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grandmothers campaign

The Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign has become an extraordinary expression of grassroots activism: thousands of women have become engaged by word of mouth, by watching films, by reading the report of the Grandmothers' Gathering. And it’s all in aid of three deceptively simple campaign goals: to raise awareness, build solidarity and mobilize support for Africa’s grandmothers.

When the Foundation launched the campaign in March 2006, there were just a handful of grandmothers’ groups across Canada. Today, there are more than 150 grandmothers’ groups in Canada (and beyond) supporting the campaign!

Together, Canadian grandmothers have raised more than $1 million, which has enabled the Foundation to increase funding to grandmothers in 14 sub-Saharan African countries. Support for grandmothers includes: food, school fees, uniforms and supplies, income-generating projects (communal gardens, crafts, raising small animals), workshops, counselling, coffins and dignified burials for their loved ones.

At the close of the Gathering last August, the 300 African and Canadian grandmothers issued a statement to the world, expressing their solidarity, commitment and strength. In the last line of the Toronto Statement, as it has come to be known, they issued a stirring call to action: “May this be the dawn of the grandmothers’ movement.” This call has been heeded and the movement grows stronger each day.

In May 2007, nine African grandmothers and two project coordinators visited cities across the country to connect with their Canadian counterparts and discuss the situation of children orphaned by AIDS. Their journey began in Toronto, where they attended the premiere of SLF’s new documentary film, A Generation of Orphans.

The grandmothers’ presence at the premiere added deeper and wider context to the situation of millions of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. The grannies spoke eloquently and openly about the challenges of raising traumatized children and teenagers, often in extremely impoverished conditions.

The African grannies were also here to continue the dialogue and strengthen relationships with Canadian granny groups – in Calgary, Saskatoon, Ottawa and Halifax – which have been unstoppable in their enthusiasm, energy and generosity. The welcome the African grannies received was incredibly warm, the hospitality more than gracious and the list of activities impressive. Throughout the visit, the African grannies attended potlucks, concerts, and film screenings, participated in First Nations ceremonies, spoke to students, attended fundraisers and spoke at church services. The visit provided an opportunity for the grandmothers to build on the body of knowledge from the Grandmothers’ Gathering and to add momentum to the movement.

Grandmothers to Grandmothers:
The Dawn of a New Movement
is a 94-page document that captures discussions from the Grandmothers’ Gathering held in August 2006. An 80-minute DVD with footage of workshops and testimonies from the Grandmothers’ Gathering is also available. The complete report is available online or can be ordered at no charge by contacting: info@stephenlewisfoundation.org.

grannies take action

At the Grandmothers’ Gathering, Canadians expressed their commitment to act as ambassadors and mobilize support for their African sisters:

We are dedicated to finding ways to make it clear that Africa’s grandmothers hold a place in our hearts and in our thoughts, not just today, but each day… We will not rest until they can rest."

Here are just a few of their initiatives:

The gymnasium at Appleby College was filled to capacity when 1400 people bought tickets to listen to a speech by Stephen Lewis. Organized by the oomamas of Oakville, Niagara and Grimsby, Ontario, the event raised an incredible $100,000 for grandmothers in Africa!

The Kamloops, BC CanGo Grannies have created a 'Great Canadian Quilt,' with the signatures of famous Canadians, to be publicly displayed nation-wide and auctioned off, with the proceeds going to support grandmothers through SLF.

In October 2007, Gisele Lalonde Mansfield and several other grandmothers will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, with the proceeds going to the Grandmothers Campaign. They have raised more than $35,000 toward their goal! www.gigiclimbskili.com.

A new ad-hoc Grandmothers Network National Steering Committee was recently formed to provide guidance and coordination on key advocacy efforts for granny groups across Canada. The Committee will include representatives from regional clusters of granny groups from across Canada. For more info, contact Kathleen at kathleen@wallace-deering.com

On September 8, 2007, grandmothers and friends will participate in the Grandparents Solidarity March for Grandparents' Day. Using the Toronto Statement as a call to action, granny groups across Canada will march to give visibility and support to HIV/AIDS in Africa. Elizabeth Mataka, UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, has confirmed that she will be at the march on Parliament Hill. Contact Sharon at sharons@superaje.com for more.

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