For upcoming Victoria Grandmothers for Africa meeting information, click here.
Upcoming Events in 2019
Past 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. You can watch our video here and the National Video here. 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
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
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
...........see what we got up to in 2017
Powered by Love Book Launch Nov 6 & 7
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
On October 23rd 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
On April 8th we held another very successful African Dinner. Castro Boeteng once again served up a fabulous dinner to approximately 300 people. This bi annual event is now in the planning stage for the spring of 2019.
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa © 2010.
