dear friends:

It's been more than two years now since the Stephen Lewis Foundation was launched, and during that time, the pandemic in Africa has moved from absolute despaire to glimpses of hope.

The glimpses are not many, but they are significant: a paediatric formulation for children; the slightly increased resources; the accelerated scientific search for a microbicide which will allow women to protect themselves from infection.

But on the ground, where it counts, the carnage, especially among women and children continues apace. And for all the grand rhetoric that we sometimes hear, the struggle for survival is still desperate, heart-breaking and never-ending.

That’s where the Foundation comes in and plays its decisive role. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to achieve right at the grassroots, in partnership with scores of communities in Africa, as we promised to do at the outset. And I continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of Canadians...no, it’s more than generosity: it’s the extraordinary depth of caring and commitment.

So let me use this newsletter to express the most intense appreciation, and convey an additional note of thanks, to all of those who have worked so hard at so many novel and inspired events, to raise money for the Foundation.

I don't pretend that we’re making more than a tiny dent in the vast swath of human suffering. But if that dent keeps some communities and families alive, however limited in number, all of it is worth the doing.

Thank you for making it possible.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Lewis

From the Grassroots
...of Canada
All across the country Canadians have undertaken projects large and small... [more]
...of Africa
Here are three examples of projects that continue to inspire us... [more]
Look at Your Reach
The Stephen Lewis Foundation currently funds over 60 initiatives with 35 organizations in 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa [more] (pdf download)
Voices From the Front Lines
Jenny Parsley in South Africa and Siphiwe Hlope from Swaziland share their experiences [more]
The Year in Review
[more]
You Asked Us
Whatever happened to the Canadian generic drugs legislation? [more]
Why does there need to be such a strong focus on women? [more]
Where did the money come from and how is it being spent? [more]
If you can give more
We've been humbled by the response of Canadians to the Foundation... [more]

please email us to receive future
e-newsletters

Our Grassroots newsletters are available as pdf downloads:
December 2006 (1.5mb)
July 2005 (1.1mb)