Members ReMember
Share your favourite memory from any of VG4A's 15 year history. We’ll feature some here, some on Facebook, and keep them for our history.
Send stories or photos to victoriagrandmothers4africa@gmail.com
Share your favourite memory from any of VG4A's 15 year history. We’ll feature some here, some on Facebook, and keep them for our history.
Send stories or photos to victoriagrandmothers4africa@gmail.com
Memory 1, Orleen: Textile Art Gala and Auction 2011
This month marks the tenth anniversary of a very ambitious fundraising event undertaken by two island Grandmothers’ groups. On March 12, 2011 a Textile Art Gala and Auction was held at the Victoria Conference Centre to raise funds for the SLF’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. The guest speaker was Stephen Lewis and the moderator was Sheryl MacKay, the CBC Radio host of North by Northwest.
The event was the culmination of collaboration between the Glacier Grannies of Courtenay/Comox and Victoria Grandmothers for Africa. A call went out to textile artists from the North Island Quilters for Community Awareness, from other island communities, from the mainland and beyond. By the summer of 2010 a collection of 51 pieces had been gathered and was ready to begin the travelling exhibition that would ultimately end up at the Martin Batchelor Gallery in Victoria for two weeks prior to the Gala. Over those months the textile art pieces travelled to communities on the island, on the mainland, to Kelowna, Calgary, Brandon and as far afield as the original Bay building in Winnipeg. Maria Box and Gillian Farrow from Courtenay/Comox were the custodians of the exhibition throughout its one month road trip to points east and safely guided it to its final destination at the Victoria Conference Centre.
The responsibility of organizing a gala of this size fell to Victoria Grandmothers for Africa. Months of dedicated planning by a committee headed by Joan Wenman ended in a magical evening. The back lit African silhouettes, conceived and created by Myrtle Schmidt, her daughter and son-in-law, transformed the room. The audience was transfixed with Stephen Lewis’ eloquence and compassion. The room was abuzz with bidding strategies as the silent and live auctions played out. In the end the textile art collection dispersed, only to be remembered in the accompanying art catalogue that the Glacier Grannies produced for sale. The final compliment of the evening came from Stephen Lewis who claimed he had never been at an event of this magnitude that had run on time the way this one had.
More Gala photos More Textile Art Photos
This month marks the tenth anniversary of a very ambitious fundraising event undertaken by two island Grandmothers’ groups. On March 12, 2011 a Textile Art Gala and Auction was held at the Victoria Conference Centre to raise funds for the SLF’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign. The guest speaker was Stephen Lewis and the moderator was Sheryl MacKay, the CBC Radio host of North by Northwest.
The event was the culmination of collaboration between the Glacier Grannies of Courtenay/Comox and Victoria Grandmothers for Africa. A call went out to textile artists from the North Island Quilters for Community Awareness, from other island communities, from the mainland and beyond. By the summer of 2010 a collection of 51 pieces had been gathered and was ready to begin the travelling exhibition that would ultimately end up at the Martin Batchelor Gallery in Victoria for two weeks prior to the Gala. Over those months the textile art pieces travelled to communities on the island, on the mainland, to Kelowna, Calgary, Brandon and as far afield as the original Bay building in Winnipeg. Maria Box and Gillian Farrow from Courtenay/Comox were the custodians of the exhibition throughout its one month road trip to points east and safely guided it to its final destination at the Victoria Conference Centre.
The responsibility of organizing a gala of this size fell to Victoria Grandmothers for Africa. Months of dedicated planning by a committee headed by Joan Wenman ended in a magical evening. The back lit African silhouettes, conceived and created by Myrtle Schmidt, her daughter and son-in-law, transformed the room. The audience was transfixed with Stephen Lewis’ eloquence and compassion. The room was abuzz with bidding strategies as the silent and live auctions played out. In the end the textile art collection dispersed, only to be remembered in the accompanying art catalogue that the Glacier Grannies produced for sale. The final compliment of the evening came from Stephen Lewis who claimed he had never been at an event of this magnitude that had run on time the way this one had.
More Gala photos More Textile Art Photos
Update!
