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‘How can we not do something’: Grandmothers for Africa celebrates 15 years

The South Okanagan chapter has raised over $200 million for Africa since 2006
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Grandmothers for Africa South Okanagan are celebrating 15 years of work in sub-Saharan Africa.

In 2006, a group of Penticton women grieved the loss of adult children to HIV/AIDS and those faced with raising their orphaned grandchildren in poverty with poor sustainable food sources, the burden of school fees and inadequate housing.

“How can we not do something,” the group collectively said 15 years ago.

Now in 2021, Grandmothers for Africa in the South Okanagan are celebrating a decade and a half of helping people in need all over the continent.

The South Okanagan chapter has raised a total of $271,996.32 since its inception in 2006.

“This remarkable social movement continues,” the group said in a statement last month. “Today in Africa, needs are changing: the children are older and taking on more training and leadership, and the grannies are empowered to seek more social justice with issues such as pensions, health care, land rights.”

READ MORE: South Okanagan Grandmothers for Africa holding free online concert

Grandmothers in sub-Saharan Africa formed community groups to deal with the stigma and treatment of AIDS. It’s the priorities established in Africa that have driven the agenda for the funds raised in Canada.

And for 15 years, the group has tackled the very issues that made them concerned 15 years ago.

The group asks that you visit grandmothersforafricaso.com to learn more about the organization.


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com

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