Oliver Grandmothers for Africa are presenting a “Spring Bling” sale of new and used jewelry and accessories on Saturday, April 12 from 9 am to 2 pm at the Oliver United Church.
There are some exciting buys, most notably, a collection of Swarovski crystal rings and earrings at clearance prices. All proceeds are donated to the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers’ Campaign to support African grandmothers raising children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
African grandmothers are leaders in their communities and are faced with huge demands on their physical and emotional energies.
They are primary caregivers for their immediate families and also contribute to the health and welfare of their larger communities. African grandmothers work valiantly to fight the stigma of HIV/AIDS, raise awareness about the virus and provide vital care to people living with it.
Sue James, president of the Oliver Grandmothers for Africa, is getting ready for the Spring Bling sale on April 12 at Oliver United Church.
Experts in Africa work to overcome the pandemic, they are on the front lines as agents of change. In spite of the heartache and hardships, there are signs everywhere that the tide of AIDS is beginning to turn at the community level.
African grandmothers are heroic women who meet adversity head-on as they raise their voices in song, move their bodies in rhythm and heal themselves and their communities. We celebrate them.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 14.8 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The lucky ones are in the care of their grandmothers. These women emerged, almost miraculously, as one solid wall of protection, a wall so strong it couldn’t be penetrated.
Stephen Lewis says, “It stands today as a protective embrace for the orphan children of the continent.”
Grandmothers have provided food, shelter, parenting, love and education, anything a child needs, despite all of the difficulties.
They do it with courage and resilience and many now have become leaders in community organizations.
Stephen Lewis believes we must get funds directly into the hands of these grass roots organizations. They know exactly what to do and how to do it. They simply need the funds to make it happen, and we are with them every step of the way.
