Grannies host luncheon, welcome honoured guest

May 7, 2014 · 0 Comments

‘Grandmother’s Embrace’, the local chapter of Grandmothers to Grandmothers (a Stephen Lewis Foundation initiative) held a luncheon on Friday, May 2nd at St. John’s United Church in Alliston.

The goal of the lunch was to raise funds and awareness for African grandmothers caring for their grandchildren, and in some cases their great-grandchildren, after their own children have passed away from AIDS.

The honoured guest that day was JoAnne O’Shea, one of the original members of the Alliston Grandmothers chapter and founder of the Barrie chapter – Grand & Grandothers!

“You don’t need to be a grandparent to join our group,” O’Shea said on their groups fun name. “You just have to be grand!”

O’Shea has just returned from a trip to Ethiopia, Africa, where she met and talked with African grandmothers.

“Africa was awesome,” O’Shea told the Times. “I went with the Stephen Lewis Foundation after collecting some Air Miles points and self-funding the rest of the trip.”

O’Shea was joined by 21 other grannies on her 3-week trip and although she stayed in a hotel at night, her days were spent trying to better understand the struggles of her African counterparts and how the connection with Canadian grandmothers has helped them cope.

“When we first got there they gave us these scarves,” O’Shea said (pointing out the scarf she was wearing). “They were all wearing the same T-shirt too, showing us that we are united through our physical presence, thought and clothing.”

The African grannies were also carrying signs, displaying welcoming messages, such as – “Thank you for helping us regain our solidarity” and “We are so thankful”.

The number of African’s affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa is staggering, but O’Shea believes the problem is getting better, due in part to the work of the grandmothers – from both continents. “I think the tide is turning. From the early 2000’s until today, there is a big change,” said O’Shea. “There is medicine now and education. The stigma is being lifted in great part to the role of these grannies. They are the front-line workers in the HIV/AIDS pandemic. If you want to know anything about this illness, ask them. They have become the experts.”

O’Shea, who recognizes it was a privilege to meet these amazing African women, has returned from her trip with renewed hope. “These women, and some men, are exhausted. They have no choice but to raise their grandchildren, stepping out of their golden years and back into an active parenting role. But they do it, and they do it together – as a community. They are inspirational,” she said.

The work of grandmothers continues, presumably until there is a cure, and likely beyond that. We can only hope that, that day comes soon, before more innocent children are orphaned.

By Wendy Gabrek