Forty four avid Bridge players gathered at Fairview Golf Club on February 23rd to take part in a charity Bridge tournament and luncheon. The Oliver Grandmothers for Africa sponsored the event in order to raise funds for the Stephen Lewis Foundation and to take action to help ease the pain of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. 100% of the money raised goes to support community-based African organizations where care is provided to women who are ill, to assist orphans and other AIDS affected children and to reach heroic grandmothers who almost singlehandedly care for their orphaned grandkids.
The local group of Grannies seeks to build solidarity, raise awareness and mobilitze support in Canada for Africa’s grandmothers. Well over 200 similar groups in Canada have taken up the call for action and more than $9 million has been raised.
The money has been directed to 15 sub-Saharan African countries and provides grandmothers with much needed support, food, housing grants, school fees, small business loans and even grief counselling. In some countries 40-60% of orphans live in grandmother headed households and the programs provide support, solace and hope as the grandmothers work to become self sustaining. Their courage and resilience are inspirational.
The Bridge event in Oliver, combined with sales of African & local crafts at the WOW show, netted almost $1000 to be sent overseas. Those who participated enjoyed Bridge, a luncheon and great company. The Oliver Grandmothers for Africa are especially appreciative of the cooperation and service provided by Fairview Golf Club personnel.