Toronto Grandmothers Embrace
The Toronto Grandmothers Embrace group at Newtonbrook United Church is one of more than 200 Grandmothers groups across Canada that come together to support the Stephen Lewis Foundation, particularly in its task of supporting the African grannies who are caring for children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
ONE EAST AFRICAN GRANDMOTHER
MARY BABIRYE - A STORY.
MARY BABIRYE - A STORY.
Mary is a 63year old widow, living in East Africa, who has lost 8 of her l2 children to AIDS. She is the sole caregiver of l4 of her orphaned grandchildren – an unimaginable burden. Mary now receives help through a relatively large project funded by the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) which focuses on getting children into school. African colleagues of the SLF assure us that getting children into school helps to stop the progress of the pandemic, reduces the impact of the virus on families and communities and is one of the surest ways of building a future free from poverty and destitution. The Foundation has contributed C$l25,995 to this project over two years.
The help Mary Babirye is receiving includes:
This group of about 25 women meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship room of Newtonbrook United Church. Meetings focus on education and awareness of SLF-funded programs assisting women and children, fundraising activities and advocacy in support of the African grandmothers. New members are welcome to this sociable and enthusiastic group. You do not have to be a grandmother or a “grandmother wannabe” to join!
The help Mary Babirye is receiving includes:
- complete educational support for one grandchild in secondary school
- school materials for the other grandchildren (school uniforms, supplies etc.)
- a start-up fund for Mary's income-generating project.
- medical support
- a water-harvesting jar for her home so that the girls do not have to walk 3km to get water and the family has safe drinking water.
- school materials for the other grandchildren (school uniforms, supplies etc.)
- a start-up fund for Mary's income-generating project.
- medical support
- a water-harvesting jar for her home so that the girls do not have to walk 3km to get water and the family has safe drinking water.
This group of about 25 women meets the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship room of Newtonbrook United Church. Meetings focus on education and awareness of SLF-funded programs assisting women and children, fundraising activities and advocacy in support of the African grandmothers. New members are welcome to this sociable and enthusiastic group. You do not have to be a grandmother or a “grandmother wannabe” to join!
For information on the national program and to see the energy that is galvanizing grandmothers from coast to coast, please click on the following links:
“If God had intended us to follow recipes,
He wouldn't have given us grandmothers.”
~ Linda Henley
He wouldn't have given us grandmothers.”
~ Linda Henley