January 2015 – Issue

In this issue you will read:

Don’t forget!

Response to the Orphan Crisis: Community Care

“We won’t rest until they can”

Did you know?

Pg. 1

Pg. 2

Pg. 3

Pg.4

After Kazur, Hillcrest jewellery?

A Primer on African History

Reports from the Grandmother Groups

Pg 4

Pg. 4

Pg. 5 – 14

Don’t Forget!

www.stephenlewisfoundation.org

Response to the Orphan Crisis: Community Care

Children orphaned by AIDS have fallen off the map of international concern, are no longer mentioned by UNAIDS and UNICEF. As the orphans grow, new challenges emerge: more child-headed households, crisis of orphans in adolescence, increase in sexual violence. The grandmothers take care of 40 to 60% of the orphans. But grandmothers don’t live forever. So, what needs to be done to take care of some 17 million orphans? The SLF Grassroots Newsletter of fall 2014 is dedicated to the community based response to the orphan crisis in sub-Saharan Africa. The approximately millions of orphans cannot be taken care of by their extended families. Based on experience they decide :

“We do not support orphanages because we do not see that community link--the connection is broken--whereas an orphaned child who is supported by the community still belongs to everyone and contributes to the community.”

Ilana Landsberg- Lewis writes:” They (community –based organizations) create effective interventions that speak to the child’s life as a whole. They address the full complexity of trauma and challenges that a child inherits when they lose a parent to AIDS. Community–based organizations provide long-term counselling that reflects the changing needs as children grow from toddlers to teens: getting into and keeping them in school, addressing the increased vulnerabilities faced by girls, and providing continuous education and support for prevention and management of HIV infection. Underlying all of their work is the understanding that with the loss of so many family members, any remaining family structures must be protected. These organizations work diligently to keep siblings together and family homes intact. They also engage the entire community in creating a network of care around these children and strengthen the bonds among their peers to ensure they have as many sustaining relationships as possible. This is essential to their development and identity.”

Below are some examples of locally created interventions “to resurrect the lives of orphaned children and to ensure that they grow with a sense of belonging, opportunity and loving support.”

Touch Roots Africa in Lesotho has formed “youth clubs for all children where children are learning their rights, building confidence and establishing strong support networks.” They are being prepared to deal with challenges such as property theft by relatives.

OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) in Uganda had held “a conference where children came and talked about issues that affect them.” The children then went ahead and drafted a petition which was discussed in our Parliament, and we have actually seen the Ministry of Health starting to listen to their

voices.” The youth in urban areas were asking their government to provide the rural children with the same services they received, for instance deliver drugs to rural centres so the children there would not have to walk such great distances to get services.

At Ekupholeni, South Africa, children are provided continuously with counselling and this proved to be essential to keep children in school. ”Young caregivers in child-headed households who received this psychosocial care seldom drop out of school because they have learned how to seek out support.” This approach has been very successful as children stayed in school all the way to grade 12, gained entrance to university and graduated. “The continuity of ongoing emotional support makes this possible.”

At YHHS (Young, Happy, Healthy and Safe) in Zambia it was noticed that “most of the girls who are being taken advantage of and being abused are orphans. That’s why we emphasize the issue of sexual and reproductive health with the girls, so that as they grow they have the knowledge, the information and the self-esteem they need to protect themselves.”

The old African adage also holds in times of orphan crisis : It takes a village to raise a child. » Grass Roots, Fall 2014, Stephen Lewis Foundation.

“We won’t rest until they can”

