This Sunday, July 26, 2026, is the sixth annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. To honour this day, Pope Leo XIV announced the theme: “I will not forget you” (Isaiah 49:15), an important and beautiful sentiment for grandparents and the elderly worldwide, especially for the countless individuals who live alone or feel forgotten.
This special day also marks the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents to Jesus and parents to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Pope’s beautiful message reminds us that “God’s love for every person never fails, not even in the frailty of old age.”
Throughout our Chalice sites, this day not only highlights both the connectedness we see within so many of our multi-generational families but also the many elderly who find themselves alone and in need.
A Grandparent’s Love
As many of our sponsored children and youth will tell you, the love of a grandparent is special. It’s a love that follows you for a lifetime, even long after that special person has passed on.
This love is wise and unconditional and wraps you in an indescribable comfort, a supportive “safe space” children, teens, and young adults can rely on. This unique bond can foster self-esteem and emotional well-being when it’s most needed.
Grandparents and the elderly can also provide grounded advice, a sense of family traditions, and deep moral foundations that give younger generations a priceless sense of belonging. All we have to do is take the time to listen to them and return the love they so generously offer.
Two Determined Grandmothers
Two very special grandmothers, Amina and Shuku, from our Kenya site, perfectly show the tremendous love and impact grandparents can have on children. Amran, now 20 and Faria, 23, were both raised by their grandmothers, despite the extreme poverty they faced.
These incredibly strong and caring grandmothers were determined to change their granddaughters lives so they didn’t have to continue the cycle of poverty and gender discrimination with their future children.
Knowing education was key to breaking this cycle, the grandmothers both registered the girls at nearby public primary schools. Here, they were introduced to the Chalice Sponsorship Program and received the educational support needed to ensure they could finish school and achieve their dreams.
Inspirational Role Models
Growing up, watching her grandmother cook, sparked a deep passion in Amran that led her to graduate college with a diploma in the hospitality industry. Armed with skills, experience, and new recipes, she is determined to open her own restaurant one day.
Faria, motivated by her grandmother, overcame cultural norms to finish high school and is now pursuing a college course that will help her achieve her dream of becoming a barista.
Lives Transformed
Without their grandmothers’ iron will and sheer determination to improve their granddaughters’ lives, Amran and Faria would not have had the opportunity to see their dreams become reality.
Through the kindness of Chalice sponsors and donors, all four of these beautiful lives were transformed. Not only have Amina and Shuku seen their granddaughters break the cycle of poverty and discrimination, but Amran and Faria will never forget the love and bond they have with their grandmothers.
This World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly help Pope Leo XIV spread his wonderful message and never forget the many grandparents and elderly in need. Sponsoring a vulnerable elder can make a world of difference in their lives.