The Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign
African grandmothers play a unique and central role in communities struggling with the impact of HIV/AIDS. Millions of children have been orphaned by AIDS and it is estimated that 40-60% live in households where the grandmother is the sole care-giver. Despite the enormous challenges they face, the grandmothers demonstrate huge determination and resilience in taking on the role of caring for a second generation of children following the loss of their own adult children.
In recognition of the crucial role played by grandmothers, in 2006 the Stephen Lewis Foundation launched the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign to support African grandmothers caring for their orphaned grandchildren. Initially there were just a few groups of committed Canadian grandmothers, but the movement has now grown to over 200 local groups across Canada as well as groups in the UK, Australia and the USA. The groups share three goals:
- raise funds to help meet the needs of the grandmothers and the children in their care
- raise awareness about the role of the grandmothers and their determination to provide their grandchildren with a secure childhood and hope for the future
- build solidarity among grandmothers to sustain vital work at grassroots level to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa
Find out more about this global movement: www.grandmotherscampaign.org