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CanGo Grannies & GoGo Grannies |
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When Stephen Lewis came to Cariboo College in the winter of 2004 to give a talk about the AIDS pandemic in Africa, his speech touched the hearts of many in the audience. He told them, 'Women die alone, watched by their children'
Stephen's talk, and his website www. stephenlewisfoundation.org gave them a stark picture of the desperate situation faced today by millions of innocent victims. Stephen went on to say, "Broader support from Canadian communities will make a difference. You can make a contribution to the human condition which in unparalleled."
Hard as it is for Canadians to believe, there are now over 14 million orphans under the age of 15 in Sub-Saharan Africa, and this number will only increase. Those who are fortunate enough to have any family members still living, are left in the care of grandmothers who had no thought of becoming the heads of young households at their age. They are the lucky ones. Some orphans have no family members left at all and the oldest child, as young as ten, will become the head of the household.
When Stephen challenged his audience to 'do something' about this, a group of Kamloops women responded with enthusiasm.
As Sandra Abraham said, "We felt particularly drawn to the plight of the grandmothers who are carrying the burden of raising the orphaned children."
They met to form the CanGo Grannies, meeting once a month at the house of a member. They looked for a particular way to focus their energy and chose to support one project in one city. They pledged to support the GoGo Grannies working with AIDS orphans in Johannesburg. This group of Kamloops grannies, mothers, aunts and sisters, set about to raise funds for the 30 African grandmothers working at the orphanage on the outskirts of Johannesburg, who are presently caring for over 800 orphaned children.
The funds raised go to purchase seeds and fertilizers for the gardens, building materials, basic health care, and vital mental health programs for children and grandmothers alike.
They participated in the annual AIDS walk and sold cookbooks ('More Easy Beans' was written by one of the CanGo grannies). They are now marketing special 'work-of-art' T-shirts, which have been designed by another granny, a well-known Kamloops artist. To help spread their story they now take every opportunity to speak to community groups about their project. Since August of 2004 the CanGo Grannies in Kamloops have raised over $8,000 and more fund raising plans are underway.
In addition to working on expanding their Kamloops 'pod' this dedicated group would like to help establish CanGo Grannies in other communities throughout the Thompson/Okanagan. A new 'pod' has just started in Creston with seven members!
Upcoming events include the sale of market bags, note cards, and art posters for children's rooms. The CanGos would welcome the opportunity to tell their story and sell their items at events in other parts of our region.
For more information, to donate, or to get help with starting another granny 'pod' you may contact:
Sandra Abraham
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or Mary Jordan
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If you do not have access to email, you may phone or fax the Seniors Choice, and we will pass your request on to Sandra and Mary. |
