African and Canadian grandmothers connect
“They [African grandmothers] are joyful in their numbers and coming-together… but they’re also fighting hard to be heard and heeded… to be visible and to have their issues and insights respected. They know the future is precarious… they are tired, stretched thin, aching, still losing children and grandchildren to AIDS… but they are also emboldened by one another, driven by necessity, outraged that they still have to struggle so hard to feed and clothe the grandchildren of the Nation, and they are organizing for systemic change. It’s so bloody hard to bear the injustice of their continued struggle to be heard, listened-to and counted, but it is equally inspiring and hopeful to see them rallying. Canadian Grandmothers, Sisters – Your support has allowed a new push forward to flourish and grow with mounting urgency and determination."
- Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, Executive-Director, Stephen Lewis Foundation,
in a Jan./17 letter to Canadian grandmothers
International Women's Day
 Since the Grandmothers Campaign was launched on the eve of International Women’s Day, 2006 and our Greater Van Gogos region formed shortly after, we mark IWD (March 8) for what it is - a day of recognition and inspiration.
The theme of IWD for 2017 is Be Bold for Change – not a new concept for African grandmothers. In the light of IWD, a global day that celebrates social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, we pledge to continue our focus on the amazing work our African sisters are doing in their communities and on our fundraising, so they have the means to forge ahead.
Got extra Aeroplan Miles?
Please donate them to the SLF! Aeroplan will match your donation until Sunday, March 5. Aeroplan miles are used to:
- bring African grandmothers and other African experts to Canada;
- fund travel for African Field Representatives to evaluate and monitor community organizations;
- allow community based workers to travel and build networks across their own countries.
 Did you know?
In 2001, Mavambo Trust was started by three women near Harare, Zimbabwe. They recognized a generation of orphans who had never been in school or had dropped out, and who faced complex challenges and needed broader services than mainstream schools offered.
 One part of the Trust is the Mavambo Learning Centre in Bhobho. The centre offers children between eight and 12 education, safety, adequate nutrition, healthcare and support for grandmothers and other caregivers. The Trust also started Bhobho farm to help grandmothers provide for their grandchildren.
UNICEF and the education ministry have adopted Mavambo’s methodology in 600 new sites within Zimbabwe.
The students:
- take pride in their school uniforms, tools, teachers, tutors, one meal a day, birth certificates and national identity;
- transition well to mainstream schools where they excel and rank at the top of their classes;
- are graduating, with many returning to volunteer at Mavambo to mentor their younger peers.
Source: Stephen Lewis Foundation
Spring Fling
Thursday, March 2, 7-11 pm
Crescent Beach Royal Canadian Legion, 2643 – 128 St., Surrey, BC
Join Oneness Gogos for their fourth annual dance, with live music by the Timewalkers. Buy some crafts at the marketplace and enjoy light snacks. Tickets $30. Contact Debbie at deriopel@telus.net.
Pledge for a Wedge
Sunday, March 5, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Deer Lake United Church, 5135 Sperling Ave., Burnaby, BC
 Come to Burnaby Gogos coffee/cake wrap-up of their POWER of 10 fundraiser marking IWD and the Grandmothers Campaign's 10 th anniversary. Admission: donate at the door or donate to POWER of 10 online and receive an invite. Contact burnabygogos@gmail.com or Claire, 604-433-3026.
“Positively Beautiful”
Sunday, March 5, 2:45–5:30 pm
Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St., Vancouver, BC
South Van Gogos, Tikun Olam Gogos, VanGogos, Welisa Gogos and West End Gogos join with Vancity Theatre to present "Positively Beautiful", a film about life, love and friendship amidst the HIV/AIDS crisis in a rapidly evolving South Africa. Marketplace with totes, cards, jewelry, household crafts, decorative items. Tickets $9-$12; buy from Vancity Theatre website or box office. More info: maryellenbelfiore@gmail.com.
Rant on, Sister!
Wednesday, March 8, 7:30-9:30 pm (doors open 6:30 pm)
 Columbia Theatre, 530 Columbia St., New Westminster, BC
Celebrate International Women’s Day with The Glamoramas in a fun-filled evening with guest ranters, music, silent auction, rants from the floor. Food, beverages. Tickets $30. Contact theglamoramas2015@gmail.com.
POWER of 10
Present through March 8
This one-year initiative by two of our groups commemorates the 10 th anniversary of the Grandmothers Campaign and winds down on International Women’s Day, March 8.
1000 people x $10 ea. = $10,000
“Guilty Conscience”
Wednesday, March 22, 8–10:30 pm
Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Dr., Vancouver, BC
Richmond Gogos host this drama/thriller full of twists and turns, manipulation and surprise. A Manhattan lawyer, anticipating a messy divorce from his wife, plans her demise. Tickets $20. Contact Lauris at laurisw@yahoo.com, 778-434-5146.
 I Can’t Believe She Wore That Dress
Saturday, March 25, 3-5:30 pm (marketplace 2 pm)
Northwood United Church, 8855 156th St., Surrey, BC
Langley Gogos, Oneness Gogos and Ubuntu Ogogo host this fashion show with Ivan Sayers, fashion historian. Look back at weird and wonderful clothes that women wore over time. Refreshments, marketplace. Tickets $30. Contact mel0die@telus.net, dawns2382@icloud.com, yhartup@hotmail.com.
Spring Bling
Saturday, April 22, 10 am – 3 pm
Greentree Village Community Centre, 4295 Garden Grove Dr., Burnaby, BC
Burnaby Gogos host a sale of gently used jewelry at prices not to be missed. Admission $1. Jewelry donations accepted to March 31; for delivery/pickup, contact burnabygogos@gmail.com or Marlene, 604-683-5573.
Voices for Africa
Thursday, May 4, 7:30–9:30 pm (doors open 6:30 pm)
 Temple Sholom, 7190 Oak St., Vancouver, BC
Tikun Olam Gogos present an evening of song with award winning actress and singer, Jane Mortifee, and writer and composer, John Gray. Marketplace with VanGogos. Wine bar, coffee, desserts. Tickets $30; buy online at eventbrite.ca (Tikun Olam) or call Darcy, 604-946-6475, or Marie, 604-438-4753.
Start your Spring Cleaning now!
Wednesday, May 10 to Wednesday May 17, 8 am – 8 pm
13396 – 14th Ave., Surrey, BC
In this FUNDrive, Oneness Gogos are collecting gently used clothing and household goods, to be sold to a local distributor of used items. See website post for further details on acceptable and unacceptable items and for drop-off info. Contact Thelma at thelmanewbury99@gmail.com.
Solidarity Cycle
Sunday, September 10, 8 am – 6 pm
White Rock, BC to Chilliwack, BC
 This is a 100 km cycle ride from White Rock to Chilliwack on Grandparents Day and is fully supported. Registration opens March 1st and is limited to 30 people. Choose to ride 100 km or enter as a team and cycle 50 km each.
Hosts: Abbotsford Gogos, Chilliwacky Gogos, Langley Gogos, Royal City Gogos and Tikun Olam Gogos. Registration fee $50. More info: Solidarity Cycle website or contact solidaritycycle@gmail.com.
Join us
Greater Van Gogos have pledged "not to rest until African 
Grandmothers can rest." You can help us to keep AIDS on the world agenda... take action using the links below. You may also wish to help turn the tide of AIDS in Africa through a donation. |
