The Abbotsford Gogos (Zulu for “grandmother”) celebrated their 15th anniversary at their monthly meeting on March 18.
The group gathered to remind each other of the reasons they had joined and the impact the various events have had in their lives.
Jean Douglas-Webb and Judy Johnson spoke about their trips to some of the projects supported by the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Douglas-Webb visited in 2010 and Johnson in 2014.
The trips were at the request of the Swazi (Eswatini) and South African grandmothers to bring media attention to their events. The Canadian grandmothers pay their own expenses and travel costs on these trips.
The Gogos raise money in support of African grandmothers raising their grandchildren orphaned by the HIV/AIDS crisis. Only 10 per cent of the funds are used for administration.
There are no offices or Canadian personnel in Africa. Idah Mukaka Nambeya is the senior adviser, on the ground, checking on the various projects and making sure their needs are met.
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To date, the Abbotsford Gogos have raised more than $193,000 and thank the community for their continued support. Fundraisers have included concerts by Calvin Dyck and Bernie and Red; fashion shows; teas; garage sales; farmers’ markets; cycling rides; craft fairs; lunches and dinners.
The local group was formed after hearing Stephen Lewis speak in 2008 at what was then University-College of the Fraser Valley.
He spoke abut the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign that he and his daughter Ilana Lansberg-Lewis started in 2006.
Lewis worked as United Nations special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa from 2001 to 2006. In this role, he drew attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis and convinced leaders and the public that they have a responsibility to respond.
When he returned to Canada, he realized that Canadian grandmothers could be mobilized to support their sister grandmothers in Africa who were raising their orphaned grandchildren.
The Gogos say that the cause is not just about fundraising; it’s emotional involvement with the understanding of the pain of loss and the strength required to raise grandchildren with very little, or none, of the social benefits that are available in Canada.
The Abbotsford Gogos’ next event is a Spring into Summer luncheon and fashion show on Saturday, April 29 from noon to 3 p.m. at Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Rd.
Tickets are $50 and are available by contacting Deb Marshall at 604-855-0472.
Visit “Abbotsford Gogos” on Facebook or abbygogos.wixsite.com/abbygogos for more information.