Ever since the Grandmother to Grandmother Campaign started in 2006 with the promise: “We won’t rest until they can.” we have worked hard to raise funds and awareness of the plight of the African grandmothers and were very successful. Since the economic recession in 2008, aid and donations for developing nations have decreased and quite a few projects lost their NGO support. In 2014 the Ebola crisis emerged and the world’s attention focused on 3 countries in West Africa. Ebola is a terrible disease and donations were diverted towards the Ebola crisis. Yet, in 2013, UNAIDS reported that there were 2.1 million new infections and 1.5 million deaths, which means that there continues to be a great need for strong support in the fight against the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The Stephen Lewis Foundation saw its share in donations shrink and again stepped up their fundraising efforts. Sofar, thanks to careful planning and use of funds, the Stephen Lewis Foundation has been able to maintain all projects but other decisions have to be informed by the decrease of funds. What does this mean for the Grandmother to Grandmother Campaign? The Canadian grandmothers and grand others have been most generous of time and effort to do successful fundraising. Given the present situation we should try hard to increase our efforts to raise funds, perhaps also try to establish more grandmother groups as it would result in more funds. Last but not least, donations of Aeroplan air miles for the Stephen Lewis Foundation are needed as these serve the critical role of travel in and between Africa and Canada. In 2015 we can have even more success when driven by our promise to the African grandmothers :

“We will not rest until they can.”

Did you know?

Weekly you can watch Stephen Lewis’ commentary on news from Africa on the following website: www.aidsfreeworld.org/ Co-Directors Paula Donovan and Stephen Lewis founded AIDS-Free World in 2007. Stephen Lewis’ commentaries are posted roughly bi-weekly and you can view past commentaries as well.

After Kazuri, Hillcrest jewellery?

Selling Kazuri jewellery was a great fundraiser which unfortunately has been discontinued. The void

created, may be filled by Sallie Mark from Grandmothers Linked. She is considering importing Hillcrest

Jewellery from South Africa to be sold by Canadian grandmothers. To test the waters, she may first pilot

such a project. Stay tuned…

A Primer on African History

The Bay Grandmothers' reading group has chosen a book for January reading and discussion. "The Betrayal of Africa", published by Groundwork Books, is a primer on African history and its present day problems. It was written in 2006 by Gerald Caplan a familiar face on CBC's Power and Politics. . It is available on line for $10.

The book gives a thought provoking look at African history and the role the rest of the world has played in Africa's present situation, and includes chapters on history, a snapshot of the continent at present, the effects of Western policies, China's growing influence and musings on future directions. Caplan sees South Africa as a possible leader for the rest of Africa. It is a functioning democracy with a good justice system and could become "the engine that drives an entire continent". The book should be available to all Grandmothers groups. It is a good read, a short but comprehensive look at the complexity that is Africa. Jean Harris

REPORTS FROM THE GRANDMOTHER GROUPS

Brand new: Cole Harbour-Dartmouth Grannies - Nova Scotia

Congratulations!

A new group of Grandmothers-to-Grandmothers was launched in the summer of 2014. The CHD Grannies, mostly based in Cole Harbour, are proud to announce that they have held their first and very successful EVENT. On Sat. Jan. 24th, a Dessert and Card Social was held at St. Vincent de Paul Church Hall in Cole Harbour. Over 132 card and game players joined us for yummy homemade desserts, and an afternoon of fun, cards, games and friendship. We also held a Silent Auction and a 50/ 50 draw which were well received by our guests and supporters. It was an amazing experience! We are already looking forward to our next event. Noreen Shaver

Back row: (l-r) Nancy Latimer, Bernice Leet, Sadie Kerr, Elizabeth Leedham, Joan Mc Mullen Front row: Eleanor Balcom, Dianne West, Norah Dunbar, Noreen Shaver, absent Andree Green

Charlottetown G’Ma Group - Prince Edward Island

In October we hosted the launch of the film « African Grandmothers Tribunal . Seeking justice at the frontlines of the AIDS crisis”. We enjoyed dinner with Ida and Graham before the event and were pleased to be joined by some members from the Summerside grandmothers group. In October we also held our Book Exchange fundraiser which is always an enjoyable event for everyone. We start with a display of over 100 books, donated by members, family and friends. and we ask people to bring 6 books and exchange them for 6 books of their choice.. It is a family event so there is a wide variety of books for adults and children. Book donations are taken at the door and placed on the display tables. We serve tea, coffee , juice and home baked sweets while people enjoy sitting down to have a chat and mostly talk about books Left over books are donated to Habitat for Humanity, which picks them up and sells them in their Restore.Unfortunately, our planned Christmas dinner had to be cancelled because of the weather. Marlene Marshall

Bay Grandmothers – Upper Tantallon , Nova Scotia

L to R: Diane Wilkinson, Dominica Gardner, Joyce Milley at the vintage jewelry table.

