For Victoria Grandmothers for Africa meeting information, click here.
2020 Cycle Tour:
Cycling sub-Saharan Africa
Watch a slide show of the whole team here
Follow the teams!
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Stage 1 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Bukavu, Congo
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Stage 2. Bukavu, Congo to Karonga, Malawi
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"Creativity Coming from Covid"
Laurie Wilson looks back on the most successful Cycle Tour ever
Laurie Wilson looks back on the most successful Cycle Tour ever
Sept. 13 Zoom Gratitude to Grandmothers
Stefa's poem
This is the Year that the Grannies Did Ride
This is the Year that the Grannies Did Ride
August 13 Zoom Launch at Lunch
History of the VG4A Cycle Tours -- click here
by Jocelyn Green
by Jocelyn Green
Why Are We Riding? -- click here
by Lisbie Rae
by Lisbie Rae
Hear Stefa talk about
the 2020 Cycle Tour
in a radio interview
with Al Ferraby
on C-fax
Stefa Katamay, Chair of the 2020 Cycle Tour Working Group
How does this virtual ride work?
The VG4A 2020 cycle tour is a go yet in a different format. In light of continued requirements for physical distancing and near certainty of a second wave of COVID-19, the Cycle Tour Working Group landed on a cycle tour format that respects the health of cyclists. That said, commitment to raising money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign remains stronger than ever as grassroots organizations in sub-Saharan Africa cope with COVID-19 in addition to challenges created by HIV and AIDS. No, we’re not going to Africa; however, from August 17 – September 13, 2020 registered cyclists, women 55 years and older, will collectively cycle 18,107 km, the distance to cycle to most SLF-funded communities.
Here’s how the cycle tour will work. The 18,107 km distance has been divided into six sections, each of approximately 3,000 km. Team leaders will be assigned, given a section and will manage their team with each team riding 3,000 km. Although riders will cycle independently, once registered they will be randomly divided into teams that include riders committed to shorter or longer distances for the cycle tour. Each rider will determine for herself a distance to ride over the duration of the cycle tour. Team leaders will check in with team members and track distances on a weekly basis. Teams will be provided with information about the SLF projects in their section so that riders and donors can be more connected to the grassroots initiatives in Africa. This year’s cycle tour format allows for even more women 55 years of age and older to show our African sisters that “We will not rest until they can rest.”
Note: Registration for Cycling sub-Saharan Africa is now closed, with 70 women registered.
Here’s how the cycle tour will work. The 18,107 km distance has been divided into six sections, each of approximately 3,000 km. Team leaders will be assigned, given a section and will manage their team with each team riding 3,000 km. Although riders will cycle independently, once registered they will be randomly divided into teams that include riders committed to shorter or longer distances for the cycle tour. Each rider will determine for herself a distance to ride over the duration of the cycle tour. Team leaders will check in with team members and track distances on a weekly basis. Teams will be provided with information about the SLF projects in their section so that riders and donors can be more connected to the grassroots initiatives in Africa. This year’s cycle tour format allows for even more women 55 years of age and older to show our African sisters that “We will not rest until they can rest.”
Note: Registration for Cycling sub-Saharan Africa is now closed, with 70 women registered.
Past Events in 2020
Summer Covid Market
In the midst of a global pandemic, with strict limits on gatherings, how do you hold a successful market and fundraise for African grandmothers? Thanks to Elizabeth Sebesta and Lee Sixto you start by spreading out over two spacious yards, located across the street from each other. You invite members and friends to attend wearing face masks! Your market volunteers don face shields, record contact information and make sure that hand sanitizers are a prominent display item on every table. The result is a bit like a masked ball, as friends you haven’t seen in person for 6 months arrive to shop and visit briefly. (Thank goodness for voice recognition!) At the end of a “weather perfect” day your sales inventory is seriously depleted and you are thrilled to learn that you have raised over $3,500 in support of African grandmothers’ grassroots initiatives.
Market photo slideshow is here
Virtual Stride Walk
has raised over $9,250 so far!
Pledge pages are accepting donations until the end of the year.
has raised over $9,250 so far!
Pledge pages are accepting donations until the end of the year.
This spring Victoria Grandmothers and friends walked their way across Canada and back visiting other SLF grandmother groups along the way.