VG4A's rhinoceros mascot, Gogo, donned her face mask and delivered a surprise package to Myrtle Schmidt's daughter and son-in-law. Tracey and Stephen created and produced the dramatic African silhouettes that were first showcased at the Victoria Conference Centre on March 12, 2011 at the Textile Art Gala and Auction event organized by VG4A. We wanted to thank them for 10 years of enthusiastic, behind the scenes support for VG4A.
VG4A's rhinoceros mascot, Gogo, donned her face mask and delivered a surprise package to Myrtle Schmidt's daughter and son-in-law. Tracey and Stephen created and produced the dramatic African silhouettes that were first showcased at the Victoria Conference Centre on March 12, 2011 at the Textile Art Gala and Auction event organized by VG4A. We wanted to thank them for 10 years of enthusiastic, behind the scenes support for VG4A.
Memory 2, Lisbie:
African Grandmothers Gathering in Swaziland, 2010
African Grandmothers Gathering in Swaziland, 2010
Lisbie and Elizabeth before the Gathering
They marched in the thousands, grandmothers from Ethiopia, gogos from South Africa, nya nyas from Kenya, sho shos from Zambia, nanas from Namibia, grannies from 13 African countries, marching through Manzini, Swaziland, in the first-ever International Grandmothers' Gathering on African soil. Striding out right alongside the African grandmothers were 42 Canadian members of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign; I was amongst them, marching in solidarity.
"Phezu Kom Khono!" rang out over a loudspeaker; "Raise your arms, women!" Thousands of voices took up the call. A thrill ran through me as thousands of individuals merged into one powerful stream, spilling onto the streets, surging up the hill, arms linked. Voices blended into one glorious harmony, deep and rich and powerful, punctuated by bursts of joyous ululations. I’d heard how important it was for women devastated by the pandemic to come together and share stories, song, dance. Now I felt their energy for real, and I was both exhilarated and in awe.
A generous sponsor in Canada had provided funding for a series of grandmother gatherings. This money, along with donated Aeroplan miles for travel, funded 500 grandmothers and support workers to come from 13 African countries. Canadians paid their own way, some through fundraising support from their grandmothers groups. We were there to meet at last the women we call our sisters, to listen to their stories, hopes and dreams, to learn from them.
I’ll never forget meeting Gogo Elizabeth at Tateni, a project that partners with the SLF, a few days before the gathering. I showed her a photo of my daughter’s family, thinking my grandsons’ cute faces would draw us two grandmothers together. She paid no attention to them, fixing instead on their mum. “Your daughter? Ah,” she said. “I had nine,” she said. “Now, only one.” Holding her hand, I suddenly saw the gulf between us, carved out by pain and unimaginable loss. But she put that moment of sadness behind her when the children were due back from school. As we waved goodbye, she was already heading for the kitchen to make sure their meal was ready.
In Manzini, we heard many similar stories of loss and challenge on the one hand, and dogged determination on the other. Eighteen separate workshops covered wide ranging topics on HIV & AIDS and poverty, gender-based violence, the desperate need for social security and sustainable economic empowerment.
Grandmothers and leaders from each project described solutions they’d invented out of sheer necessity. I could see grandmothers from other groups catching hold of an idea presented, and excitedly talking about how they could try that too. By the end, they clearly identified their immediate and long-term needs. Our job was to take notes, which were summarized in a call to action, the Manzini Statement.
"We stand here today battered," it begins, "but not broken. We are resilient and stand unwavering in our resolve to move beyond basic survival to forge a vibrant future for the orphans and grandmothers of Africa." The demands begin with economic independence, nutritious food and decent housing; include ongoing quality education and conclude with a richer quality of life for them all. African and Canadian grandmothers committed to turn the tide of AIDS. "We are strong, we are visionary, we have faith and we are not alone," we said in solidarity.
The whole statement is at https://stephenlewisfoundation.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/413/
We had our fun times too. I remember a ridiculous game of “guess the animal” yoga in the rain. Do you know Lion pose? Imagine a bunch of wet Canadians waiting for their safari bus in a half squat, arms up, tongue out, breathing out HAH! Or the chaos of a hundred-person conga line of laughing, singing women, snaking around a banquet hall to the music of a big band playing definitely African rhythms.
