 | Toronto Grandmothers Embrace (TGE) is an organization of dedicated women who volunteer their personal time to support Grandmothers in Africa, and the children in their care. Villages and communities of sub-Saharan Africa have been devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, leaving many orphaned children, and others suffering from AIDS. Grandmothers have bravely stepped to the forefront, while experiencing their own personal grief and sense of loss, to provide for the emotional, practical, and educational needs of these children, with shelter, food, school materials and fees, guidance, support and love. We applaud their resilience and dedication. TGE was founded in 2006, following the first Gathering of grandmothers in Toronto. At this meeting, Canadian grandmothers learned firsthand from African grandmothers about the extent of loss, hardship, and community destruction they were enduring. “We will not rest, until you can rest” became the pledge of the Canadian grandmothers to these incredibly strong women. Our mandate at TGE has been to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic and its far reaching effects in sub-Saharan Africa as well as the grassroots community based projects supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation(SLF). Our approach has involved educating ourselves as well as others. At the same time, we support, assist, encourage and celebrate the African grandmothers and raise funds for the Grandmothers Campaign of the SLF supporting African grandmothers and their humanitarian role in their communities. Over the years this has involved countless fundraising events some of which include: Dare to Dine – providing free lunches for school staff-, community presentations, Kazuri jewellery sales, an ‘Art from the Attic ‘sale, an African inspired dinner. It has also fostered a great deal of fun, fellowship and mutual support and learning. We are always open to new members and value the diversity and skills that every individual can provide in order to compliment our existing membership. Come and join us if you can. We are purposeful, dedicated, powerful women who value each other and our mutual endeavours. Help us to put the “ fun” in fundraising and the meaningfulness into life. |