The Bay Grandmothers group has had a busy Fall season. In addition to our monthly meetings, which include an education component, we also held our annual African Luncheon in November at St. Luke’s Church in Tantallon. As well as serving an African themed lunch, we have various sales tables of crafts, baked goods and vintage and Kazuri jewellery. This luncheon is a major fund raiser for our group. Guest presenters at our meetings have included

Dr. Noni MacDonald and Dr. Bob Bortolussi, both based at IWK Hospital, speaking on their micro research projects in Africa. They described the work they've been doing in East Africa in an effort to promote community focused research projects. A grant of $2,000 is available for each project where interdisciplinary teams are encouraged to do research on maternal and child health. This community based research is based on a philosophy similar to the one of SLF. For more information, you can go to www.microresearch.ca. Recently, Dr. Shelly Whitman, Executive Directive of the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldier Initiative spoke to our group. This international organization, based at Dalhousie University, gave an intriguing but disturbing presentation. For further information you can visit www.childsoldiers.org . Shirley Blair

Ubuntu Grannies -- Fall River, Nova Scotia In October 2014, the Ubuntu Grannies held their 3rd annual Penny Auction at St. John's United Church in Fall River. We also had a silent auction, sold beverages , sweet and the Grandmother to Grandmother calendars. We had a really good turnout of people and raised much money. We were pleased to have members of other groups in attendance as well. Nancy Fullerton Picture: people buy numbered paper pennies and place them near items of choice. These “pennies” are used for the draw to determine who gets the items.

Bedford Grandmothers Nova Scotia

Picture: ( L to R) Diana Haydon, Barb Macey, Mary MacDermid, Brideen Morgan, Ruth Ann Sutherland, Linda Wills, Joan Johnston, and Pat Macdonald

As always, the Fall Meetings and Metro Gatherings begin with plenty of activities. A few of our members participated in the Bingo Night at the Halifax Forum October (plenty of laughs), several attended the launch of the movie African Grandmothers Tribunal » at First Baptist Church in October , and some heard Winnie speak about Ethiopia at the library in November (topnotch presentation). The Bay Grandmothers frequently invite us to hear their Guest Speakers. We appreciate their kind gesture and attend when able. In November, Ruth Ann Sutherland and Linda Wills came to our meeting and gave an excellent overview of the updated SLF web-site. It is much appreciated.

Bedford Players generously donated 50 tickets for us to sell for their October 30 production with all proceeds retained by G2G. (There’s a Picture on the BP web-site of us receiving the cheque and a description of our G2G Campaign.) Following the Bay Grandmothers’ lead, we’re in the process of forming a Book Club and the Bay Group kindly provided a list of books which they found interesting to read and discuss. This will be an excellent activity for the winter months! Just like our African Grandmothers’ example of sisterhood, we continue to enjoy our fun times together as good friends while raising awareness and funds.--Marilyn Sceles,

Dartmouth Grannies Nova Scotia

Soup lunch and craft sale at St.James United Church, Dartmouth.

The Dartmouth Grannies have had a very busy fall fundraising season beginning in October with a presentation by Norma Carey, Winnie Kwak & BJ Kirby. These 3 members of local grandmother groups showed pictures and talked about their March, 2014 trip to Africa with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Desserts were served and Kazuri jewellery was sold. In November, the group sold tickets to a performance of Mid-Life! The Crisis Musical at Dartmouth Players Theatre

The following week the group sold crafts and baked goods at the annual Findlay Centre Craft Sale, followed the next day by serving a soup lunch and selling crafts at St. James United Church in Dartmouth. In December the annual Christmas Potluck was held in Eastern Passage and the group took the opportunity to invite and welcome the new Cole Harbour-Dartmouth group. It has been a successful season and our members have been enjoying a much needed rest and opportunity to re-group over the holidays. BJ Kirby

Shore for African Grandmothers (SAG)- Jeddore, Nova Scotia

On Oct 18, 2014, Shore for African Grandmothers hosted our annual Dare to Dine. We had great support from our Eastern Shore community. Our local St James Church Hall donated their facility for our event and we had wonderful entertainment provided by Jillian Romo and her band. We are now in the planning stages for our 2015 Spring Tea. Linda Faulkner

Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers - Fredericton, New Brunswick. .

