Local Grandmothers’ chair to attend African gathering

Jan 28, 2010

Congratulations to Adele Colby of Tichborne, chair of the Grandmothers-by-the-Lake, the local chapter of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s (SLF’s) Grandmothers-to-Grandmothers Campaign, who was recently notified that she is one of 40 Canadian grandmothers chosen from more than 220 applicants across the country to represent Canada at the upcoming African Grandmothers Gathering in Swaziland.

Adele said, “I was not expecting to find out until Jan. 20 but on Jan. 18 I received an email from Joanna Henry, the SLF person coordinating the trip. I thought it would be a notice of rejection but she congratulated me and told me that choosing the candidates was one of the hardest decisions she had ever had to make.”

The trip will take Adele first to South Africa to visit three SLF grandmothers projects there and then later to Swaziland where she will meet and work alongside her fellow African and Canadian grandmothers to develop future projects. Adele is busy reading up about Africa and the AIDS epidemic to better prepare for the trip, which she knows will be a “life changing experience”.

When asked why she thinks she was chosen she mentioned her former work as senior advisor with the federal government where she worked with communities at risk, her experience of surviving two bouts of cancer and being a person who likes to “take the lead and get things done.”

Due to logistical considerations the date of the Swaziland gathering has changed to May 9 to 11 and will coincide with Mother’s Day. As a result the former deadline for donations of Aeroplan miles to help send the Canadian delegates to Swaziland has been extended. Anyone still wishing to make a donation can still do so by visiting www.grandmotherscampaign.org.

Adele also wanted to remind local businesses, groups and organizations that the Grandmother-by-the-Lake group is offering information sessions about their work they do and/or will assist others who might form their own group or make a contribution. Those interested can contact Adele at 613-374-3807.