To comment, contact Sandra: 250 380 0187
Our Virtual Striders walked across Canada and back, over 21,755 km
Week 1 report, March 22 2020
Week 2 report, March 31 2020
Week 3 report, April 5, 2020
Week 4 report, April 12, 2020
Week 5 report, April 19, 2020
Week 6 report, April 26, 2020
Week 7 Report, May 4, 2020
Week 8 Report, May 11, 2020
Week 9 Report, May 18, 2020
Week 1 report, March 22 2020
Week 2 report, March 31 2020
Week 3 report, April 5, 2020
Week 4 report, April 12, 2020
Week 5 report, April 19, 2020
Week 6 report, April 26, 2020
Week 7 Report, May 4, 2020
Week 8 Report, May 11, 2020
Week 9 Report, May 18, 2020
Past Events in 2019
Christmas Social
Saturday December 14, 2019
noon till 2:30 p.m.
Saturday December 14, 2019
noon till 2:30 p.m.
VG4A members enjoyed a delicious pot luck lunch (thanks, Anne Strother and helpers!), a short meeting, and some fun social mixers (thanks, Laurie!) at our last meeting of the year. With a highly successful year's work to celebrate, we enjoyed getting to know each other better and sharing friendship as part of the holiday season.
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Seasonal Craft Sales had members working overtime in November -- 5 full day sales over 2 weekends. Well done!
Saturday, November 16 10:00 am - 2:00 PM Mount St. Mary’s
Saturday, November 16 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Goward House
Sunday, November 17 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Goward House
Saturday, November 23 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Doncaster School
Saturday, November 23 10:00 am – 4:00 pm First Metropolitan Church Hall
Saturday, November 16 10:00 am - 2:00 PM Mount St. Mary’s
Saturday, November 16 10:00 am - 3:00 pm Goward House
Sunday, November 17 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Goward House
Saturday, November 23 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Doncaster School
Saturday, November 23 10:00 am – 4:00 pm First Metropolitan Church Hall
Vancouver Island
Regional Gathering
Saturday, September 28, all day
click link above to go to Regional Gathering Working Group page
Regional Gathering
Saturday, September 28, all day
click link above to go to Regional Gathering Working Group page
Grandmother members from Vancouver Island and the Islands gathered in Victoria for an awe-inspiring Vancouver Islands Regional Gathering. Many members of Islands grandmother groups joined us on Saturday September 28th at the Salvation Army Victoria Citadel, 4030 Douglas Street.
We met long-time friends and made new ones. We attended one of 5 workshops, and heard keynote speaker Marlea Clarke tell of the circuitous route and negative effects of clothing choices made here in Canada on populations seeking safe and fair employment in many African and SE Asian countries. In the afternoon, Idah Mukuka Nambeya and Josephine Nabukenya brought news from the Campaign and inspiring work with youth in Africa.
We met long-time friends and made new ones. We attended one of 5 workshops, and heard keynote speaker Marlea Clarke tell of the circuitous route and negative effects of clothing choices made here in Canada on populations seeking safe and fair employment in many African and SE Asian countries. In the afternoon, Idah Mukuka Nambeya and Josephine Nabukenya brought news from the Campaign and inspiring work with youth in Africa.
photo by Jurgen Harding $118,838.75 raised by this year's Cycle Tour!
Colourful kanga flags waved, the Gettin' Higher choir sang, and a large crowd cheered the riders in and congratulated them on their astonishing achievement. This year's cyclists were bowled over by the level of support the tour generated. Thank you to family, friends, and neighbours throughout the Victoria and wider community for such a generous response to our pledge requests.
There were 31 cyclists on the 275 km ride from Campbell River to Victoria, and 6 on the 50 km ride in the Peninsula. This whole group of strong, resilient women rode in together to Centennial Square, led on the last leg by Mayor Helps. What an achievement!
Colourful kanga flags waved, the Gettin' Higher choir sang, and a large crowd cheered the riders in and congratulated them on their astonishing achievement. This year's cyclists were bowled over by the level of support the tour generated. Thank you to family, friends, and neighbours throughout the Victoria and wider community for such a generous response to our pledge requests.
There were 31 cyclists on the 275 km ride from Campbell River to Victoria, and 6 on the 50 km ride in the Peninsula. This whole group of strong, resilient women rode in together to Centennial Square, led on the last leg by Mayor Helps. What an achievement!
The Thinking Garden
6:30 p.m. August 29, 2019 Eric Martin Pavilion Theatre
Q&A with 3 African STARS of the film
Josephine and Mphephu, Basani (translator)
A film about resilience – three generations of older women in a village in South Africa came together in the dying days of apartheid to create a community garden. In the midst of severe drought and political turmoil, older women with limited access to land and little political voice joined together, beyond the household, beyond their kin, to make something new.
Hosted by Victoria Grandmothers for Africa and Movie Monday
If you missed this screening, you can borrow a copy from the Victoria library.
