Education

2021 Chair: Laurie Wilson
2021 Co-Chair: vacant
This working group focuses on raising awareness about the expertise and leadership of African grandmothers and their struggle to secure a hopeful and healthy future for generations of children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. We offer workshops and presentations for our own members, and also give presentations to the public including schools, community groups, seniors and churches.
The group meets once every two months and is divided into several committees. We work with Sales & Crafts to provide an educational component at events scheduled throughout the year.
The committees are:
2021 Co-Chair: vacant
This working group focuses on raising awareness about the expertise and leadership of African grandmothers and their struggle to secure a hopeful and healthy future for generations of children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS. We offer workshops and presentations for our own members, and also give presentations to the public including schools, community groups, seniors and churches.
The group meets once every two months and is divided into several committees. We work with Sales & Crafts to provide an educational component at events scheduled throughout the year.
The committees are:
- Speakers Bureau: responds to requests from community groups for information about the SLF, G2G and VG4A; prepares speakers to give presentations. Contact Lisbie Rae to arrange a speaker at lisbie123@gmail.com
- Member Education and Awareness: solicits suggestions from VG4A members about areas of interest; provides educational moments at general meetings; provides resources and support to the Membership Committee for new members
- Resource Materials Co-ordinator: organizes and maintains educational materials, display boards, videos and DVDs and the VG4A lending library
- Volunteer Co-ordinator: organizes and schedules volunteers to help at presentations; liaises with Sales and Crafts
- Welcome Gatherings: The Education Working Group delivers the content of the welcome gathering. One or more Education members attends each welcome gathering to offer:
- an introduction to the SLF, G2G, VG4A and its working groups
- an opportunity to get to know new members, invite them to introduce themselves and ask questions
- a package of printed material including a welcome letter, VG4A brochure, SLF and G2G flyer, bookmark and the Stephen Lewis Foundation publications, Grassroots and the Granny Bulletin

Paper Bead Lessons
Members of the Education Working Group go into schools to teach students about the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. We speak about the inspiring work of African grandmothers as they raise orphaned and vulnerable children, and how in some countries, grandmothers generate income through selling paper bead necklaces. We show students how to make paper beads; each child can go home with a bracelet or necklace along with a hand-out explaining the work of Victoria Grandmothers for Africa. The lessons conform to the BC Curriculum, and are adjusted to the age and level of the classes.
To arrange a lesson, contact Laurie at vacationlauren@gmail.com
Members of the Education Working Group go into schools to teach students about the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. We speak about the inspiring work of African grandmothers as they raise orphaned and vulnerable children, and how in some countries, grandmothers generate income through selling paper bead necklaces. We show students how to make paper beads; each child can go home with a bracelet or necklace along with a hand-out explaining the work of Victoria Grandmothers for Africa. The lessons conform to the BC Curriculum, and are adjusted to the age and level of the classes.
To arrange a lesson, contact Laurie at vacationlauren@gmail.com
Below, students at Prospect Lake Elementary School enjoy a bead making lesson
We offer presentations to groups in the community such as churches, recreation centres, Newcomers, and others. Below, Mavis Olesen talks about our work to Westshore Rotary Club. To arrange a community presentation, contact Peggy Frank at pegfrank@telus.net
SACK GARDENS
Below, Braefoot Elementary School Sack Garden Project: We had great fun growing veggies in sacks, as many African grandmothers do, with Ms Smart's kindergarten class, reading them the story Stone Soup, and singing Oats Peas Beans and Barley Grow
Below, Braefoot Elementary School Sack Garden Project: We had great fun growing veggies in sacks, as many African grandmothers do, with Ms Smart's kindergarten class, reading them the story Stone Soup, and singing Oats Peas Beans and Barley Grow
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa © 2010.