By: Grands ’n’ More Winnipeg

It is estimated that there are approximately 17 million orphaned children living in sub-Saharan Africa. African grandmothers, grieving the loss of their adult children to AIDS and often dealing with poverty and their own failing health, have stepped into the breach and are providing care for their orphaned grandchildren. In many cases, children as young as 8 years old may be the head of households and the sole support for their younger siblings.

Grands ‘n’ More Winnipeg (GnM) was established in 2007 and is one of more than 250 groups across Canada responding to the desperate situation of many grandmothers in Sub-Saharan Africa who are raising their orphaned grandchildren owing to the AIDS epidemic. Through the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s (SLF) Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign we support community-based projects in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Membership in GnM is open to women and men of all ages living in Winnipeg and environs.

Through the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, Canadian grandmothers are working in solidarity with the African grandmothers. We have said that we will not rest until the African grandmothers can rest. Since the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign was established in 2006, more than $20,000,000 has been raised, with GnM having contributed more than $300,000 of that total.

Art From the Attic (AFTA) is our newest fundraiser – one which we believe is unique in
Manitoba. On September 20, 2015 we will be hosting a giant sale of two-dimensional art (i.e. anything that hangs on a wall) which is being donated by members of GnM and by the general public. The sale will be held at the Corydon Community Centre (Crescentwood location) from noon until 4:30 p.m. The Regina Grandmothers group netted $15,000 at their first sale and $25,000 the following year. We anticipate the same success in Winnipeg. Excitement is building and art is beginning to pour in with an anticipated inventory of more than 1000 pieces by the sale date. 
(insert screenshot of easel)

This is your opportunity to pass on unwanted, surplus art and/or frames and to support a great cause at the same time! If you have art to donate or would like further information, contact: 
Betty at (204) 489-7137 or 
Heather at (204) 888-0834

Learn more about Grands ‘n’ More at www.grandsnmore.com or on Facebook.
Learn about the Stephen Lewis Foundation at  www.stephenlewisfoundation.org.