Guests at our Rotary meeting of January 16 were Linda Hibbert and Dana Bachman from Grannies for Grannies. (The Grandmothers Mothers Campaign through the Stephen Lewis Foundation)
The Stephen Lewis Foundation was formed in 2003 then Grannies for Grannies in 2006 in response to the AIDS epidemic in Africa with grandmothers left to care for their orphaned grandchildren. Since 2006, more than 36 million dollars has been raised by grandmothers around the world, from Canada, US, Australia and UK. Money raised is directed towards the provision of food, educational supplies, uniforms and school fees, medical care, HIV counselling and testing, adequate housing and bedding, counselling and support groups, home visits, and much more.
African grandmothers are central to the life of their communities. With almost no support, they have stepped forward to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS, sometimes as many as ten to fifteen in one household. They display astonishing reserves of love, courage and emotional resilience, even while grieving the loss of their own adult children
The Fenelon Club holds events throughout the year in an effort to raise money which is then given back to the Steven Lewis Foundation to use towards the improvement of women’s lives in sub Saharan Africa. Money is directed towards community based programs operated by Grannies in Africa.
With 14 core members in Fenelon Falls, they continue to build relationships with community partners to assist with fundraising. At present they have two major fundraisers, a musical evening at St. James Anglican Church. Mark your calendars. April 4 2020 is the date for this event. In October they have a Dessert Buffet with speaker. This past summer, the club held their first Art in The Park exhibit in conjunction with Maryboro Museum staff raising awareness of the Grandmothers Campaign. Garage sales over the year also contribute towards the Grannies for Grannies Program.