I went to Africa excited to meet the women whose stories inspired me to volunteer for the Campaign. I returned brimming over with joyous memories of dancing, singing, marching and listening to African grandmothers; I returned too with visceral memories of the pain and loss in their hearts.
There’s one moment that won’t leave my head. As we were leaving Manzini, a grandmother ran up to us and called out, “When will you stop?” I know what my answer is.
n.b. Swaziland has since changed its name to Eswatini
Memory 3:
Mary Horton, Laurie Wilson, Whitney Laughlin and Norah Macey
Memories of the Cycle Tours
Mary Horton
This photo was taken on Thursday, Sept 11, 2014 in the evening as a group of the cycle tour members walked back from the delicious potluck dinner provided by the Campbell River Grandmother Group. Many of us were first timers - not sure what to expect, but confident our extensive training, and our fearless leader Helen Pedneault, would ensure our completion of the 275 k distance. We were housed in the Vista Del Mar Motel — beds were soft, rooms smelled of stale cigarette smoke yet we were quite happy to be there, with the lovely view and proximity to FoggDukkers Coffee Bar directly across the highway - many cyclists took their breakfast over in the morning and sat on the beach at 6:00 a.m. warmed by the rising sun and delicious coffee. As I recall, the weather was stellar for the three riding days and the group bonded as we shared stories during the sumptuous coffee and lunch stops and deepened our friendships at our Qualicum Bay accommodation, the Casa Del Mar Motel - again, directly across the highway from the ocean where some brave souls went swimming at the end of the day’s ride. Dinner was at the Crown and Anchor Pub - again, a lovely buffet assortment. By the end of the second riding day, which was the longest at 105 k we were all happy to collapse into the luxury of the Chemainus Best Western, all becoming more familiar with one another as the bond deepened. We were supporting our African Grandmother Sisters and we were proud!
Day three brought us back to Victoria via Brentwood/Mill Bay Ferry and we triumphantly entered the Legislative grounds to a rousing welcome home. It was a fabulous experience, and I am so impressed by the number of women (and, of course Duncan!) who continue to participate, cycling and raising funds year after year.
Mary Horton, Laurie Wilson, Whitney Laughlin and Norah Macey
Memories of the Cycle Tours
Mary Horton
This photo was taken on Thursday, Sept 11, 2014 in the evening as a group of the cycle tour members walked back from the delicious potluck dinner provided by the Campbell River Grandmother Group. Many of us were first timers - not sure what to expect, but confident our extensive training, and our fearless leader Helen Pedneault, would ensure our completion of the 275 k distance. We were housed in the Vista Del Mar Motel — beds were soft, rooms smelled of stale cigarette smoke yet we were quite happy to be there, with the lovely view and proximity to FoggDukkers Coffee Bar directly across the highway - many cyclists took their breakfast over in the morning and sat on the beach at 6:00 a.m. warmed by the rising sun and delicious coffee. As I recall, the weather was stellar for the three riding days and the group bonded as we shared stories during the sumptuous coffee and lunch stops and deepened our friendships at our Qualicum Bay accommodation, the Casa Del Mar Motel - again, directly across the highway from the ocean where some brave souls went swimming at the end of the day’s ride. Dinner was at the Crown and Anchor Pub - again, a lovely buffet assortment. By the end of the second riding day, which was the longest at 105 k we were all happy to collapse into the luxury of the Chemainus Best Western, all becoming more familiar with one another as the bond deepened. We were supporting our African Grandmother Sisters and we were proud!
Day three brought us back to Victoria via Brentwood/Mill Bay Ferry and we triumphantly entered the Legislative grounds to a rousing welcome home. It was a fabulous experience, and I am so impressed by the number of women (and, of course Duncan!) who continue to participate, cycling and raising funds year after year.
