Fall Frenzy 2015

The Stephen Lewis Foundation and grandmothers in Africa are $1500 richer after the local Grannies wound up a successful Fall Frenzy last weekend. An exotic display of jewelry and handmade Christmas ornaments made in self help projects in Africa and twinned with some lovely local creations. A steady stream of shoppers poured in, hunted down treasures and took time for a latte and visiting with friends. Even our new MP Richard Cannings came with his family and an identical twin brother many of us didn’t know existed. There were some funny moments as we tried to get pictures of ‘the candidate’ only to find out he was the candidate’s twin! Out of town tourists also arrived thanks to a little encouragement from Rhoda at the Oliver Info Center. Thank you, Rhoda.

African grandmothers doing the hard day to day work of raising children orphaned by HIV/AIDS benefit from the grassroots projects the Stephen Lewis Foundation sponsors. Initially, no one had thought to team Canadian grandmothers with grandmothers struggling so far away. It was a brilliant idea and it caught on and has grown so that there are many Grandmothers for Africa groups all across Canada.
The local group welcomes new members and usually meets the first Thursday of each month at 1 pm in the basement of the Oliver United Church. The cause is worthwhile, the results satisfying and the need in Africa is great. Children don’t grow up overnight and as they grow, Canadian grandmothers are determined to continue to support their counterparts, the African grannies on the ground who refuse to give up hope and work every single day to make dreams come true.