. Carol Ann Daigle,Ida Nambeya,Linda Sprague, Helen MacDonald, Graham Coultas, Mari Cashion?

Valerie Wilkins and Linda Hubbard from the Dance Committee.

Nancy McGarvie with a beautiful Christmas wreath

Grandmothers Helping Grandmothers in Fredericton had a busy and successful fall, full of opportunities to “spread the word” and to raise fund. In October we hosted Fredericton’s launch of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’ film “African Grandmothers Tribunal – Seeking justice at the frontlines of the AIDS crisis”. It was held on the University of New Brunswick Campus in partnership with the Faculty of Education and was well attended by both the university community and the community at large. In October we hosted what has become an annual event, our Dance with Vinyl2Bits. About 200 people danced the night away to the great sounds of this popular band, all having a wonderful time. In November, we partnered with the Elm City Quilt Guild in their Quilt Show entitled: “Grandmothers’ Quilts, Then and Now”. In return for hosting the dessert portion of the show the proceeds from the admission charge were donated to our group. The dining room was beautifully decorated with African Themed quilts many of their members had made during a quilt retreat. We also had a craft table and an information table to raise additional funds and to talk to those who attended about our group and our work. In November, we held our annual Pot Luck Social at one of our members’ home to simply meet, share a meal together and get to know each other better. We had 40 members in attendance. November and early December is the time for what has become our “signature fundraiser”, our Christmas Wreath Sale. We do this through various churches and in the community at large. This year we sold over 1000 wreaths and through this raised significant funds and awareness throughout the community. Susan Breen

HRM Grandmothers Committee – Halifax- Nova Scotia

Representatives of several Grandmother groups in the Halifax Regional Metropolitan area hosted the launch of the documentary :

“African Grandmothers Tribunal : Seeking justice at the frontlines of the AIDS crisis. “

We were fortunate that Ida Nambeya , field representative of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Graham Coultas, Director of the Grandmother to Grandmother Campaign., were present to answer our many questions and tell about their experiences in the SLF projects. This powerful documentary shows the grandmothers working in their home environment, discussing many pressing issues and ends with footage taken at the African Grandmothers Tribunal in Vancouver in fall 2013. “It’s time to recognize that African grandmothers at the forefront of the HIV and AIDS crisis must have our human rights respected and protected,” states the report from the People’s Tribunal held earlier in Vancouver. The African Grandmothers Tribunal included eminent activists Gloria Steinem, Joy Phumaphi, Stephen Lewis, David Suzuki, Theo Sowa and Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond. They heard African grandmothers demand better protection of human rights for themselves and their communities. The report recognizes that Africa’s recovery from the ravages of the AIDS pandemic depends on these grandmothers, and the time has come to recognize, respect and support their efforts to create better lives for the next generation. “ Alexis MacDonald, Stephen Lewis Foundation. This documentary should not be missed. Every grandmother group has been sent a copy of this DVD making it possible for every grandmother group to show and discuss it in their home area.

Terra Nova Grannies – St.John’s, Newfoundland

In September, the Terra Nova Grannies voted to change our name from Terre Neuve Grannies to Terra Nova Grannies. We felt this was clearer for the general public. Our first fundraising effort was our sale of Vesey’s bulbs. The income from the sale provides us with some funds to finance our other activities. In October, we had another Scrabble game, tea and silent auction which were enjoyed by all participants. In spite of very bad weather, we raised much money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Sadly, we lost one of our members who passed away in November. Leila was well known for her bun-making which she provided for our activities. Kay Matthews

Hootin’nannies - Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia

Grannies’ Book Nook (left) and Kazuri jewellery sale (below)..