Laurie Wilson
Although I have many fond memories, and some of them potentially more meaningful and important, my FONDEST memory in VG4A was the night before my first Cycle Tour in 2016, in Campbell River. I was rooming with Rose Mary that night. (You room with someone different every night which is one of the wonderful design aspects of this tour.) Everything about the evening was wonderful. We hauled our bikes up to our rooms at the Vista Del Mar, attended a get-to-know-each-other-and-the-plan meeting in one of the motel rooms, then dressed for dinner and car-pooled over to the hall where the Campbell River grannies put on an amazing potluck dinner with African decorations and songs and an absolute outpouring of good luck wishes for our cycling. (And yes, they did this every single year for 13 years! So far.) A large group of us opted to walk back to the motel. It was a beautiful evening and we started off up high with a gorgeous view across the strait and ended up down by the waterfront. When we returned, we were invited to bring a drink and a smile and get together in another of the motel rooms. Many chose to do so and Catherine Mills had brought orange, lime green and yellow nail polish (the colours in our shirts) and she and Helen Pedneault (or was it Mary?) painted all of our nails. There was lots of laughter and a few photos and a great sense of camaraderie. In addition, it felt like we were all doing something challenging and important and we were ready. As I typed this, it brought tears to my eyes, because 5 years later and older, and in the middle of Covid, I am starting to realize how rare and valuable these warm, shared times and projects truly are.
Although I have many fond memories, and some of them potentially more meaningful and important, my FONDEST memory in VG4A was the night before my first Cycle Tour in 2016, in Campbell River. I was rooming with Rose Mary that night. (You room with someone different every night which is one of the wonderful design aspects of this tour.) Everything about the evening was wonderful. We hauled our bikes up to our rooms at the Vista Del Mar, attended a get-to-know-each-other-and-the-plan meeting in one of the motel rooms, then dressed for dinner and car-pooled over to the hall where the Campbell River grannies put on an amazing potluck dinner with African decorations and songs and an absolute outpouring of good luck wishes for our cycling. (And yes, they did this every single year for 13 years! So far.) A large group of us opted to walk back to the motel. It was a beautiful evening and we started off up high with a gorgeous view across the strait and ended up down by the waterfront. When we returned, we were invited to bring a drink and a smile and get together in another of the motel rooms. Many chose to do so and Catherine Mills had brought orange, lime green and yellow nail polish (the colours in our shirts) and she and Helen Pedneault (or was it Mary?) painted all of our nails. There was lots of laughter and a few photos and a great sense of camaraderie. In addition, it felt like we were all doing something challenging and important and we were ready. As I typed this, it brought tears to my eyes, because 5 years later and older, and in the middle of Covid, I am starting to realize how rare and valuable these warm, shared times and projects truly are.
Whitney Laughlin
A special memory of mine was of one of the past Granny rides - Cycle Tour 2017 - when I was leading my group of cyclists on the TransCanada on the Nanaimo stretch when it was pouring rain so hard you couldn't see. And trucks passing were throwing water on us. Aware that I had a group behind counting on me, I was just trying hard to not lose it and just focus on getting everyone safely down the highway.
We got to the park in Nanaimo and all of the wonderful NanGo Grannies were there to greet us not just with food and blankets, but with towels and hot drinks. We were all so cold and wet, but their love and care
warmed our hearts and bodies.
A special memory of mine was of one of the past Granny rides - Cycle Tour 2017 - when I was leading my group of cyclists on the TransCanada on the Nanaimo stretch when it was pouring rain so hard you couldn't see. And trucks passing were throwing water on us. Aware that I had a group behind counting on me, I was just trying hard to not lose it and just focus on getting everyone safely down the highway.
We got to the park in Nanaimo and all of the wonderful NanGo Grannies were there to greet us not just with food and blankets, but with towels and hot drinks. We were all so cold and wet, but their love and care
warmed our hearts and bodies.
Norah Macey
said that walking into Centennial Square after the 2019 Cycle Tour was the highlight of her life so far. She had no expectations for it and was VERY tired after her long day of riding. When the two groups met up at the Selkirk Trestle, she could have gone straight home up through Banfield Park. She said she almost did because she was so tired but she decided to follow along instead. And then … the cheering, the photos, the speech from the mayor, the feeling of being part of something big and important made her feel fabulous! How wonderful is that?
said that walking into Centennial Square after the 2019 Cycle Tour was the highlight of her life so far. She had no expectations for it and was VERY tired after her long day of riding. When the two groups met up at the Selkirk Trestle, she could have gone straight home up through Banfield Park. She said she almost did because she was so tired but she decided to follow along instead. And then … the cheering, the photos, the speech from the mayor, the feeling of being part of something big and important made her feel fabulous! How wonderful is that?