African Dinner
May 4, 2019
Close to 300 members and guests enjoyed Chef Castro's tasty African dinner in the beautifully decorated da Vinci Centre, while bidding on Silent Auction items -- all to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation. Congratulations to members for a wonderful event! More photos here . News flash! Castro Boateng named Chef of the Year by YAM magazine! Read about it here.
May 4, 2019
Close to 300 members and guests enjoyed Chef Castro's tasty African dinner in the beautifully decorated da Vinci Centre, while bidding on Silent Auction items -- all to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation. Congratulations to members for a wonderful event! More photos here . News flash! Castro Boateng named Chef of the Year by YAM magazine! Read about it here.
Summer Social
July 13, 2019
at the beautiful home of Anne Anderson
Thank you Anne, Pat and Georgie
for making us all so welcome
Moss St. Paint-In
July 20 2019
While selling refillable bottles and produce bags, VG4A members joined in an impromptu song composed on the spot about grandmothers and Africa-a-a-a. You never know what a tabling event will bring!
Photo credit: Susann Allnutt
July 20 2019
While selling refillable bottles and produce bags, VG4A members joined in an impromptu song composed on the spot about grandmothers and Africa-a-a-a. You never know what a tabling event will bring!
Photo credit: Susann Allnutt
Events in 2018
Granny Flash Mob
for
World AIDS Day
Victoria grandmothers staged a Flash Mob in Mayfair Shopping Centre on Nov 18. Scott Sedman organized a team of videographers and photographers (Jurgen Harding, Robert Auger, Jane Player, Fil Giulioni) to record the surprise on shoppers' faces and the fun the dancers had. Our video then became part of a National Compilation video released in honour of World AIDS Day, December 1. Thank you to all the dancers, (especially Sarah Stubblefield for leading rehearsals and the dance) and also to the kanga wavers, cheerleaders, recorders, grandchildren, and Mayfair staff involved -- you rock!
Another phenomenal success for the
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa Cycle Tours
September 7-9, 2018
Grand Total raised by all Island cyclists:
$84,840
50 km riders and supporters in Centennial Park 275 km riders ready to go in Campbell River
Rain couldn't dampen the spirits of these intrepid cyclists, as they either rode 275 km over three days from Campbell River to Victoria, or spent a wet Sunday cycling 50 km in the Saanich Peninsula. Along the way, other grandmothers groups from Campbell River, Merville, Courtney/Comox (Glacier Grans), Nanoose Bay (Oceanside Grannies), Nanaimo (NanGo Grannies) and Centennial Park (St. Andrew's Grandmothers) offered cheers and support, food, warm towels, hot drinks and more cheers to speed riders on their way.
A huge team effort went into this event. Most cyclists trained once a week all year round, ramping up from April to August. A large committee organized every aspect of the tours, from registration and finances to training rides, hospitality, publicity, choice of route, liaising with other groups, and ending with Welcome Home. Two teams in support vehicles travelled with the 275 km tour, one with the 50 km tour, to offer help and deal with problems or prevent them happening. Duncan Chiu for the 12th year in a row cycled as sweep for the 275, helping change flat tires (there were 4) and encouraging those at the tail.
The result? An event that brought Island grandmothers together to work in solidarity with their African sisters, who'd consider themselves lucky to own a bike, and who work so hard to raise the children in their care.
A huge team effort went into this event. Most cyclists trained once a week all year round, ramping up from April to August. A large committee organized every aspect of the tours, from registration and finances to training rides, hospitality, publicity, choice of route, liaising with other groups, and ending with Welcome Home. Two teams in support vehicles travelled with the 275 km tour, one with the 50 km tour, to offer help and deal with problems or prevent them happening. Duncan Chiu for the 12th year in a row cycled as sweep for the 275, helping change flat tires (there were 4) and encouraging those at the tail.
The result? An event that brought Island grandmothers together to work in solidarity with their African sisters, who'd consider themselves lucky to own a bike, and who work so hard to raise the children in their care.
Kathe Gerber, our intrepid leader Christine Scott, chair of the Welcome Home
photo: Helen Pednault photo: Liz Pierce
photo: Helen Pednault photo: Liz Pierce
Welcome Home Celebration, Sept. 9, 2018
Enjoy the slide show below
Photo Credit - Dennis Robinson
Summer Social 2018
at the lovely home of Anne Anderson (below right)
-- time to celebrate and socialise!
Check out the blog for more photos from Rose Mary and Daphne
at the lovely home of Anne Anderson (below right)
-- time to celebrate and socialise!
Check out the blog for more photos from Rose Mary and Daphne
2018 Virtual Stride Walk
February 14 - April 22
image c Virpi Pekkala, Finland
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa and their supporters walked, biked, swam, and exercised from Gaborone, Botswana to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia AND BACK!
