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Evan introduced our speaker Terry from Omas Siskana (KW branch) This is part of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, started to help children in Africa orphaned by HIV. So grandmothers or other older relatives are left to raise the kids. Giving $ help to these caregivers is what this organization is about.There are 250 grandmother groups here and they have raised $25 million. Terri spoke of her visits to Africa to meet with those being helped by Omas Siskana. Firstly a project in Ethiopia, dry hill country, people needing basic things like food, housing, education ( especially for women), HIV education, job and basic banking skills etc. Visiting women were embarrassed by the big welcome and all the thankyous. The women go through a one year programme which is hardly sufficient. Then on to South Africa, first a green hilly area near Durban. It has the highest rate of HIV. There is a huge related stigma to the illness so Omas Siskanas paid for counsellors. Then they visited Umlazi, in one of the townships of South Africa. There they supported basic needs like clean water, propane, and after-school programme with meals and a sewing school. They make wonderful crafts. Terry was thanked by our very own Ben Jeffries. ( I'm off to the cottage, see you in September, T.S.) |