Memory 4: Jocelyn
My “Magical Mystery Tour of Africa”
My “Magical Mystery Tour of Africa”
In 2007, a year after joining the Victoria Grandmothers for Africa, I headed off to Africa for 5 weeks to visit three countries which were all very different, South Africa, Malawi, and Ethiopia. From this part of the world, it is easy to think of Africa as just one country, but of course this is not the case. There are 54 countries that make up the African continent! My journey to Africa took place only a year after the formation of the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, and although I would have liked to visit some projects of the African grandmothers it was too soon. There was too much work for the grannies to do, and hosting Canadian women was unfortunately not on their agenda.
A few years after my first journey to Africa, in 2011 I returned to Africa, to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro with a friend who was newly diagnosed with Parkinsons. Erica phoned me form Ontario to see if I would help her raise support for the Parkinson Society of Canada. How could I refuse this adventure? I still vividly remember that phone call today. My climb was amazing and we made it to the top in a real “Canadian blizzard!”
Joining Victoria Grandmothers for Africa was of interest to me from the very beginning. Carol Judd and I were cycling along up near Sidney when she told me about the group which had newly formed. I immediately wanted to know more and somehow instinctively I understood what the Canadian grandmothers might be doing in Canada to support the African grandmothers. I had also had the opportunity to hear Stephen Lewis speak, and he was certainly part of the attraction for joining the Victoria group.
My reason for being part of VG4A has not changed from day one. I was eager to contribute, and when I learned about the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign I wanted to be a part of it. Over 15 years I have met amazing women who have spent far more time in Africa than I have. Their experiences are much deeper than mine. I am so proud of being part of a national movement of Canadian Grandmothers coast to coast to coast. When I first joined VG4A I was new to Victoria and knew almost no one. The opportunity to meet so many caring and talented women with such diverse backgrounds is incredibly unique.
I have a very close friend who lived most of her early years in various countries of Africa having grown up in a missionary family. My friend Beth told me many stories of her experiences. Beth and I could not have had more different backgrounds, yet we instantly bonded and continue to have a life long friendship. On my first trip to Africa I accompanied Beth to visit some of the sites where her non profit organization was working. This trip was not a luxury trip, nor a tourist trip. We travelled together and I was grateful for her knowledge and experience. I would have been overwhelmed if I had been on my own. Even with her support, the culture shock I experienced was significant.
Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa, is the country which I will explore with you on this “Magical Mystery Tour”. I spent one week in various parts of Malawi, and had a few different experiences. Beth and I started in Lilongwe, the capital city. We were invited to a celebration of a partnership of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. This celebration took place out in a country school, not too far from Lilongwe. I have many photos of this visit. The singing and dancing were enjoyable. I remember how hot it was, and how the dignitaries were directed to sit under an awning, while approximately two thousand school children had to endure the hot sun with no water.
We were presented with cold bottled water during the long speeches. It was hard to drink this water in front of all the local children and mothers. I scanned the huge crowd of children. Not one child had glasses. I am sure not all had perfect vision.
Our next stop was to visit an orphanage which was started by a Presbyterian minister over 20 years ago, to help with the thousands of orphaned children due to the AIDS pandemic. This orphanage was in the country, and had 500 children from birth to 18 years. Funds for the orphanage come from Europe, Canada, South Africa and Malawi to provide support. It is estimated there are over one million children orphaned by AIDS in Malawi. Beth and I spent 3 days at the orphanage. It was during this time that my opinion was confirmed that keeping children in their own communities surrounded by extended family in familiar surroundings would be preferable. There is no doubt however, that this orphanage did a great service to many children who otherwise would be likely left on their own to fend for themselves. Food, education, medical care, sports activities, and basic housing were all provided at some level. Some of the children have remained connected, “there are friends, there is family, and there are friends that become family.” I can still see faces of many of these children. It was hard to leave behind the lovely baby that I held in my arms. I will never forget this experience
There are many more things I can tell you about Malawi. It is largely an agricultural country and is very beautiful. The major industries are tobacco, tea, sugar, and sawmill products. Malawi also has a very large lake, which before leaving to head to Ethiopia, Beth and I had the opportunity to visit. Lake Nyasa has apparently more variety of fish than anywhere else in the world. We stayed at a “tent” resort which was largely under construction but suited us fine for an overnight. It was a time of reflection for all that I had experienced so far in both SA and in Malawi, and I had still three more weeks to experience in Ethiopia. And that is another story...
