Paper long abstract:

This paper examines how Warufiji elderly treat their grandchildren as very important resources to strengthen resilience and mitigate vulnerability. This is mainly manifested in care relations of those elderly whose children have moved to towns. This perspective negates previous studies that have seen intergenerational relationships through negative lenses particularly in the era of HIV/AIDS. The paper draws the cultural, social and economic relationships that exist between the elderly and the grandchildren and how this shapes care. In other words it tries to see the grandchildren-grandparent's relations through a positive lens where elderly negotiate values and norms that shape their resilience when they become vulnerable. The study takes place in Rufiji district, Tanzania.