greet her and tried to wake her up after many attempts. she decided to get herself ready for school, which was a norm now cause Gogo(grandmother) has been sick for a while and she has been doing things by herself including taking of her Gogo.

Even though her small brain was unable to process what had happen she felt a bit worried about Gogo, so she shared the news with her teacher as soon as she got to school. Gugu's teacher was aware of Gugu's living condition, she knew Gugu shared a 1 room house with her sickly Gogo therefore when she approached her about how Gogo was not responsive that morning she thought of the worst and immediately took to action.

Meanwhile Gugu is at school, the neighbors were wondering why was  Gugu's house so quite, Mavundla a close neighbor said " even though Gugu's Gogo was sick she at least opened the windows and spent sometime outside because the house was freezing cold." Things were strange that day so neighbors decided to go check up on Gugu's Gogo.

By the time Gugu's teacher arrived, the neighbors had the situation under control and took care of every thing  right up to the burial. unfortunately Gugu was homeless, no family member offered to move in with her or take her along. Once again, the neighbors had to intervene and take care of Gugu. The worse part about finding refugee from neighbors is hoping to different neighbor every week because they take turns to look after her until she finds a permanent home.

Gugu's social worker says she is trying her best but it is hard, am not so sure what was so hard about helping a girl child find a safe roof to live under after going through a trauma of losing a mother figure. Gugu is a core example of "black child you are on your own" and she is only 7 years old.