The Port Hawkesbury Hootin'nannies held a Kazuri jewellery party as a fundraiser for the Grandmothers' Campaign in Oct., 2014. In addition there was Granny's Book Nook with used books as well as framed and unframed African prints for sale and there were door prizes. There was an excellent turnout thanks to lots of publicity. People didn't want to go home. The opportunity to socialize provided an evening of fun for everyone and, of course, there were refreshments with punch served as well. A great evening was had by all and, most importantly, money came in to assist the Grandmothers in Africa. Shirley Hartery

Malaika Grandmothers of Halifax - Nova Scotia

Mulu Gebreyesus (R) and friend

Ethiopian coffee pot

Mulu’s friend baked the bread .

Malaika Grandmothers have spent their autumn meetings making plans for 2015 activities. We attended the launch of the excellent documentary : African Grandmothers Tribunal : Seeking justice at the frontline of the AIDS crisis. » The highlight of our fall was in November when we were happy to assist Winnie Kwak the evening that she presented slides and answered questions about her Grandmothers to Grandmothers trip to Ethiopia. The enthusiastic Keshen Goodman library audience enjoyed the discussion as we sampled traditional Ethiopian coffee with bread, prepared and served by Mulu Gebreyesus and her friend. In December we enjoyed a great December potluck dinner and got to know more about each other. Judy Dudar

Summerside G’ma’s Circle – Prince Edward Island

Audience of the successful concert evening.

Some families donated their time and talents.

Joan Gauvin participated in a skit.

We had a very successful year of fundraising in 2014 and our small group was able to send much money to the SLF at the end of the year. One of our more ambitious projects was organized by a member Nancy MacFarlane and was a concert at the end of November. PEI musicians (some families) donated their time and talents. We also had generous donations from church groups, individuals and a quilting group who donates a quilt nearly every year. Some members organize a bridge tournament and a bake/craft sale in cooperation with the Staff of the local Scotia Bank .This is each year a good fundraiser especially

since the Scotia Bank Staff Community Fund matches our proceeds.

Our December meeting was an afternoon at my home, with refreshments provided by members. Our "entertainment" educational piece was skit by 2 members who dramatized one of the Canadian/African Grandmother Scenarios from the SLF Resources Website. The member who was portraying the African grandmother wore her beautiful dress which was made to order for her on the spot, in the Congo. -- Ann McEwen

Tantramar Association of Grandmothers/others (TAG) Sackville, New Brunswick

Front L-R: Jane Drover, Anne Pirie, Shirley Oliver. Back L-R: Nancy Burridge, Brenda Allen, Judith Colwell, Susan Spence(new member), Crystal ( 4th year Mount Allison student volunteer), Heather Patterson.

Grannie’s Soup Night Clean- up Crew! Ruth Buckinger (left) and Shelley Hallman ( right). The Grannies’ Soup Night was a success!

A highlight of the 2014 fall for TAG was hosting Ida Nambeya and Graham Coultas in Sackville, for the launch of the film, “African Grandmothers Tribunal” , held at Mount Allison University in October. Prior to the film showing, group member, Heather Patterson opened her home to host a pot luck supper by group members in honour of our visitors, Ida and Graham. We thoroughly enjoyed our guests and shared their inspiring stories of work with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In December we held our 5th annual Dare to Dine Midnight Madness Grannies Soup Night. Using a downtown church hall and kitchen, we host an open house for downtown shoppers to drop in for hot soup, homemade biscuits, rolls and cookies during Sackville's Midnight Madness when shops stay open until midnight on a Friday evening a couple of weeks before Christmas. We accept free will donations for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, promote the Grandmothers campaign and also sell Kazuri jewellery. The “Grannies' soup night” has really caught on; we have a lot of fun and the community seems to

really look forward to it. This event has proven to be a lot of fun, a successful fundraiser and an

important way to share the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign with

our community.

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In this issue we avoided breaking up Grandmother reports over two pages in case you want to print off your group’s page. As a result there are some half and two- third pages. Many thanks to all grandmother groups for their submissions to this issue of our newsletter. We welcome ideas and suggestions for the next issue. Winnie Kwak and BJ Kirby.