Along the way, we learned about the projects supported by the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign
of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
A Virtual Walk is one in which instead of walking on one specific day, Grandmothers walk over several weeks and use pedometers or other technology to record their steps or distance. That means you can walk, cycle, swim wherever and whenever you want.
We started our Virtual Walk on February 14, 2018 and finished on Earth Day, April 22, 2018, about 9 weeks.
We reached Ethiopia and made it back to our starting point -- 20,600 km!!!
Working Group Chair: Dale Rolston - dalerolston@gmail.com Co Chair: Elizabeth McAuley - memcauley@gmail.com
Along the way, we learned about the projects supported by the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign
of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
A Virtual Walk is one in which instead of walking on one specific day, Grandmothers walk over several weeks and use pedometers or other technology to record their steps or distance. That means you can walk, cycle, swim wherever and whenever you want.
We started our Virtual Walk on February 14, 2018 and finished on Earth Day, April 22, 2018, about 9 weeks.
We reached Ethiopia and made it back to our starting point -- 20,600 km!!!
Working Group Chair: Dale Rolston - dalerolston@gmail.com Co Chair: Elizabeth McAuley - memcauley@gmail.com
2017 Highlights
Powered by Love Book Launch in November
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa held three Book Events to introduce Powered by Love with special guests:
Nompumelelo Gladys Mayaba, grandmother with GAPA, S. Africa; Daisy Mapheele, staff member of GAPA, S. Africa;
Joanna Henry, author;
Ida Mukuka, Senior Advisor to the Grandmothers Campaign
Nov 6 “Women Making Change in Africa” a conversation moderated by Dr. Vibert, UVic Centre for Global Studies, Turpin A102
Nov 7 St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 9691 4th St., Sidney: book launch with St. Andrew's Grandmothers Helping African Grandmothers and Tanner’s Book Store
Nov 7 Central Library, 735 Broughton St, Victoria: book launch with Munro’s
We are thrilled that the new book about the Grandmothers' Movement "Powered by Love" reached #1 on CBC's Canadian Best Seller list for non-fiction in November 2017
“If you’re looking for a book that renews your faith in humanity, this is it.”
— Atlantic Books Today
Winners of the Atlantic Book Awards were announced on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at a gala held at the Halifax Central Library in Nova Scotia. In recognition for its excellence in publishing, from concept and editorial through to book sales, Powered by Love: A Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa won the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association’s 2018 Best Atlantic Published Book Award!
— Atlantic Books Today
Winners of the Atlantic Book Awards were announced on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at a gala held at the Halifax Central Library in Nova Scotia. In recognition for its excellence in publishing, from concept and editorial through to book sales, Powered by Love: A Grandmothers’ Movement to End AIDS in Africa won the Atlantic Publishers Marketing Association’s 2018 Best Atlantic Published Book Award!
In October 2017 we sponsored two movies about African women at the forefront of change at the Star Cinema in Sidney
The AfriGrand Caravan
In 2010, African grandmothers, with granddaughters orphaned by AIDS, travelled from St. John’s to Victoria with stories of hope, inspiring others to join the Grandmothers Movement. This movie documents their journey.
Courtesy Stephen Lewis Foundation
The AfriGrand Caravan
In 2010, African grandmothers, with granddaughters orphaned by AIDS, travelled from St. John’s to Victoria with stories of hope, inspiring others to join the Grandmothers Movement. This movie documents their journey.
Courtesy Stephen Lewis Foundation
The Thinking Garden
A documentary about resilience, this features three generations of older women in a village in South Africa who come together to create a community garden. When women take matters into their own hands, local action in food production can give vulnerable people a measure of control over their food and their futures. Courtesy Dr. E. Vibert, UVic History
A documentary about resilience, this features three generations of older women in a village in South Africa who come together to create a community garden. When women take matters into their own hands, local action in food production can give vulnerable people a measure of control over their food and their futures. Courtesy Dr. E. Vibert, UVic History
Successful Christmas time Sales and Crafts events were held at the Hudson Market and the Cridge Centre. The group also participated in the VIDEA Christmas Fair Trade Sale and once again managed the coat check at the Out of Hand Christmas Craft Sale at the Victoria Conference Centre.
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Close to 40 women participated in our Annual Cycle Tours in September. Photos of both tours as well as the wonderful Welcome Home Celebration on September 10th are under the Photos drop down.
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50 km riders gather in Banfield Park 275 km riders gather in Campbell River
In April we held another very successful African Dinner. Castro Boeteng once again served up a fabulous dinner to approximately 300 people.
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa © 2010.