A few years after my first journey to Africa, in 2011 I returned to Africa, to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro with a friend who was newly diagnosed with Parkinsons. Erica phoned me form Ontario to see if I would help her raise support for the Parkinson Society of Canada. How could I refuse this adventure? I still vividly remember that phone call today. My climb was amazing and we made it to the top in a real “Canadian blizzard!”
Joining Victoria Grandmothers for Africa was of interest to me from the very beginning. Carol Judd and I were cycling along up near Sidney when she told me about the group which had newly formed. I immediately wanted to know more and somehow instinctively I understood what the Canadian grandmothers might be doing in Canada to support the African grandmothers. I had also had the opportunity to hear Stephen Lewis speak, and he was certainly part of the attraction for joining the Victoria group.
My reason for being part of VG4A has not changed from day one. I was eager to contribute, and when I learned about the Stephen Lewis Foundation and the Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign I wanted to be a part of it. Over 15 years I have met amazing women who have spent far more time in Africa than I have. Their experiences are much deeper than mine. I am so proud of being part of a national movement of Canadian Grandmothers coast to coast to coast. When I first joined VG4A I was new to Victoria and knew almost no one. The opportunity to meet so many caring and talented women with such diverse backgrounds is incredibly unique.
I have a very close friend who lived most of her early years in various countries of Africa having grown up in a missionary family. My friend Beth told me many stories of her experiences. Beth and I could not have had more different backgrounds, yet we instantly bonded and continue to have a life long friendship. On my first trip to Africa I accompanied Beth to visit some of the sites where her non profit organization was working. This trip was not a luxury trip, nor a tourist trip. We travelled together and I was grateful for her knowledge and experience. I would have been overwhelmed if I had been on my own. Even with her support, the culture shock I experienced was significant.
Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa, is the country which I will explore with you on this “Magical Mystery Tour”. I spent one week in various parts of Malawi, and had a few different experiences. Beth and I started in Lilongwe, the capital city. We were invited to a celebration of a partnership of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. This celebration took place out in a country school, not too far from Lilongwe. I have many photos of this visit. The singing and dancing were enjoyable. I remember how hot it was, and how the dignitaries were directed to sit under an awning, while approximately two thousand school children had to endure the hot sun with no water.
We were presented with cold bottled water during the long speeches. It was hard to drink this water in front of all the local children and mothers. I scanned the huge crowd of children. Not one child had glasses. I am sure not all had perfect vision.
Our next stop was to visit an orphanage which was started by a Presbyterian minister over 20 years ago, to help with the thousands of orphaned children due to the AIDS pandemic. This orphanage was in the country, and had 500 children from birth to 18 years. Funds for the orphanage come from Europe, Canada, South Africa and Malawi to provide support. It is estimated there are over one million children orphaned by AIDS in Malawi. Beth and I spent 3 days at the orphanage. It was during this time that my opinion was confirmed that keeping children in their own communities surrounded by extended family in familiar surroundings would be preferable. There is no doubt however, that this orphanage did a great service to many children who otherwise would be likely left on their own to fend for themselves. Food, education, medical care, sports activities, and basic housing were all provided at some level. Some of the children have remained connected, “there are friends, there is family, and there are friends that become family.” I can still see faces of many of these children. It was hard to leave behind the lovely baby that I held in my arms. I will never forget this experience
There are many more things I can tell you about Malawi. It is largely an agricultural country and is very beautiful. The major industries are tobacco, tea, sugar, and sawmill products. Malawi also has a very large lake, which before leaving to head to Ethiopia, Beth and I had the opportunity to visit. Lake Nyasa has apparently more variety of fish than anywhere else in the world. We stayed at a “tent” resort which was largely under construction but suited us fine for an overnight. It was a time of reflection for all that I had experienced so far in both SA and in Malawi, and I had still three more weeks to experience in Ethiopia. And that is another story...
