The Grandmothers Campaign is an initiative of the Stephen Lewis Foundation
In 2007 a group of women from the Comox Valley was inspired by their African sisters who had risen so willingly to the challenge of bringing up their grandchildren, after their own children had died from HIV and AIDS. Since then, the Glacier Grannies have raised over $600,000 dollars for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation . Learn more about us here .
The Grandmothers of Sub-Saharan Africa are a resilient and heroic group of women. After caring for their own children as they died in the HIV and AIDS pandemic, they took on the role of raising their orphaned grandchildren, caring for their physical and emotional needs, and putting them through school. As they grew in self-confidence, they became pivotal members of their communities, participating in income-generating programs and leading the fight against HIV and AIDS: teaching prevention, supporting those living with the condition, and battling the stigma that still surrounds the disease. Grandmothers have also become advocates for change, fighting for their human rights and those of their families. By supporting grassroots community-based organizations, The Grandmothers Campaign is with them every step of the way.
As many grandchildren grow older, some are joining with other youth to become leaders in programs to support young people living with HIV and AIDS. In 2017, teenage girls were the largest group to become infected.
Canadian grandmothers have pledged not to rest until their African sisters can rest!
AIDS Angels Our AIDS Angels make beautiful and meaningful decorations on the Christmas tree, and are a thoughtful hostess gift. Each angel is hand made, unique and is given a traditional African name in memory of a child who has died of AIDS.
During November and December they are available at:
Blue Heron Books
250 339-6111
1775 Comox Ave., Comox
Coffee Love Bug
250 334-1034
950 Cumberland Rd., Courtenay
The Craft Shop
250-339-5133
d'Esterre Seniors' Centre, 1801 Beaufort Avenue, Comox
Gardenworks
250-334-3024
2855 Wentworth Road (corner of Highway 19A) Courtenay
Information Would you like to be informed of our upcoming events? Please send us a note by clicking on Contact Us and completing and submitting the form. You will be reached by email only.
Upcoming Meetings Glacier Grannies meetings are a time for the entire membership to get together to celebrate successes, plan upcoming projects, learn about the work of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, and enjoy friendship and refreshments.
Scheduled Meeting Dates for 2025 TBA Meeting times are 1:30 PM at the Comox United Church, 250 Beach Drive
Join Us You are welcome to come to a meeting to find out more about us.
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International Grandmothers Gathering October 24 – 27 2023
Canadian Museum of Human Rights
Winnipeg
Kate R. writes:
From October 24 to 27 of this year I was privileged to attend the 2023 International Grandmothers Gathering. I wanted to know: how are our African sisters doing? Where are they in the HIV/Aids battle? And how are they coming on achieving the rights they have been denied for so long?
We received an overwhelmingly positive answer from Mama Darlina of South Africa on the first morning as she triumphantly declared, “WE HAVE WON….BUT THERE IS STILL MORE WORK TO DO” Over the next three days we heard from Grannies and community leaders from the 11 countries that held simultaneous gatherings in sub-Saharan Africa. A few were present with us in Winnipeg, many more spoke to us on Zoom. The news was so encouraging. HIV and AIDS transmission is down by 80% since the beginning of the Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign. This is largely due to national governments finally supplying free anti-retroviral drugs. The work still to be done consists of improving distribution to rural areas, strengthening health networks and hospital infrastructure, and breaking through the barriers of racism and gender inequality so that the ARV’S are available for all.
Over 100 Canadian grandmothers were inspired through stories of community leadership in Africa, talks by the Foundation staff, our own round table discussions and the opportunity to contribute to a Grandmothers Statement reflecting our wishes for and commitments to the Grandmothers of Africa.
You can read the keynote address from Meg French, Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation here .
