Local “grandmothers” jump on board the “AfriGrand Caravan“

Aug 26, 2010

Adele Colby, chair of Grandmothers-by-the-Lake, the local chapter of the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, will be presenting a talk and introducing African guests at the AfriGrand Caravan, a new cross-country event and tour seeking to raise awareness and engage Canadians in the plight of thousands of African grandmothers left to deal with the fallout of the HIV/AIDS pandemic there.

The Caravan will be divided into three separate sections that will visit more than 40 communities across the country over 65 days, from September through November of this year. At each visit one African grandmother and her granddaughter will speak about their experience, expertise, and the common and different needs required on the front-lines in Africa as they continue to deal with the devastating pandemic, which continues to rage on.

Adele Colby will be speaking at the Caravan's two scheduled stops in Kingston on Monday, September 20, the first in the morning at KCVI for students and the second at the large auditorium located at the Faculty of Education at Queens' University at 7pm.

The goal of the caravan is two-fold: first to strengthen already existing bonds with Canadian grandmothers and granddaughters, and second, to inspire new members and community groups to form and get involved.

Adele's involvement is a continuation of her ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds for the campaign. Recently inspired and re-energized from a trip she took to Africa in May for the first ever “Grandmother Gathering” in Swaziland, she is continuing to get the message out to the Canadian public.

Colby explained what listeners can expect. “The upcoming Caravan is a great opportunity to hear first hand what these grandmothers and their grandchildren are dealing with and to find out the best ways of supporting their ongoing day-to-day battle. By raising the profile of the initiative we are hoping to get these grandmothers the necessary support that they so desperately need.”

For more information about the AfriGrand Caravan please visit www.grandmotherscampaign.org